Kenyon College prioritizes the health of the entire campus community by requiring immunizations for all students. Our vaccine guidelines align with recommendations from the American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), as published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Required Vaccines

All first-year and transfer students must provide proof of vaccination before arriving on campus.

  • Hepatitis B: three doses 
  • Meningococcal ACWY: one dose after age 16
  • Meningococcal B: completed series in two or three doses of Bexsero or Trumenba
    Doses must be from the same manufacturer (not interchangeable) 
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): two doses
  • Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): one dose within the last ten years
  • Varicella (Chickenpox): two doses
    If you have had the disease, a lab titer result must be provided to confirm immunity

Highly Recommended

These vaccines are highly recommended, but not required before arriving on campus.

  • COVID-19: Booster recommendations vary based on seasonality and circulating strains
  • Hepatitis A: two doses
  • HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
    Two doses if the series was started before age 15
    Three doses if the series was started at age 15 or older
  • Influenza: annual flu vaccine (offered on campus during fall semester)
  • Polio (IPV): three doses

Records Required

At the bottom of this page, there are directions for uploading the required documentation into the student health portal. Students are required to upload forms and documentation into their health portal, including their:

  • Health History
  • Immunization History with Supporting Vaccine Records
  • Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Requirement

Kenyon College follows the American College Health Association guidelines for Tuberculosis (TB) screening, based on recommendations from the CDC.

All first-year and transfer students must complete the TB Screening Questionnaire in the student health portal before arriving on campus. This questionnaire helps determine if additional testing is needed based on individual risk factors, such as:

  • Travel to or residence in a country with high TB prevalence
  • Close contact with someone diagnosed with active TB
  • Prior positive TB test or symptoms of TB infection

If your screening indicates a higher risk, you may be required to complete further testing, such as a TB skin test (PPD), blood test (IGRA) or a chest X-ray. Our Health Services team will guide you if additional steps are needed.

Vaccine Exemption Requests

Kenyon College prioritizes the health and safety of our community and expects that most students will be fully vaccinated to help reduce the risk of infection. However, the College recognizes two types of exemptions to immunization requirements: medical exemptions and religious exemptions. All exemption requests must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than June 1, 2025, at noon to allow for timely processing. Exemption requests should be uploaded as a document in the student health portal. Kenyon College may request additional information to review and evaluate exemption requests.

Medical Exemptions

A medical exemption may be granted if a student has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. Common reasons for medical exemptions include:

  • A weakened immune system due to illness or prescribed medication
  • A severe allergy to a vaccine or one of its ingredients
  • A history of a serious medical reaction to a vaccine requiring medical care

How to Request a Medical Exemption
To apply for a medical exemption, students must submit a letter from a licensed medical provider (physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant) that includes:

  • The student's full name and date of birth
  • A clear medical justification for the exemption

Religious Exemptions

A religious exemption may be granted to accommodate a student's sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observations that prevent them from receiving a vaccine.

How to Request a Religious Exemption
To apply for a religious exemption, students must submit one of the two options:

1. A written and signed personal statement (signed by a parent/guardian if the student is under 18) that includes:

  • An explanation of the student's religious belief, practice or observation
  • A description of the specific exemption being requested
  • A statement explaining how the exemption resolves the conflict between the student's religious beliefs and the College’s immunization requirement

2. A letter from a clergy member or religious leader that includes:

  • The student's full name
  • A description of the student's sincerely held religious belief, practice or observation
  • A statement explaining why the immunization cannot or should not be received

Restrictions for Non-Immunized Students

If a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak occurs, non-immunized students will receive guidance from the Cox Health and Counseling Center in consultation with local public health authorities.

During an Outbreak

  • Non-immunized students may be required to leave campus if conditions are deemed unsafe by the College and public health officials.
  • Students may return to classes and housing once the local public health officer and Cox Health and Counseling leadership determine it is safe.
  • Academic and financial responsibilities remain with the student — Kenyon will not refund fees, compensate for missed coursework, or transition classes to a hybrid format due to an outbreak-related absence.

Housing Adjustments

  • Residential assignments may be modified if necessary to protect the health of students.
  • Changes will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Office of Residential Life.

Directions to Complete Your Forms and Upload Records

  1. Log in to the PyraMED student health portal using your Kenyon username and password.
  2. Authenticate with Duo. 
  3. Click My Forms on the student health portal home page.
  4. Select Health History Form, complete it, and click Submit.
  5. Repeat steps 1–3 for Immunization History Form, and the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire.
  6. Please note that within the Immunization History form, you will be required to submit supporting documentation. (Upload ALL your vaccine records and/or titers to prove immunity). You will have the option to choose “Immunization Record” and can upload multiple times from files stored on your computer. Accepted file formats: PDF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, BMP or GIF. Click save.

If you have any difficulties or questions, we're here to help!

You are also welcome to call or email the Cox Health and Counseling Center directly: