Incoming DVM Class of 2028 & Veterinary Nursing Class of 2027 Students
Congratulations on your acceptance to the College of Veterinary Medicine! We are excited that you will be joining us during your training phase for this wonderful career. At Purdue, your health and safety during this time are of utmost importance. For this reason, we have established a Student Health Policy that recommends vaccinations and testing important for your health as a veterinary medical or veterinary nursing student.
By October Break (October 7, 2024) of your first semester in the College of Veterinary Medicine, it is required that you have received the following:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is important that all professionals who work extensively with animals (like veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary nurses, and veterinary nursing students) be vaccinated for rabies. The CDC recommendations were updated May 6, 2022, and this vaccine series now requires two pre-exposure vaccinations for rabies prior to extensive work in the clinics. You will need a follow-up blood test (titer) or booster immunization in two years. You may be able to obtain these vaccinations through your family physician, health clinic, or pharmacy in your hometown. The vaccinations and TB test are available on campus after you arrive at Purdue in the fall through a collaborative process with Purdue University Health Center (PUSH) or Purdue University Pharmacy (PUP), which have specifically scheduled days for our students.
The cash cost of the rabies vaccination series administered through the PUSH and PUP previously has been about $850 and is covered by many insurance policies. The cost of these services will be applied to your university account. If your insurance company denies your claim, a letter of justification for insurance companies verifying that the rabies vaccination is a program requirement and a CDC recommendation is provided on the incoming student website. However, some insurance companies will only pay for the vaccinations if they are administered by an in-network provider. Please check with your insurance company regarding their coverage of these vaccinations. If your insurance company will cover only vaccinations given by your network provider, your cost will be lower if you arrange for the vaccinations this summer prior to the start of the Fall Semester.
This vaccination series is an important investment in your personal and professional safety. If a person is exposed to rabies, but has not received the protective vaccination, the treatment costs much more than the preventive vaccines would have!
Some students may have difficulty getting the rabies vaccination in their hometown, so the College has arranged through the PUSH and PUP to offer vaccinations after you arrive on campus. Tetanus boosters, the TB test, and other needed vaccines can also be obtained at PUP or PUSH. Please be aware that PUP or PUSH is not a preferred provider for all health insurance companies. Testing and immunizations received via the Purdue University Student Health Center may not be covered by your insurance or may be covered at lower out-of-network rates with more cost to you. For more information about your health insurance coverage, you may contact your insurance provider or PUP at 765-494-1374. You can check the PUSH website at www.purdue.edu/push or call them at 765-494-1700 for more information about health insurance coverage.
Students who are enrolled in the Purdue University Health Insurance have these immunizations covered by this policy. For information about enrollment, visit: Purdue Insurance. In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) through its AVMA Life Organization provides the veterinary student essential protective package. (AVMA VetSTEPP) This package is available to you as a veterinary student and SAVMA. To learn more please visit: Student Basic Protection Package
***In order to participate in the vaccination program at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine through PUP, you will need to bring a copy of the front and back of your insurance card along with the name and date of birth of the primary policy holder.***
In addition to the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine-specific vaccination requirements, Purdue University requires other immunizations. You can check the PUSH website at https://www.purdue.edu/push/immunization/index.html for the details. The university requires adequate immunization against or proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. Other university-required immunizations include meningococcal combination vaccine, meningococcal B vaccine, and tetanus immunization. You should enter your immunization and medical information (meningococcal, tetanus and MMR vaccines into the PUSH patient portal found at myhealth.push.purdue.edu. If you are not able to access the patient portal, you may need to wait until the first week of classes to enter the information online.
We look forward to having you here at Purdue. If I can be of any assistance in answering your questions about rabies vaccinations or other health-related issues, please don't hesitate to email me at mtews@purdue.edu.
Sincerely,
Matthew Tews, DO, MS, FACEP
Student Health Policy Coordinator
College of Veterinary Medicine
Purdue University
