If you are an incoming international student from your
home country and will be starting your semester at
the University of Minnesota for the first time, the
following applies to you:
The University of Minnesota requires all international
students and their dependents to be covered by the
university sponsored health plan while studying in
the United States.
Details can be found in the Insurance
page for international students and visiting
scholars.
All international students
are required to undergo Tuberculosis (TB) screening
when they arrive at the University. You will be
required to make an
appointment with Boynton Health Service for a
tuberculosis test (also known as Mantoux test)
before you can register for classes.
An "ME" Hold will be put on your registration
status until this immunization requirement is met.
The hold is placed on a student for health clearance
purposes. Students with this type of hold will not
be allowed to register for their first semester
classes.
Read more about ME HOLDS.
The Mantoux TST skin test is the most reliable way
to test for exposure to tuberculosis (TB). A small
amount of protein called tuberculin is injected
under the skin of the forearm. This is not an
immunization to prevent TB infection and it does not
cause TB. Two or three days later a nurse will check
the arm to see if a bump has developed. If the bump
is of a certain size, the test is positive.
A positive test indicates active TB
disease or
latent TB infection. If you have a positive test
you will need a chest x-ray to make sure there is no
active TB in your lungs. If the chest x-ray is
normal, it means that the TB bacteria are not
actively causing disease and you have latent TB
infection.
If you have a positive reaction to the tuberculin
test that shows you have been exposed to
tuberculosis, it will not prevent you from attending
classes, but you will be treated if indicated.
If you have had a previous positive TST (purified
protein derivative), please tell the nurse before
having the test repeated. Once a TST test is
postiive, it will always be positive and does not
need to be applied again.
BCG is a vaccine for TB. It is often given to
infants and small children in countries where TB is
common. It is effective in preventing TB infection
in young children. BCG vaccine does not give
lifelong protection from TB because immunity
decreases over time.
In a small percentage of people, BCG can cause a
slight increase in the size of the bump from the
Mantoux TST skin test. The size that is considered
positive is much bigger than the reaction caused by
BCG alone.
If your test is positive and you were vaccinated
with BCG, we recommend that you should still be
treated for active or
latent TB infection.
Minnesota law requires that all students (including
international students) be immunized against
measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
Complete and sign the Student Immunization Record
enclosed with your admission letter, and send it in
an envelope to the address on the form.
Student Immunization Record:
You must provide in writing the month and year
you received each immunization. If you don't get
these vaccinations (for measles, mumps, rubella,
tetanus, and diphtheria) in your home country, you
will be required to receive them after you arrive at
your own expense.
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