2008 Woodie Awards
Banner to block students without vaccinations
Matthew Schroyer
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
Students may run into an unexpected problem when they attempt to register for classes this semester. That is, if they don't have their immunization record in order.
When Banner opens Oct. 15, students will have to be up-to-date with Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) vaccinations, and have the documentation to prove it. Entering students and transfer students must have received their Mumps, Measles and Rubella shots, also known as MMR.
If not, they cannot register for classes, and may be charged a $25 fine.
Previously, students received notifications through the mail, warning of the consequences of not being up-to-date. This semester, Health Services has done away with the snail mail and sent e-mails instead, which were sent to students' SIUE email last week.
Head Nurse Susan Grimes said the switch was made because of the move to the Banner system, which allows students to check if they are in compliance from the computer.
Grimes said noncompliance is a problem that comes up every year. Ten percent of students either do not have proper paperwork, or do not have the shots.
"That's still 1,350," Grimes said. "It's a lot of students, but when you look at it as 10 percent, it doesn't look it."
Despite sending letters and e-mails, Grimes said the efforts of Health Services are not always effective.
We try and try, but we don't know how to do it," Grimes said.
All required immunizations are available at Health Services. Both the TD and the MMR shots cost $6 for students, which are typically covered by a student's insurance.
If students are up to date with their shots, but are not properly documented, they can call Health Services at 650-2842 to find out what documents are required.
Immunizations are not exclusively a matter of public safety; they are also a matter of state law. Illinois passed the most recent laws on immunizations in 1990 after a measles outbreak, Grimes said.
Dean of Students Jim Klenke urged students to keep up to date on immunizations and stay in line with state law. Klenke warned that students are at high risk because of the close nature of the university environment.
"We're basically asking them to work with us," Klenke said. "It's for the benefit for all."
When Banner opens Oct. 15, students will have to be up-to-date with Tetanus and Diphtheria (TD) vaccinations, and have the documentation to prove it. Entering students and transfer students must have received their Mumps, Measles and Rubella shots, also known as MMR.
If not, they cannot register for classes, and may be charged a $25 fine.
Previously, students received notifications through the mail, warning of the consequences of not being up-to-date. This semester, Health Services has done away with the snail mail and sent e-mails instead, which were sent to students' SIUE email last week.
Head Nurse Susan Grimes said the switch was made because of the move to the Banner system, which allows students to check if they are in compliance from the computer.
Grimes said noncompliance is a problem that comes up every year. Ten percent of students either do not have proper paperwork, or do not have the shots.
"That's still 1,350," Grimes said. "It's a lot of students, but when you look at it as 10 percent, it doesn't look it."
Despite sending letters and e-mails, Grimes said the efforts of Health Services are not always effective.
We try and try, but we don't know how to do it," Grimes said.
All required immunizations are available at Health Services. Both the TD and the MMR shots cost $6 for students, which are typically covered by a student's insurance.
If students are up to date with their shots, but are not properly documented, they can call Health Services at 650-2842 to find out what documents are required.
Immunizations are not exclusively a matter of public safety; they are also a matter of state law. Illinois passed the most recent laws on immunizations in 1990 after a measles outbreak, Grimes said.
Dean of Students Jim Klenke urged students to keep up to date on immunizations and stay in line with state law. Klenke warned that students are at high risk because of the close nature of the university environment.
"We're basically asking them to work with us," Klenke said. "It's for the benefit for all."
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