IMMUNIZATIONS
Immunization Record Deadline
Summer/Fall 2023: Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Spring 2023: Thursday, January 5, 2023
Requirements Summary
All newly admitted students, newly re-admitted students, re-enrolled students, and students who have changed to on-campus students, must submit the Mason Immunization Record Form and any supporting immunization documents by close of business on the deadline.
Students must fill out Parts 1-3 (part 2 if applicable) of the Mason Immunization Record Form. A healthcare professional must transcribe (complete & sign) the other parts of the Mason Immunization Record Form. Students born after December 31, 1956, must provide documented proof that they have been immunized against certain communicable diseases. Accepted proof of immunization must be submitted for Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Meningococcal, and Tuberculosis.
All Mason students are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccination and booster vaccination. Read more here.
Immunization requirements are mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason University policy #6004. Student Health Services is responsible for collecting and maintaining students’ immunization records.
A late fee will be charged and a hold will be placed on the student’s Patriot Web account if immunization records or documentation are incomplete.
5 Steps to Submit Immunization Records
Required Immunizations & Proof of Vaccination Documentation
Proof of vaccination or immunity (through blood work) must be supported by documentation. A healthcare professional must transcribe (complete and sign) the Mason Immunization Record Form based on historical documentation or administration of shots. Submit copies of any titers lab reports. If needed, submit documentation for TB testing, chest x-rays and/or medical treatment. Documentation must be in English and include your full name and date of birth; please include your Mason G#.
Select each immunization to review requirements.
Tuberculosis
Regardless of age, all newly admitted or re-admitted students are required to complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire part of the Mason Immunization Record Form. The TB screening is required for all students as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health. Exemptions do not apply to the Tuberculosis Screening section on the Mason Immunization Record Form.
Part 4 – Immunization Record Form
If a student answers ‘yes’ to any question in the TB Screening section, a Tuberculosis test (TB test) or blood test must be performed within 3 months of the first day of classes at Mason. A tuberculin skin test, a quantiferon blood test, or a t-spot test will be accepted to meet the requirement. The Immunization Office must have the following documentation:
- Date placed
- Date read (48-72 hours after placement)
- The results in # (mm) form
If the TB test is positive or the student has a history of positive TB, the Immunization Office must have a copy of the test results along with a copy of the most recent chest x-ray report. The chest x-ray report must be within 3 months of the first day of classes at Mason.
If a student received treatment for TB or LTBI, provide documentation of medication, date started, and date completed.
Additional Resources
Tuberculosis Information is available in many languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and others) from the Virginia Department of Health and Medline Plus.
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis
A student must show proof of a tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) after age 11 as well as proof of a tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus/diphtheria (TD) vaccine within the past 10 years. If the vaccination was more than 10 years ago the student will be required to get a booster dose. Titer(s) are not accepted.
If you do not have a documented Tdap vaccination after age 11, you will be required to have a Tdap vaccine.
If you have a documented Tdap vaccination after age 11, then either a TD or Tdap vaccine within the past 10 years will meet this requirement.
Additional Resources
Vaccine information statements are available for TD and Tdap from the Immunization Action Coalition.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
A student must have two (2) doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine administered at least one month apart. First dose must be given on or after one year of age and after 1971 (for the combined MMR vaccine) or after 1967 (for the individual doses).
OR, a student can submit a titer report (blood test) indicating positive immunity. You are required to submit a copy of the titer report showing positive immunity. If the test shows negative or equivocal, the student will be required to update the MMR vaccination requirements.
Additional Resources
Vaccine information statements are available for MMR from the Immunization Action Coalition.
Meningococcal
A student must receive the Meningococcal Quadrivalent (A, C, Y, W-135) vaccine between the ages of 16-21. If a student received the vaccine before the age of 16, a booster dose is required. If you are 21 years of age or older you are not required to submit proof of Meningococcal vaccine.
Both Meningococcal ACYW and B have caused meningitis outbreaks on college campuses.
If you understand the risks and do not want to be vaccinated, you can read and submit a signed Meningitis Waiver on the Mason Immunization Record Form. Signing the waiver does not mean you cannot be vaccinated in the future.
The Meningitis B vaccine does not fulfill Meningococcal Quadrivalent (A, C, Y, W-135) immunization requirements. However, Student Health highly recommends the Meningitis B vaccine.
