Vaccination Requirements

Understanding Vaccinations

Documentation of the following immunizations is required before you can begin your job shadowing experience:

  • Two varicella shots or proof of chickenpox immunity
  • Two measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shots or proof of immunity
  • One dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine administered within the last ten years
  • Flu shot (only required during flu season)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test, read within the last 12 months

Please note that all vaccination documentation must include your name and the location you received the vaccination. If vaccinations are handwritten, you must have a signature on official letterhead from the provider who provided the shot and their work location.

We've included additional details about each of these immunizations and our requirements below.

Chickenpox

CoxHealth requires job shadowing participants to either have had the varicella vaccination or to be immune due to previously having chickenpox. Varicella might also show on your immunization record as varivax or MMRV. Proof of immunity for chickenpox may include:

  • A doctor's note on official letterhead
  • Results of a positive blood test
  • An immunization record that includes the varicella shots
  • An immunization record that includes history of chickenpox with the date you had chickenpox

If you have never had the vaccine or chickenpox, you can get your first shot and turn it in for temporary proof of immunity until you get your second dose. The proof of your first shot will get you an approval packet that will expire within one month of the shot.

MMR

CoxHealth requires job shadowing participants to have had the MMR vaccination. These shots can be administered together (as two MMR shots) or individually. If you had them individually, you would need two shots for measles, two shots for mumps and two shots for rubella. Another word for measles is rubeola. Proof of immunity for MMR may include:

  • A doctor's note on official letterhead
  • Results of a positive blood test for all three diseases
  • An immunization record that includes the MMR shots

If you have never had an MMR shot, you can get your first shot and turn it in for temporary proof of immunity until you get your second dose. The proof of your first shot will get you an approval packet that will expire within one month of the shot.

Tdap

The Tdap shot is commonly confused with the children’s version, which is Dtap. Dtap is not required for job shadowing at CoxHealth, but Tdap is. All job shadowers must have one dose of the adult Tdap vaccine administered within the last ten years. Anyone over the age of seven can get a Tdap shot. Proof of immunity for Tdap must include pertussis - if your immunization record only lists Td or tetanus, it will not be accepted. Tdap may also be listed as Boostrix.

Flu Shot

This vaccine is only required during flu season, from September through April. You cannot submit a flu shot record from a previous season as proof for the current season. If you cannot receive a flu shot due to an allergy, you'll need to provide a doctor's note on official letterhead. Any version of the flu vaccine is accepted, whether it's a shot or the mist.

TB Test

You must submit proof of this test from within the last 12 months and include the results (positive or negative) with the vaccination record. If you receive a positive test result, you must have a chest x-ray to prove immunity. Any version of the TB test is accepted, whether it's a blood test, skin test or lung x-ray. A TB test may also be referred to as PPD reading.