Post Acceptance Requirements for Physician Assistants

Physician Assistant Admissions


The GWU PA Studies Program immunization requirements are described in detail below. In addition, the post-acceptance packet will include instructions for uploading 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.
  • CDC guideline (link) for COVID -19 vaccination.

NOTE: Failure to comply with the vaccination requirements could result in the inability to matriculate or delayed progression through the program and graduation.

  • Compliance with all conditions of acceptance by the deadlines provided by the program