Additional Resources
More information about Meningitis is available from the Centers for Disease Control.
Vaccine Information Statements are available in many languages from the Immunization Action Coalition.
Hepatitis B
A student must provide documentation of the completed dose series to be considered immune to Hepatitis B. Or, a student can submit a copy of the titer results indicating positive immunity.
According to Virginia State Law, students are required to submit proof of vaccination or immunity against Hepatitis B disease or sign a Hepatitis B Waiver on the Mason Immunization Record Form indicating that they understand the risks and do not wish to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Signing the waiver does not mean you cannot be vaccinated in the future.
If a student is in the process of receiving the Hepatitis B vaccination series, but is not able to complete the series before the end of their first semester, the student must sign the waiver.
Additional Resources
Information about Hepatitis B is available from the Centers for Disease Control and the Immunization Action Coalition.
All George Mason University students are strongly encouraged to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster vaccination. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccination page for more information.
Provide documentation of a completed COVID vaccination dose series (1 or 2 doses) and COVID booster vaccination authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Upload COVID vaccination documentation to the patient portal.
Additional Resources
Information about COVID vaccines is available from the Centers for Disease Control and the Immunization Action Coalition link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about required immunizations, submitting the Mason Immunization Record Form or supporting documentation.
Immunizations Questions
A titer is a laboratory test that measures the presence and amount of antibodies in blood. A titer may be used to prove immunity to disease. A blood sample is taken and tested.
If the test is positive (above a particular known value) the individual has immunity. If the test is negative (no immunity) or equivocal (not enough immunity) you need to be vaccinated.
A Titer Lab Report is generated by the lab that tested the blood sample. The Titer Lab Report must include the test type, exact values, signature, and date.
Transcription means that a healthcare professional will review your immunization records, verify information, and fill out the needed information for the Mason Immunization Record Form. The Immunization Record Form is not considered transcribed if “see attached” is written in the sections the healthcare professional must complete.
Students can have Student Health Services provide transcription service for a fee. Click here for more information about transcription.
No, students cannot only submit shot/vaccination records.
The Mason Immunization Record Form must be transcribed (filled out and signed) by a healthcare professional. This can be your healthcare provider or Student Health Services.
For transcription service with Student Health, fill out Parts 1 – 3 (if applicable, part 2) of the Mason Immunization Record Form. Upload shot records and immunization documents through the Patient Portal. Email the Immunization Office to request transcription service following instructions on our website.
The Immunization Record Form and any supporting documentation must be received and completed by the appropriate deadlines.
Students with the Mason Immunization Record Form transcribed and signed by a healthcare professional may submit a partial form as long as the majority of the required information is complete.
The student must also submit the missing proof of vaccination for the remaining requirement(s) before the deadline. Students do not need to resubmit the entire immunization record form again.
Contact the Immunization Office (call 703-993-2135 or email immunize@gmu.edu) with questions about meeting requirements.
Log Into Portal
Visit the Patient Portal at https://gmu.medicatconnect.com. You will be directed to the log in page. Select “George Mason University” as your organization. You need your Mason Net ID (user ID) and patriot password. Complete 2-factor authentication.
You must set up 2-factor authentication (2FA) to log into the Patient Portal. Visit the Mason ITS 2FA website for set-up instructions.
To Upload Documents
Step 1: Take a picture or scan and save your documents individually. This is completed outside of the patient portal using your computer, scanner software/app or smart phone. If you are uploading multiple documents, save each document as a separate file.
- Images must be .png, .tiff, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif. Documents must be .txt or .pdf.
- Files must be smaller than 4 MB.
- Scan/save in black and white, or at a setting of 150 DPI to get a smaller file.
- Crop photos to only show the document.
- Use only letters and numbers in the file name. Do not include any special characters.
- Document names must be less than 60 characters.
- Do not upload a password protected file.
Step 2: Select “Upload” from the portal navigation menu.
Step 3. Choose the document you are uploading in the “Choose document you are uploading” drop down menu on the page.
Step 4: Click “Select File,” and locate the file on your computer or smart phone.
Step 5: Click “Upload” button. The document will be listed below, as a confirmation that the document was added to the queue. If you made a mistake, delete the file by clicking on the “X” at the end of the document name which is listed next to the Change box.
Documents you have uploaded will appear below the “Documents already on file” section as a confirmation they were successfully uploaded. Select “View file” to see document. Log back into the portal 48-72 business hours after successful upload to check your record status.
