FAQs

All new full-time and half-time students entering Northwestern, or previous Northwestern students starting a new program, must meet the Entrance Healthcare Requirements.

Part-time students are not required to fulfill these requirements.

• Students taking 3 or more classes in a given term are considered full-time.
• Students taking 2 classes in a given term are considered half-time.
• Students taking 1 class in a given term are considered part-time.

• Distance learners that will never attend on-campus classes in Evanston or Chicago are not required to submit immunization records. They still do need to watch for our Portal notification messages and inform us of their distance learner status.
• Students who are in hybrid programs or currently attending interim online classes as an alternative to physically attending in-the-classroom on the Evanston or Chicago campus are not classified as distance learners; therefore, required to submit immunization records.

1. Upload and enter immunization dates from your records to the Northwestern University Personal Health Portal (PNC).
2. Submit a copy of your immunization record(s) from your physician, former high school or university, state immunization registry, immigration paperwork, or other official immunization record. Note: A physical exam is not required.
3. If your immunization record(s) do not include all the required immunizations, you will be required to complete the missing vaccination(s).

Please note: 

• Records must have your name, date of birth, administration dates for each vaccine/test, and provider/immunization card identification.
• If your records are not in English, you must upload both the original record(s) and an English translation. Please submit official translation of your records. In the event it is hard to obtain, we will allow you to translate the records yourselves.

Frequently students in this situation will obtain copies of official immunization records from a previous school, be it high school or college. We also accept “International Certificates of Vaccinations” cards (usually for international travel, and yellow in color). Keep in mind that any documentation will need to have been signed by a health care professional.

State or County Public Health Immunization boards/ Immunization Information Systems (IIS) might have records as well.

Visit the CDC website for links to the Immunization Information Systems (IIS) of all 50 US states + US territories. 

Upon processing your records, we will send a NU Health Portal notification message to your "@northwestern.edu" account to confirm receipt of your records, and to inform you of any deficiencies.

Example Email

From: Northwestern University Health Service <NoReply@pointnclick.com>

Subject: Secure Message from Northwestern University Immunization Compliance Team

“You have a secure message from Northwestern University Immunization Compliance Team. To read your message, please visit https://www-healthy.nuhs.northwestern.edu/”

Make sure to adjust your SPAM filters to receive above notification message.

No, not immediately. Records are processed according to the date they were received. Depending on the volume of submissions and processing times, it could take up to 8 weeks for you to hear from us. If you do not hear from us after this timeframe, you are welcome to send us a message via Health Portal (NOT an email).

For our busiest Fall Season, watch for Health Portal Message where we will be updating the processing times weekly or sometimes daily!!

• Northwestern Medicine Health Service at Evanston and/or Chicago campus
  For an appointment at the Evanston or Chicago campus Student Health Service, either login to the digital portal at MyNM.nm.org, create your profile, and schedule an appointment online, or please call Evanston campus: (847) 491-8100, or Chicago campus: (312) 695-8134. Please make sure you are eligible to use those clinics!
• Your primary healthcare professional (e.g. physician, nurse, etc.).
• Local public health office.
• Various retail pharmacies provide vaccinations (e.g. Costco, Walgreens, CVS/Target, Mariano’s, Jewel Osco/Kroger, Rite Aid, Walmart, Albertsons, Meijer)

The Aetna website may be helpful: 

• Select Pharmacy Type : "Retail Pharmacy Locations"
• Select Pharmacy Network : "National Pharmacy Network"

No. The NM Student Health Service and NM clinics/hospitals are not interconnected with the NU Personal Health Portal and will NOT automatically update the NU Personal Health Portal.  

Students must submit documentation to the NU Health Portal.

We accept “negative” Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), such as T-SPOT and Quantiferon® TB Gold blood tests performed in any country within 6 months prior to entrance into the University.

We also accept TB skin tests (PPD), but they must be done only in the USA and within 6 months prior to entrance into the University.

These tests are available at the NM Student Health Service by appointment. You may call for an appointment when you arrive on campus and your insurance is effective.

Depending on when you register for classes, your eligibility to use the Health Service may vary. When you call to schedule an appointment, you may be assisted whether or not you are eligible and timeframe.

The deadline for submission varies by student group and entrance date. See the Deadlines page for more specific information.

We highly recommend that you try to submit as many of your records by that deadline.

Students who fail to submit their record of immunizations, or fail to rectify all immunization deficiencies by 30 days after the start of classes will be barred from future class registration (including adding or changing classes) until compliant and will be assessed a non-refundable $100 late fee. Penalties are not assessed prior to the start of classes.

Meeting the immunization requirements and student health insurance are two separate issues, they are not related in any way. Your immunization requirements are managed through NU Immunization Compliance Team, whereas insurance is managed through Student Health Insurance. They can be reached at 847-491-3621 or student.insurance@northwestern.edu.

• Send a message to us from within the Health Portal at any time.
• If you cannot log into the NU Health Portal, you may email us at immunizations@northwestern.edu. We will do our best to respond within 3 (not 2) business days (up to 3 weeks during peak times).

To request a copy of your immunizations, or other records for services provided before December 11, 2021, please fill out, sign and date the Authorization for Release of Confidential Information form and return it to our team’s email: immunizations@northwestern.edu.