International Visitors and Observers

The Baylor College of Medicine Occupational Health Program requires all international visitors and observers to be in compliance with certain immunization requirements. You should have received this information from the International Services Office along with your application packet.

To make the check-in process for international visitors and observers as easy as possible upon arrival at the College, please ensure that all of the immunization information is complete. Be sure that your documentation includes dates of vaccines or dates and results of other tests. Do not submit records that only state that you have a particular vaccine without the relevant date and result. Please have a copy available for OHP to keep when you check-in. Do not provide us with your original records.

A $25 processing fee is required by OHP of all international visitors and observers at the time of check-in to Baylor College of Medicine. This is in addition to other fees that may be assessed at time of check in.

If you still need immunizations or titers at the time of your arrival, OHP can provide them. However, the cost is in addition to other fees you pay to Baylor and this does not guarantee that you will start on time.

Declination

• Active duty with U.S. military; or
• Medical contraindication; or
• Pregnancy; or
• Member of acknowledged religious group that does not allow immunization with written letter from leader of group

Hepatitis B (Series of Three)

• First dose
• Second dose one month after the first dose
• Third dose five months after second dose; or
• Serologic confirmation of immunity

Measles (Rubeola)

• Applies only to those born after Dec. 31, 1956
• Acceptable proof of prior immunization with two doses of vaccine on or after first birthday at least 30 days apart and one dose given since 1980; or
• Serologic confirmation of immunity

Mumps

• Applies only to those born after Dec. 31, 1956
• Acceptable proof of prior immunization with one dose of vaccine on or after first birthday; or
• Serologic confirmation of immunity

Rubella

• Acceptable proof of prior immunization with one dose of vaccine on or after first birthday; or
• Serologic confirmation of immunity

Tetanus/Diphtheria

• Basic series plus one dose within last 10 years

Tuberculosis

• Proof of a positive TB test (PPD); or
• TB test within the last year
• Only Mantoux results (in mm) are accepted.
• If positive, chest x-ray is required.
• Chest x-ray, in lieu of a PPD, is not acceptable.
• BCG vaccination does not contraindicate receiving a PPD.

Varicella

• Serologic proof of antibody; or
• Immunization (two) at appropriate interval

Requirements are based on Texas Department of State Health Services regulations, OSHA policy and Centers for Disease Control recommendations.