Log into the Patient Portal to check the status of your submitted form and records. The status will be updated after the Immunization Record Form or documentation is submitted and processed– typically within 48 business hours, however, it may take longer based on the volume of submissions.
Two ways to check your status:
- Select ‘Messages’ from the Patient Portal navigation menu to read the message about your record status. Read messages find out if your status is “complete” or “incomplete.” If the status is complete, you are done. If the status is incomplete, the message will explain what requirement is missing or needs updated. An email is also sent to the student’s Mason email account. The email will direct you to log into the Patient Portal. Check your junk/spam folder if you do not see a message in your inbox.
- You can also select “Immunizations – “View History” from the navigation menu. A message will state “Overall Status – Verified” once your immunizations are complete. If you have not met a requirement, then the vaccine will be listed under Missing Immunization. Vaccines will appear in the ‘Item on File’ section.
After you submit the required documentation, check the portal again for your updated record status.
When you upload a document to the patient portal, those documents will be listed in the “Documents Already on File” section on the Upload webpage. Click “View File” (check your computer downloads) to view what you uploaded.
You can also use the Patient Portal to check the status of your immunization submissions. Select Messages from the portal menu. You will get a secure message notifying you when your records have been processed. Depending on the volume of records that are coming in to Student Health Services, this may take several days.
Please continue to check your portal for status updates. You will receive a secure message after your records are processed.
Log into the Patient Portal. There are two ways to check for missing requirements:
- Select “Messages” from the navigation menu. You will be notified of missing or incomplete requirements once your records are processed. Read the message to learn more about how to complete the requirement.
- Select “Immunizations – “View History” from the navigation menu. If you have not met a requirement, then the vaccine will be listed under Missing Immunization. Vaccines will appear in the ‘Item on File’ section. A message will state “Overall Status – Verified” once your immunizations are complete.
- If you have an approved extension, your status will be listed as verified until the extension expires (if applicable).
Students should contact their health insurance provider to check their insurance coverage for immunizations and titers. Student Health Services cannot guarantee coverage, payment or reimbursement by your insurance company.
Students who have purchased the university Student Health Insurance plan have necessary immunizations and/or titers covered at 100% at Student Health Services. Details can be found in your Plan Details and Summary.
- Go to the Patient Portal at https://gmu.medicatconnect.com. Or, select ‘Patient Portal’ in our navigation menu.
- You will be directed to the log in page. Select “George Mason University” as your organization from the dropdown menu.
- Use your Mason Net ID (user ID) and patriot password to login.
- Complete 2-factor authentication (2FA). Visit the Mason ITS website for info and instructions to set up 2FA.
You will receive an email to your Mason email informing you that you have a message in the online Patient Portal.
The message will state that you must log into the portal to access the message. The email message will be from: NoReply[at]medicat.com. If you have a question about the validity of the email, please contact Student Health.
You may need to check your junk/spam/other mail folder(s).
Once you log into the Patient Portal, select “Messages” from the portal navigation menu. Unopened messages have an envelope icon.
Get a copy of your Mason immunization record through the online Health Services Patient Portal.
- Log into Patient Portal. Find log-in instructions here.
- Select “Immunizations” then “View History” from the Patient Portal navigation menu.
- Click the green Print button to download a pdf or print a copy of your record.
Student Health recommends that before graduating from Mason, you download a copy of your immunization record to keep for your records.
Students can also fill out and submit the Release of Health Records FROM Mason form to request a copy of their immunization record. Submission options are listed on the form.
There is no fee for students to obtain their immunization record.
Yes. Any student who will be meeting and/or living on a George Mason University campus (Fairfax, Arlington, Science and Technology, Loudoun, etc) must submit the Mason Immunization Record Form and immunization documentation.
Yes. All students, part-time and full-time, degree and non-degree students, living on or off campus, must submit the Mason Immunization Record Form and immunization documentation in order to attend classes at George Mason University.
Yes, all Mason students are required to submit the Mason Immunization Record Form and immunization documentation.
Tuberculin (TB) testing is a procedure for diagnosis of Latent TB Infection. This test is performed by either a tuberculin skin test or a blood test (T-Spot or QuantiFeron).
A Quantiferon test (QFT) is acceptable instead of the tuberculin skin test. If you choose the blood test, you should submit a copy of the lab report with your immunization records to the online patient portal.
