ALL new undergraduate and graduate students, including business school students, are required to submit a properly completed Health Data Form (HDF) to Student Health Services. In addition, all students who are under 22 years of age on the first day of classes, regardless of classification, must provide documentation of one dose of a Meningococcal ACWY vaccine administered on or after their 16th birthday and within five (5) years of college entry, in accordance with Texas state law. All students are also required to complete a tuberculosis (TB) screening questionnaire through the student health portal. If the screening identifies risk factors for tuberculosis, additional TB testing will be required. Students must provide documentation of two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine. Although not required, the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) and Meningococcal B vaccines are strongly recommended.
COVID-19 Vaccination Expectations (2026–27)
There are no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for the 2026–27 academic year.
Returning Students
Returning students who have been away from Rice University for less than one year may use their previously submitted Health Data Form. This includes graduate students transitioning directly from a Rice undergraduate degree. However, vaccine records may need to be updated, so students are encouraged to contact Student Health Services for a review of their records.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Requirement
All students are expected to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine during the fall semester, prior to spring registration. Four on-campus flu vaccine clinics will be offered during September and October 2026. Students may only waive this requirement if they have an official State of Texas vaccine exemption or a physician's waiver letter on file with Student Health Services. Influenza vaccines are available at most pharmacies throughout Houston and are covered by many insurance plans. Student Health Services also offers flu vaccines for approximately $18. Students should retain documentation of their influenza vaccination and be prepared to provide proof upon request during Student Health Services' spring compliance audit. Please note that the influenza vaccine does not need to be documented on the Health Data Form, as it is a seasonal requirement that will become due later in the academic year.
Downloading the HDF: The HDF may be downloaded in PDF format. The 2026/2027 form is below. Please print both the instructions and the form to take to your physician's office. Forms will be processed starting May 15 after spring graduation. Forms will be uploaded electronically to our new electronic medical record. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL THE FORM IN 2026. YOU WILL UPLOAD IT TO OUR NEW SYSTEM. You may upload the forms now. Thank you for your patience as we move to an updated system this spring.
LOG INTO THE PORTAL TO ENTER HEALTH INFORMATION AND UPLOAD ALL OF YOUR FORMS INCLUDING THE PHYSICAL EXAM FORM AND YOUR VACCINE RECORDS. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE STATUS OF YOUR HEALTH COMPLIANCE IN THE PORTAL. CLICK ON THE LINK TO OBTAIN YOUR FORM. THE 2026/27 FORM IS AVAILABLE NOW.
YOU WILL NEED AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN TO COMPLETE THE FORM. YOU MAY SEE YOUR HOME MEDICAL PROVIDER IN ANY COUNTRY.
Important Information
- The form must be completed and submitted by the due date. If your program starts on an early cycle, plan to submit accordingly.
- Deadlines:
- Undergraduate students - June 15 (December 1 for the Spring Semester)
- MBA - July 1
- Graduate students - July 15 (December 1 for the Spring Semester)
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE DEADLINE, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR FORMS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOU DO NOT NEED TO EMAIL US FOR AN EXTENSION. Housing and Registration will be permitted once all forms are completed.
- A properly completed Health Data form is required for registration for classes.
- All new students (including transfers), and students returning from a leave of absence, must provide documentation of meningococcal ACWY vaccination. This Texas State law applies to all students under the age of 22 years of age regardless of classification (e.g., part-time, full time). All students under the age of 22 are required to receive one dose of meningitis ACWY vaccine on or after the age of 16 and within 5 years of college entry. A student who is delinquent in this requirement will not be permitted to move on-campus, register, or attend classes. More information on the law (including exemptions to immunization requirements) can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
- All new students must also have two MMR vaccines.
- A child or student who has not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic.
- The HDF cannot be completed by Student Health at Rice.
- The physical exam must be within one (1) year prior to the first day of classes and must be recorded on the Rice Student Health Data Form (HDF).
- Student Health cannot provide immunizations for entering students.
- Undergraduate students are notified by the Dean of Undergraduates Office regarding the HDF (and other forms and deadlines required by the university). For graduate students, the department notifies the student about the health data form, how it may be downloaded, and the deadline for submission.
- Double-check that all of the required elements (immunizations and physical exam sections) are PROPERLY completed and signed by your health care provider.
- If there is a delay in your submission of the Health Data Form please do not become upset with the staff at Student Health. It is your responsibility to make sure the HDF is completed properly and submitted in a timely fashion.
- It is generally a good idea to make a copy of the HDF.
Checking your Health Data Form or Vaccine Hold -First check the portal https://studenthealth.rice.edu for any compliance updates or messages. Then you can check the Rice system -
- Login to ESTHER
- Select "Student Services & Account Information"
- Select "Student Records & Account Information"
- Select "View Holds"
- Confirm that there isn't a ME - Student Health Services Hold or a VA - Vaccination Hold. The ME hold means your Health Data Form has not been received or it's incomplete. The VA hold means proof of your meningococcal meningitis vaccination has not been received.
If you have other holds on your account, consult the Office of the Registrar's information on various account holds. Please note that all new students have an "Honor Code Affirmed" hold on their account that will be resolved during orientation.
Please allow at least three (3) business days for our staff to review submitted documents before checking your hold status. Processing times may be longer during peak periods.
Before contacting our office with questions regarding the Health Data Form, please review the frequently asked questions.