Incoming DVM Class of 2029 & Veterinary Nursing Class of 2028 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.
DVM Students: By October 1 of your first semester in the College of Veterinary Medicine, it is required that you have the following:
Veterinary Nursing Students: By October 1 of your first semester in Veterinary Nursing, it is required that you have the following:
Obtaining Vaccine Requirements
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. DVM students will need a follow-up blood test (titer) and may need a booster vaccine in two years.
You may be able to obtain these vaccinations through your family physician, health clinic, or pharmacy in your hometown. Some students may have difficulty getting the rabies vaccination in their hometown, so the College has arranged through Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) to offer vaccinations and TB testing after you arrive on campus. This is available through a collaborative process with PUSH, which have specifically scheduled days for our students.
Cost of Vaccine/TB testing
Previously, the cost of the rabies vaccination series administered through PUSH has been about $850. This cost may be covered by your insurance provider. It is recommended that you contact insurance directly to determine coverage. If you have commercial insurance, the provider will bill for services rendered. The remaining cost of services received on campus will be sent to your bursar account. Please be aware that PUSH may not be preferred providers for all health insurance companies. Testing and vaccines received via PUSH 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, PUSH at www.purdue.edu/push, phone 765-494-1700.
Vaccine and TB testing are covered for students who have purchased the Purdue University Health Insurance. For more 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.
If your insurance company denies your claim, a letter of justification verifying that the rabies vaccination is a program requirement and a CDC recommendation is provided on the incoming student website.
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!
***In order to participate in the vaccination program at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine through PUSH, 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.*
State Immunization Requirements
In addition to the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine-specific vaccination requirements, Purdue University requires other immunizations. You can check the PUSH website at www.purdue.edu/push/immunization for the details. Immunization records will be submitted through the patient portal found at https://www.purdue.edu/push/. If you are not able to access the patient portal, please contact shc@purdue.edu.
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