If a tuberculin (TB) skin test is required for you, the test must be less than 3 months old from the first day of classes at Mason. A tuberculin skin test, a quantiferon blood test, or a t-spot test will be accepted to meet the requirement.
If you have documentation of a previous positive TB test, only provide documentation of history and a chest x-ray report. A chest x-ray report must be less than 3 months old from the first day of classes at Mason. Provide documentation of medication if taken.
No. A chest x-ray is only acceptable if you have tested positive for tuberculosis. You must complete a TB skin test or TB blood test less than 3 months from the first day of classes at Mason. The TB testing is required based on the screening questions on the Immunization Record Form.
No. A history of disease is NOT accepted as proof of immunization. It is recommended to have titers drawn to verify sufficient immunity. If immunity is not positive, you will be required to receive MMR vaccinations.
No. Students must provide proof of vaccination. Click here for requirements or view the Mason Immunization Record Form.
No. You will be unable to register without an up-to-date tetanus and diphtheria booster. The booster must be administered every 10 years. Students receiving their decennial booster must receive Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), or Td (tetanus/diphtheria) per listed requirements.
You can receive immunization from a healthcare provider or local health department. You can also schedule an appointment with Student Health Services (call 703-993-2135) for your immunizations for a fee.
Your healthcare provider must complete and sign the Mason Certificate of Medical Exemption for Immunizations Requirements Form (PDF). Medical diagnosis must be included. Upload it to the patient portal.
Newly admitted or newly re-admitted students should submit this form along with your Mason Immunization Record Form through the online Patient Portal.
Students must submit the original, signed, and notarized Virginia Certificate of Religious Exemption Form (Form CRE-1). The religious exemption form is located on the Commonwealth of Virginia website – search for “Religious Exemption Form Virginia”. The correct form will say Form CRE-1 at the bottom.
Exemptions do not apply to the Tuberculosis Screening section on the Mason Immunization Record Form.
Submission options:
- Upload to the online patient portal (preferred method).
- Or, mail to “Immunization Office, 4400 University Drive, MS 2D3, Fairfax VA, 22030”.
Student Health Services strongly recommends students complete the Meningitis B vaccine series, especially if you will be living in a dormitory or dorm-style residence.
Recently, there have been outbreaks of meningococcal B at several U.S. colleges and universities. And, both Meningococcal serotype ACYW and Meningococcal serotype B have caused meningitis outbreaks. Meningitis ACYW vaccine does not protect against Meningitis B.
Note: The Meningitis B vaccine does not fulfill the Meningococcal quadrivalent (ACYW) immunization requirements.
More information about Meningitis is available from the Centers for Disease Control.
Vaccine Information Statements are available in many languages from the Immunization Action Coalition.
All George Mason University students are strongly encouraged to submit COVID-19 vaccination documentation and booster documentation. Upload it to the online Patient Portal.
Visit our COVID-19 Vaccination page for more information.
{Updated 1/31/22}
No, it does not have to be transcribed onto the Immunization Record Form.
You are strongly encouraged to submit your COVID vaccination documentation along with the Immunization Record Form through the Patient Portal.
If your Immunization Record Form and supporting immunization documentation were received on time and are complete, then you will not receive a late fee. The Immunization Office can see the date of uploaded records, even if they are processed after the deadline.
If your records are not complete, you will incur a late fee, even if uploaded by the deadline. We encourage students to submit records early to ensure you have time to fulfill any missing requirements.
Yes. Immunization requirements are mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and George Mason University policy. Click here for information about incomplete records.
Late fees are applied for anyone not compliant with ANY immunization requirement by the listed deadline.
Log into the Patient Portal and select Messages from the navigation menu. You are notified of incomplete or missing requirements.
No. All immunization records and/or exemption forms should be uploaded to the Patient Portal.
You can choose to mail the Immunization Record Form or original, notarized Religious Exemption Form to the Immunization Office (4400 University Drive, MS 2D3, Fairfax VA 22030). Leave plenty of time for the forms to arrive prior to the deadline.
I picked the wrong university.
Clear your internet browser cache. Then select the correct university. Find instructions on clearing your cache on WikiHow.
My file is too large to upload.
Files must be smaller than 4 MB.
Tips to reduce PDF file size:
- Save the pdf using the “lowest file size” option available.
- Save in black and white.
- Save each page as a separate file.
