ALL new undergraduate students and graduate students, including business school students, are required to submit a properly completed Health Data Form (HDF) to Student Health. All students under the age of 22 years, regardless of classification, must provide documentation of vaccination against meningococcal disease with the quadrivalent vaccine MCV4. Complete tuberculosis screening requirements are also listed on the student Health Data Form. Students are also required to have two MMR vaccines. Although not required, the TdAP and Meningitis B vaccines are highly recommended.
2024-2025 Student Covid-19 Vaccination Expectations: There are no Covid-19 vaccine requirements for the 24-25 school year.
If you are a returning student and have been away from Rice for LESS than one year, you may use your original health data form. This includes graduate students transitioning from a Rice undergraduate degree. You may need to update vaccines, so please contact us to review your forms.
All students are expected to have the seasonal Influenza vaccine completed during the fall semester before spring registration. Four flu clinics will be held on campus during September and October 2024. Only students with an official state of Texas vaccine waiver or letter from a physician on file with SHS may waive the vaccine. Flu vaccines are available at most pharmacies in Houston and are covered by most insurance plans. Student Health also carries flu vaccines for $18. Students should have their flu shot document available for review upon request during the spring audit by Student Health. The flu vaccine does NOT need to be documented on the health form since it is seasonal and will not be due until a later date.
Downloading the HDF: The HDF may be downloaded in PDF format. The 2024/2025 form is below. Please print both the instructions and the form to take to your physician's office. Forms will be processed starting May 6 after spring graduation. The registrar places holds then, so there is no reason to send earlier. We cannot process them. We are working on a new process for forms, please check back before submission. No emails or box uploads will be accepted.
Important Information
- The form must be completed and submitted by the due date. If your program starts on an early cycle then 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 MCV4 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). 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. A second meningococcal immunization is now required if the first was done before age 16 years (CDC Jan 2011).
- 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 HDF is either mailed by the department, or 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 (in case it gets lost in the mail).
Checking your Health Data Form or Vaccine Hold
- 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 time for your forms to arrive in the mail and then add three (3) or more business days (more during peak times) prior to checking the on-hold status.
Before contacting our office with questions regarding the Health Data Form, please review the frequently asked questions.