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Definitions
None.
Students, Faculty, and Staff Members who Experience a Serious Communicable Disease
Individuals diagnosed with a serious communicable disease are expected to follow the advice of the Vermont Department of Health, their healthcare provider (students – Center for Health and Wellbeing, staff and faculty – primary care provider) – specifically with regard to avoiding school or work until the likelihood of spreading the illness has abated.
Pre-Exposure Prevention of Communicable Disease for all Students
In compliance with Vermont law, all incoming first year and transfer students to ¶¶Òõ̽̽ are required to have documentation of the following immunizations:
- Td (tetanus/diphtheria) or Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis)
- 2 vaccines against Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
- 3 Hepatitis B vaccines (HBV)
- 1 meningococcal conjugate (MCV4)
- 2 Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines or the date the student had chickenpox
Incoming first year and transfer students who do not provide verification of immunization as described above by the end of their first semester will not be allowed to register for the second semester.
In addition to this requirement, all students are strongly encouraged to receive the influenza vaccine during the fall semester of each new academic year, and the University further reserves the right, with appropriate notice, to require additional vaccinations in response to emergent public health needs. Students may receive required vaccines at the Center for Health and Wellbeing, a pharmacy, or at their own health provider’s office.
The Director of Medical Services in the Center for Health and Wellbeing is responsible for working to ensure that the University complies with Vermont law regarding immunization requirements for first year and transfer students, including operation of applicable religious and medical exemption procedures.
Pre-Exposure Prevention of Communicable Disease for Staff and Faculty members not Engaged in the Use of Bio-hazardous Materials.
The University recommends that staff and faculty, in consultation with their health care provider, comply with the .
Pre-Exposure Prevention for Students in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Information detailing the immunization requirements for students in the College of Medicine can be found in the Student Handbook (PDF).
Information detailing the immunization requirements for students in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences can be found here at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Clinical Mandatories webpage.
Incoming students in these Colleges who do not meet the immunization requirements above will be ineligible to participate in clinical and/or educational activities until they have completed these requirements.
All students in clinical rotations are expected to use personal protective equipment in accordance with procedures in effect at the clinical site, and in conformance with applicable provisions of their program’s respective handbook.
The Associate Dean for Student Affairs is responsible for ensuring compliance with this procedure in the College of Medicine. The Associate Dean is responsible for ensuring compliance with this procedure in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Pre-Exposure Prevention for Staff and Faculty in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Staff and faculty engaged in clinical activity in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are expected to maintain compliance with the Centers for Disease Control’s .
All staff and faculty engaged in clinical activities are expected to use personal protective equipment in accordance with procedures in effect at the clinical site.
Staff/faculty supervisors or the compliance office internal to a department or college, as applicable, are required to verify on-going compliance of staff and faculty members, who remain individually responsible for their own compliance with CDC recommendations.
Pre-Exposure Prevention for Students, Staff, and Faculty Conducting Research Involving the use of Bio-Hazardous Material
All students, faculty, and staff who are exposed to biohazards in the course of their study or work are expected to comply with the Standard Operating Procedure for Safe Use of Biological Hazards for the laboratory in which they are working. This includes receiving appropriate immunizations and the correct use of personal protective equipment.
The Director of the Laboratory or the Principal Investigator of the study in which the student, staff, or faculty member is conducting research is responsible for ensuring compliance with the University’s Standard Operating Procedure for the Safe Use of Biological Hazards.
Management of Exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens or Communicable Disease for Students in the Colleges of Medicine and Nursing and Health Sciences
Students in the College of Medicine and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences engaged in clinical activities are expected to utilize recommended personal protective equipment in accordance with site policy, and in conformance with applicable provisions of their program’s respective handbook. If exposure occurs, students who are engaged in clinical activities at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Medical Center or in the Burlington area should inform their attending physician or clinical instructor and seek immediate evaluation at the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Medical Center Emergency Department.
Students who are engaged in clinical rotations outside of the Burlington area and become exposed, should follow the protocols for immediate evaluation at their rotation site.
Students must report exposure incidents to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs (College of Medicine) or the Associate Dean (College of Nursing and Health Sciences). These individuals are responsible for reporting the event to the University’s Risk Management Office.
Post-exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens or Communicable Disease for Students, Staff, and Faculty Conducting Research Involving the use of Bio-hazardous Material
Students, staff, and faculty exposed to blood-borne pathogens or to communicable diseases without the use of protective personal equipment should seek immediate evaluation in ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Medical Center Emergency Department and should notify their Principle Investigator and/or Director of the laboratory.
The Principal Investigator or Laboratory Director is responsible for notifying the University’s Risk Management Department of all such events.
Infectious Diseases Representing a Public Health Threat to the University Community
The Director of Medical Services in the Center for Health and Wellbeing, in collaboration with the chair of the University’s Emergency Operation Group (EOG) and the Vermont Department of Health, will monitor developments related to local infectious outbreaks and potential epidemic or pandemic events. In cooperation with local, state, regional, and federal resources, the Emergency Operations Group will formulate an action response designed to respond effectively to the threat and minimize harm to the University community.
Related Documents/Policies
Is there education available?
Training related to this policy is as follows:
| Training Topic: | Safety Around Bloodborne Pathogens training "BBP: CITI, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens" |
|---|---|
| Training Audience: | ¶¶Òõ̽̽ employees at risk for contact with human blood, tissues, human cell lines, or other potentially infectious material. |
| Method of Delivery: | Online: Risk Management CITI Online Training |
| Delivered By: | Risk Management & Safety |
| Frequency: | Within 30 days of hire and annually thereafter. |