You may find file size options under the advanced settings section of the software you are using. Click here for information from Adobe on compressing files.
Tips to reduce image file size:
- Save photos with lower resolutions of 96 DPI (dots per inch).
- Save as a .jpg or .jpeg.
- Shrink or crop images to include just the document.
- Take a photo of the document from further away, then crop the image. Check for a file size reduction.
- Save each page as a separate image.
You may find file size under the advanced settings section of the software you are using.
My file is not accepted to upload.
Ensure you are following upload instructions on the Patient Portal Upload page.
- Images must be .png, .tiff, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif.
- Documents must be .txt or .pdf.
- Files must be smaller than 4 MB.
- Use only letters and numbers in the file name. Do not include any special characters.
- Document names must be less than 60 characters.
Don’t see your issue here? You can report technical difficulties with our Patient Portal Error Report Form.
COVID Vaccine FAQ
Log Into Portal
Visit the Patient Portal at https://gmu.medicatconnect.com. You will be directed to the log in page. Select “George Mason University” as your organization. You need your Mason Net ID (user ID) and patriot password. Complete 2-factor authentication.
You must set up 2-factor authentication (2FA) to log into the Patient Portal. Visit the Mason ITS 2FA website for set-up instructions.
To Upload Documents
Step 1: Take a picture or scan and save your documents individually. This is completed outside of the patient portal using your computer, scanner software/app or smart phone. If you are uploading multiple documents, save each document as a separate file.
- Images must be .png, .tiff, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif. Documents must be .txt or .pdf.
- Files must be smaller than 4 MB.
- Scan/save in black and white, or at a setting of 150 DPI to get a smaller file.
- Crop photos to only show the document.
- Use only letters and numbers in the file name. Do not include any special characters.
- Document names must be less than 60 characters.
- Do not upload a password protected file.
Step 2: Select “Upload” from the portal navigation menu.
Step 3. Choose the document you are uploading in the “Choose document you are uploading” drop down menu on the page.
Step 4: Click “Select File,” and locate the file on your computer or smart phone.
Step 5: Click “Upload” button. The document will be listed below, as a confirmation that the document was added to the queue. If you made a mistake, delete the file by clicking on the “X” at the end of the document name which is listed next to the Change box.
Documents you have uploaded will appear below the “Documents already on file” section as a confirmation they were successfully uploaded. Select “View file” to see document. Log back into the portal 48-72 business hours after successful upload to check your record status.
When you upload a document to the patient portal, those documents will be listed in the “Documents Already on File” section on the Upload webpage. Click “View File” (check your computer downloads) to view what you uploaded.
You can also use the Patient Portal to check the status of your immunization submissions. Select Messages from the portal menu. You will get a secure message notifying you when your records have been processed. Depending on the volume of records that are coming in to Student Health Services, this may take several days.
Please continue to check your portal for status updates. You will receive a secure message after your records are processed.
All George Mason University students are strongly encouraged to submit COVID-19 vaccination documentation and booster documentation. Upload it to the online Patient Portal.
Visit our COVID-19 Vaccination page for more information.
{Updated 1/31/22}
No, it does not have to be transcribed onto the Immunization Record Form.
You are strongly encouraged to submit your COVID vaccination documentation along with the Immunization Record Form through the Patient Portal.
Individuals vaccinated in Virginia can download or request a copy of their COVID-19 and/or immunization record using the Virginia Immunization Information System. Individuals vaccinated in another state can contact the state department of health about immunization records. The CDC has a list of state immunization systems.
You may contact the provider who administered the vaccination to request proof of vaccination. This may be a health department, pharmacy, or another healthcare provider. Documentation should include your name, the name of the healthcare facility/provider, type of vaccine, and the date of vaccination.
If you received your COVID-19 vaccination at a Mason clinic, you must upload your vaccination documentation to the Health Services Patient Portal to have it documented in your Mason immunization record. Students are encouraged to upload documentation.
COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged. Experts are still studying how long your immune system protects you from COVID-19 after you had it — and they recommend that people who had COVID-19 and got better get vaccinated.
Emerging evidence shows that getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection to your immune system. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website to learn more.
If you have questions about the COVID vaccines, contact your healthcare provider to get answers to your questions.
Visit the Office of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management for FAQ about the Mason vaccine clinics.
Information about COVID vaccines is available from the Centers for Disease Control.