Health Center Privacy Compliance

In compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164 (HIPAA) that protects patient confidentiality, Eastern University will not share health record information, unless such sharing is permissible or required under law.

Generally individual student health records are not retained beyond seven years after a student graduates or otherwise leaves the University. It is highly recommended that students keep personal copies of all of their medical records including records of immunizations and documentation concerning tests for disease.

Students are encouraged to educate themselves thoroughly about patients' rights under HIPAA.

HIPAA Disclosure & Notice of Privacy Practices

Patient Rights & Responsibility

Authorization For the Release of Health Records

Immunizations

The following immunizations are required of all incoming, first year, transfer and international students who will be attending classes full-time on the St. Davids campus. 

Required: 

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Two doses are required. 

  • Dose 1 must be administered after the first birthday, and the second given a minimum of four weeks later. 
  • A blood test showing immunity is also acceptable. 

Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis: (Tdap): Administered within the past 10 years 

Hepatitis B: Three doses are required. 

  • A blood test showing immunity is also acceptable. 

Tuberculosis Skin Test (PPD or Mantoux): Performed within 12 months prior to the first day of classes. (All International Students will receive a PPD test upon arrival to EU.) If the result is positive, a follow-up chest x-ray or blood test will be required. 

Meningococcal A,C,W,Y (Menactra or Menveo): *One or two doses required for all students residing in campus housing. 

  • *CDC Recommendations: All 11 to 12 year old adolescents should be vaccinated with a single dose of quadrivalent (protects against serogroups A, C, W, and Y) meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Since protection wanes, a booster dose is recommended at age 16 years so adolescents continue to have protection during the ages when they are at highest risk of meningococcal disease. Eastern University students are required to be vaccinated with meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine after age 16. If they received an initial dose before their 16th birthday, they must get a booster dose after age 16 for maximum protection. 
  • Please note: The Meningitis B vaccine does not take place of Meningitis A,C,W,Y vaccination. 

Polio (IPV or OPV): Last date in either 3 or 4 dose series 

Varicella (Chicken Pox): Two doses of chicken pox vaccine are required at least one month apart.

  • A blood test showing immunity is also acceptable. 

Highly Recommended Immunizations: 

The following vaccinations are recommended by the American College Health Association, but are not mandatory to attend Eastern University. 

Meningococcal Group B Vaccine Series (Bexsero or Trumenba)
Hepatitis A
Human Papillomavirus Series (HPV)
Influenza 

Housing Students (Meningitis) 

Pennsylvania State law requires all college students to receive information about meningitis/meningococcal disease and the vaccine, and to either receive the vaccine before coming to college, or sign a waiver. 

In accordance with the law, Eastern University is providing information about meningococcal disease (Meningitis) and about the vaccine. 

All students assigned to University residential housing, must: 

  1. Review information about the risks of meningococcal disease, and the availability and effectiveness of the vaccine;
  2. Decide whether or not you will obtain the vaccination

Class Absenteeism

The staff in the student health center does not provide written excuses covering class absences, missed examinations, etc., except under certain circumstances.  At the request of an instructor and with the permission of the student, the health center will verify visits to the student health center.

  • If a student misses a class due to an illness, the student should contact their instructor ASAP to inform them of the absence
  • If a student has an extended illness or hospitalization, the health center should be advised with a physician’s note.  The student health center will advise the Dean of students to notify appropriate faculty.