Policies on Student Identification and Immunizations

Identification

ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.04

Students must ALWAYS introduce themselves to patients and their family members and clinical site staff by stating their full name and title of “PA student.”

Students will wear the Gardner-Webb University Department of PA Studies student identification badge (proper photo identification issued by the university) whenever they are in their official capacity in a healthcare facility as a student of the Department of PA Studies. The identification name badge must be affixed to attire on the upper chest and not below the chest area (e.g., not on the belt, pants, or skirt).

Student ID badges must always be available while in the classroom.

  • Access to the building after regular business hours is only available with a Dawg Tag.
  • Access to CoHS Rooms 218, 219, 200, and 220 is only available with a Dawg Tag.

Immunization Requirements

ARC-PA 6th ed Standards A3.09; A3.18

North Carolina law requires all college/university students to be immunized at enrollment.1 The GWU Department of PA Studies also adheres to the general guidelines for recommended adult and healthcare provider immunizations according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The CDC 2025 Adult Immunization Schedule can be viewed here.2

All accepted applicants must submit documentation of immunizations, titers, or proof of immunity before NOVEMBER 15 to be registered for spring classes. Furthermore, the GWU PA Program requires that students comply with these requirements through graduation.

Please note that required laboratory evaluations and immunizations are subject to review and modification based on CDC and ACIP recommendations. Students will be notified of any changes and required to comply with any mandated changes upon receipt of notice from the GWU Department of PA Studies.

Important Notes Regarding Vaccination Requirements:

  1. The curriculum requires clinical SCPEs to obtain a Master of PA Studies degree. Therefore, the inability to participate in clinical SCPEs due to noncompliance with this immunization policy will result in a professionalism violation (see Part II, section 14), delay in graduation, or even dismissal from the program.
  2. PA students will not be allowed to participate in any patient care activities, including but not limited to early clinical experiences, community health outreach events, international mission trips, and clinical SCPEs, until all immunization requirements have been met.

The GWU PA Studies Program immunization requirements are described in detail below. In addition, the post-acceptance packet will include information regarding the online platform where students will upload this required documentation.

Hepatitis B vaccination:

  • 2-dose series only applies when two (2) doses of Heplisav-B* are used at least four (4) weeks apart
  • 3-dose series Engerix-B, PreHevbrio*, or Recombivax HB at 0, 1, 6 months
  • 3-dose series HepA-HepB (Twinrix at 0, 1, 6 months)
  • 4-dose series HepA-HepB (Twinrix) accelerated schedule of 3 doses at 0, 7, and 21–30 days, followed by a booster
    dose at 12 months
    AND
  • Record of a titer* validating current immunity.
  • If the quantitative titer is negative, another two (2)-, three (3)- or four (4)-dose Hepatitis B series should be
    completed, and a quantitative titer should be repeated according to guidelines.

Influenza vaccination:

  • One (1) dose of influenza vaccine each year by October 1.
  • Provide proof of receiving the influenza vaccine no later than October 1 annually while enrolled in the program.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination:

  • Record of titer validating current immunity or documentation of a two (2)-dose vaccine series administered according to guidelines.

Polio vaccination:

  • Record of the completed primary series of at least three (3) vaccinations.
  • If there is no record of the Polio vaccine, doses 1 and 2 are administered with 1-2 months in between, and the 3rd dose is administered 6-12 months after the 2nd dose.

Varicella vaccination:
**A history of a previous infection is not sufficient evidence of immunity.

  • Record of titer validating current immunity or a two (2) vaccine series administered according to guidelines (see below).
    No evidence of immunity
  • Requires a 2-dose series 4–8 weeks apart if previously did not receive the varicella-containing vaccine (VAR or MMRV) for children)
  • If previously received one (1) dose of varicella-containing vaccine, one (1) dose at least four (4) weeks after the first dose
    Evidence of immunity
  • Documentation of 2 doses of varicella-containing vaccine at least four (4) weeks apart, diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella or herpes zoster by a health care provider, laboratory evidence of immunity or disease

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccination:

  • Provide a record of receiving one (1) dose of Tdap followed by Tdap or Td booster every ten years.
  • If previously did not receive Tdap at or after age 11 years: 1 dose Tdap, then Td or Tdap every 10 years.

Tuberculosis

  • Two-step tuberculosis skin test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA – TB blood test): Must be completed within the four (4) months preceding the first day of classes. BCG vaccination does not prevent testing.
  • For students who have received the BCG vaccine, an IGRA, either QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-G) or T-Spot, is preferred.
  • If TST or IGRA is positive or if there is a history of previous positive TB testing, a negative chest x-ray is required within the four months preceding the first day of classes. If a student is allergic to TB testing, a chest x-ray is required for screening.
  • If a student has recently received a live virus vaccine, TB testing should be delayed for four (4) weeks.
  • Annual re-testing for tuberculosis (TB) is required and must be the two-step TB test (unless contraindicated by a previous severe reaction) to meet clinical year requirements and must be submitted by October 1 via Castlebranch.
  • Before starting clinical SCPEs, students must have documentation of completing a two-step TB test. In addition, students must maintain up-to-date annual two-step TB testing throughout their clinical year. After a positive TST or IGRA test result and subsequent chest x-ray, students must be evaluated by the Health Department. If the chest X-ray is positive, the applicant/student will not be allowed to enter or continue training until treated and cleared by an infectious disease specialist.

COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended):

NOTE:

  • All COVID-19 vaccine requirements are subject to the respective stakeholder/healthcare organization standards at clinical sites. Failure to comply with the clinical site’s standards will result in delayed progression through the program or graduation.
  • Clinical sites may require additional vaccinations and documentation. Compliance with their requirements is mandatory, and any expense incurred will be the student’s sole responsibility.
  • Students with a medical contraindication for specific vaccinations may have additional requirements mandated (e.g., influenza vaccination contraindication may result in students being required to wear masks during the entire influenza season). However, clinical facilities reserve the right not to permit students who have not received the influenza vaccination for medical reasons, even with masks. In addition, changes in clinical site requirements may necessitate a last-minute shift in clinical rotation assignments or the inability to be placed on supervised clinical preceptor experiences.

*A titer is a blood test to measure the level of immune system antibodies in the blood after vaccination.

  • Positive titer = immunity
  • Negative titer = no immunity, and vaccination must be repeated/administered.
  • Equivocal titer = not enough immunity, and vaccination must be repeated.
  1. NC DPH, WCH: Immunization: Schools and Childcare Facilities. Updated November 27, 2025.
    https://immunization.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schools/collegesuniversities.htm
  2. Adult Immunization Schedule – Healthcare Providers | CDC. Updated October 7, 2025.
    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-
    age.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html

International Travel Immunizations
Students participating in international rotations must meet CDC immunization recommendations for international travel to that country before travel dates.