New Students

Congratulations on your admission to Loyola University Maryland and welcome to Student Health and Education Services. Our goal is to provide you with access to quality healthcare and accurate information that will promote sound health decision making. For more information, please take a moment to view our brochure (pdf format).

In order to provide the most efficient medical care to our students, we require completion of the Immunization and Health History Form (pdf format). Please mail your completed form to the following address:

Student Health and Education Services
4502A North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210

Our immunization requirements follow the guidelines set by the American College Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control. Maryland law requires that all students living in campus housing receive meningococcal vaccine.

Pre-entrance Health Requirements

Immunizations required of all students:

• Two doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella combined) or Measles vaccine (two doses) AND Mumps vaccine (one dose) AND Rubella vaccine (one dose). 
   
  Antibody blood titer tests will be accepted as proof of immunity in lieu of the above vaccinations.
   
• One Tetanus Diphtheria booster (Td) within the past ten years
• PPD skin test for tuberculosis: required within 6 months of admission
• Chest X-ray (only if your PPD skin test is greater than 10 mm induration)
• Meningococcal vaccine: required by Maryland State law for all new students

Recommended (not required) immunizations for all students:

• Three doses of Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Varicella antibody titers (if no history of having chicken pox). If varicella titers are negative, we recommend the varicella vaccine.

Meningococcal Disease

It is important that college students consider vaccination to reduce the risk for potentially fatal meningococcal disease. Studies have shown that college students who live in residence halls or dormitories have a slightly higher risk of meningococcal disease.

Maryland law requires that students enrolled at Loyola University Maryland who live in residence halls be vaccinated for this disease.

Information on Meningococcal Disease:

Meningococcal disease is a rare, but serious, bacterial infection. It can cause meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings), and it can also infect the blood stream. Approximately 2,600 people in the United States get meningococcal disease each year. 10-15% of these individuals die despite antibiotic treatment. Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis. There are 5 serotypes of Neisseria meningitidis (serotypes A, B, C, Y, W-135).

Because meningococcal meningitis can cause severe illness and death, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly. With early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, the chances of full recovery are increased. The use of antibiotics is recommended for individuals with documented significant exposure to an infected individual.

(Information from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)

Meningococcal Vaccination and Cost

The Loyola University Student Health Center offers meningococcal vaccine to students who choose to receive this immunization. The vaccine is available at the Heath Center for a fee of $100.

Health Insurance

Loyola University requires health insurance for all full-time undergraduate students. The purpose of this policy is to relieve students and/or families from unanticipated medical bills, to provide coverage in cases of emergencies, and/or to ensure access to health services beyond what is offered in the Student Health Center. For families with out of state HMO plans, you may want to purchase this plan to extend your current insurance coverage to the Maryland area. For more information about Loyola's Student Health Insurance Plan and the plan benefits available to you, visit www.aetnastudenthealth.com. Simply visit the "Student" link, click on "Find Your School" and enter 711105 as your policy number.

All students must provide proof of medical insurance. Students have the option of retaining their own existing insurance policy or selecting the policy provided through the University. Each year, all students are required to complete, sign, and return an insurance selection card. Students failing to complete and return the selection card indicating proof of insurance will be involuntarily enrolled in the Loyola University Student Health Insurance Plan and the premium will be automatically charged on the tuition bill.

International Students: Must purchase the Loyola University Student Health Insurance Plan if they have a current F-1 or F-2 visa. The Plan is mandatory and non-waivable, therefore, the premium will be automatically charged on the tuition bill.

For additional information, please go to the Loyola University Health Insurance page or call the Insurance Manager at 410-617-5055.