DCVS Immunization

IMMUNIZATIONS AND TESTS

To enter and continue in an Alvin Community College Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography (DCVS) program, the following immunizations and tests are required by clinical affiliates and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Hepatitis-B:

• DCVS students must submit a Hep-B titer report with their application. This is required by clinical sites.
• MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT HEP-B TITER DONE. It should be a “Hepatitis-B surface antibody” test (abbreviated as “anti-HBs” or “HBsAb”). Do not get “surface antigen” test or any other hepatitis test.
• You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
• Clinical sites set a 5-year time limit on the Hep-B titer, and they require that it remain current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and submit the report before that semester starts.
• If you recently finished taking Hep-B shots, you must wait at least 2 months after the last shot before getting the titer done; otherwise, it may incorrectly say you are not immune when you really are.
• The HepB test should be positive. If your Hep-B titer is negative (meaning you are not immune to Hep-B), you must repeat the entire Hep-B immunization series. Then repeat the Hepatitis-B surface antibody titer after the wait period. We recommend that you get the “Heplisav” type of Hep-B immunization – two shots one month apart. If your repeated titer does not show immunity, you will need to get a doctor’s note stating you are a non-responder to the Hep-B vaccinations.

The remaining vaccinations are due after acceptance.

VARICELLA (chicken pox):

• EITHER submit report of blood test that states whether you are immune to varicella (called “varicella IgG titer”)
• OR submit proof of two varicella immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart.
• Childhood varicella immunizations are acceptable.
• Documentation of varicella illness (of having had the chicken pox as a child) is not acceptable.
• If having varicella vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the varicella vaccination.
• If you get a varicella titer instead of shots:
  • MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT VARICELLA TITER DONE. It should be a varicella immunity test (abbreviated “IgG”). Do not get the IgM test, which only checks if you are currently infected.
  • You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
  • If your varicella titer is negative (meaning you are not immune to varicella), submit proof of 2 varicella vaccinations spaced at least 28 days apart that were done after the titer. After that, you are done; you will not have to repeat the varicella titer.
  • There is a 5-year time limit on the varicella titer – it must be current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and turn in the report before that semester starts.
• TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella):

• EITHER submit report of blood test that states whether you are immune to measles (rubeola/mumps/rubella – called “MMR IgG titer)
• OR submit proof of two MMR immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart.
• Childhood MMR immunizations are acceptable.
• If having MMR vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the MMR vaccination.
• If you get an MMR titer instead of shots:
  • MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT MMR TITER DONE. It should be an MMR immunity test (abbreviated “IgG”). Do not get the IgM test, which only checks if you are currently infected.
  • You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
  • If any components of the MMR titer are negative (meaning you are not immune to one or more components of MMR), submit proof of 2 MMR immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart that were done after the titer. After that you are done; you will not have to repeat the MMR titer.
  • There is a 5-year time limit on the MMR titer; it must be current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and turn in the report before that semester starts.
  • TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.

TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis):

• Submit proof of one Tdap immunization administered when you were an adult (on or after your 18th birthday).
• Childhood Tdap or Dtap immunizations (before you were 18) are not acceptable. You MUST have proof of a shot that includes pertussis as an adult.
• If your adult Tdap is more than 10 years old, submit proof of a Td booster in addition to proof of the adult Tdap.
• There is a 10-year time limit on Tdap or Td booster. It must be current throughout the entire semester; if it expires before the end of a semester, you must turn in proof of aTd booster before that semester starts.

FLU:

• Students starting the DCVS program in August – you will get a seasonal flu immunization in late September. You DO NOT have to turn in flu shot proof before you start in August.
• All sophomore students will repeat their flu immunizations in September.
• Flu documentation must show the name of the facility or healthcare provider where you got it. This is required by some of the hospitals you will attend.

TUBERCULOSIS SCREEN:

• Submit a QuantiFERON Gold TB blood test performed in the past three months stating negative results
• OR a 2-step TB screen (two skin tests performed within 21 days)
• If your TB test is positive, also submit a report of chest X-ray showing no evidence of active lung disease.
• TB screen is good for one year. Chest X-ray is good for 2 years.
• TB screen or chest X-ray must be current throughout the entire semester; if it expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the TB screen or X-ray and turn in the report before that semester starts.
• If having MMR or varicella vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.

COVID VACCINE:

• If vaccinated, submit documentation of receiving the COVID vaccine series. If not vaccinated, submit documentation of declining the vaccination.

MENINGITIS:

• DO NOT turn in meningitis proof to DCVS; turn it in to the Admissions office because it is a college requirement and not a DCVS requirement.
• Ask Admissions if you have any questions about the meningitis immunization – 281-756-3531.

KEEP THE ORIGINALS OF YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS AND TESTS!!

• You need to keep your originals in order to submit copies:
  • For a grade during your first semester
  • To your employer when you are hired
  • To another school if you decide to earn a bachelor’s degree
• All documents are to be uploaded to your account in Viewpoint. Follow the directions in the handout provided.