Body
University Policy
Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Policy on Immunization Requirements and Exemptions for Matriculation
Introduction
Purpose
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC-Chapel Hill" or "University") is required by North Carolina law to verify that students meet immunization requirements as a condition of enrollment and to maintain compliance with state reporting requirements. This policy establishes the University's requirements, procedures, and exemptions related to immunizations for matriculating students.
Scope
This policy applies to all students matriculating at the University who are subject to North Carolina immunization requirements, including undergraduate, graduate, professional, and international students as applicable. It also applies to University departments and personnel responsible for reviewing immunization documentation, monitoring compliance, processing exemptions, and administering enrollment requirements.
This policy does not apply to students who qualify for exemptions under North Carolina law or to program-specific immunization requirements established by individual academic programs, which are administered separately by those programs.
Policy
Campus Health participates in national and statewide efforts related to vaccine-preventable diseases by following guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the American College Health Association. These guidelines are available on the NC DHHS "Immunization Requirements for Colleges and Universities" webpage and the CDC "Vaccines & Immunizations" webpage.
Procedure
I. North Carolina Immunization Requirement and Compliance Process
North Carolina state law (North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S.) § 130A-154 through § 130A-155.1) requires that students entering college present a certificate of immunization documenting that they have received immunizations required by state law.
The statute applies to all students except students residing off-campus and registering for any combination of:
- Classes that are also held off-campus; or
- Evening classes (starting after 5 p.m.); or
- Weekend classes; or
- No more than four credit hours of classes that are on-campus during the day.
Upon matriculation to the University, an automated process assigns an Immunization To-Do item in ConnectCarolina with instructions for completing the required immunization documentation.
Health Information Management (HIM) staff review all incoming immunization records and notify students of immunization non-compliance by adding additional To-Do list items to ConnectCarolina.
In accordance with North Carolina law, students who have not met the required immunization requirements by the 30th calendar day after the start of classes will be withdrawn from the University. The HIM Department will notify the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) of students who have not met the 30-calendar-day compliance requirement, and the OUR will process the withdrawal. To be reinstated, students must submit the required immunization documentation to the HIM Department. Once compliance has been verified, the HIM Department will notify the OUR, and the student will be reinstated.
Within 60 calendar days after the commencement of a new school year (fall semester), a report will be filed with the Immunization Branch of the NC DHHS, via the Health Information Manager, indicating the number of students who:
- had not obtained the required immunization by the 30th calendar day after the start of classes,
- received a medical exemption, and
- received a religious exemption. (N.C.G.S. § 130A-155.1.)
II. Required Immunizations
For immunizations required by the State of North Carolina, see go.unc.edu/immunizations
II. Exemptions for Immunizations Required for Matriculation
A. Medical Exemptions
Medical exemptions for required immunizations will only be granted upon submission of either a Medical Exemption Statement (DHHS 3987) or Physicians Request for Medical Exemption (DHHS 3995). Both exemptions require a signature by a physician in North Carolina.
These medical exemption forms are available on the NC DHHS "Vaccine Exemptions in NC" webpage.
B. Religious Exemptions
Religious exemptions for required immunizations will be granted upon submission of the “Request for Exemption from Immunization Requirement: Religious Reasons” Form or a statement of religious belief and request for exemption.
This religious exemption form is available on the UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Health "Exemptions for State Required Immunizations" webpage.
C. Submitting the Exemption Forms
The Medical Exemption form(s) and/or Religious Exemption Form or statement of religious belief must be submitted to the HIM Department through the students' To-Do list item on their ConnectCarolina Student Services Page.
IV. Health Affairs & Allied Health Students
All incoming Health Science students must satisfy UNC-Chapel Hill's general immunization requirements for enrollment, in addition to any program-specific immunization requirements established by their respective academic programs. Campus Health does not monitor compliance with Health Science program-specific immunization requirements and does not automatically share immunization records with those programs. Students are responsible for submitting required documentation directly to their program as instructed.
V. TB Testing Requirement
Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required for students from countries with an increased incidence of TB. TB testing is recommended for students who have risk factors that increase their likelihood of exposure to TB. Complete TB screening and testing information, including a list of high-incidence countries, is updated yearly on the Campus Health website.
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Melody Gibson, Health Information Manager
Telephone: 919-966-6557
Email: mgibson@email.unc.edu
Publication Details
Policy Number: PC-28/IC-E 05
Responsible for Review: Health Information Manager (HIM)/ Infection Control Committee
Initial Date Effective: September 1986
Date Last Reviewed: July 2026
Reviewed By
Policy Review Documentation
| Role |
Date |
| Health Information Manager |
July 2026 |
| Infection Control |
July 2026 |
| Nursing Director |
July 2026 |
Approved By
Policy Approver
| Role |
Date |
| Medical Director |
July 2026 |
Revision History
- Revised: July 2026
- Reviewed: April 2023
- Revised: October 2019
- Revised: May 18, 2018
- Revised: September 2015
- Revised: January 2011
- Revised: September 2010
- Revised: July 2010
- Revised: October 2008
- Revised: May 2008
- Revised: January 2007
- Reviewed: September 2005
- Revised: February 2005
- Reviewed: September 2002
- Revised: September 2001
- Reviewed: October 1999
- Reviewed: March 1998
- Revised: February 1996
- Revised: October 1994
- Revised: January 1992
- Revised: August 1989
- Revised: August 1988