Immunization Compliance Information

• Create a CastleBranch Account 

  Click here for instructions and package code on how to create a CastleBranch website: https://wit.edu/sites/default/files/2023-04/WV79imcoming.pdf

  If you have not created a CastleBranch account, please refer to the Wentworth Vaccine website for more information on uploading your vaccine information.

  To support a seamless vaccine compliance process for our students, Wentworth is using CastleBranch, an independent compliance company working with many colleges and universities, to provide a HIPPA-compliant, vaccine portal. This portal will allow our students to upload all their medical vaccine documentation and to access their medical vaccine records at any time in the future if they need these documents for work, travel, or additional schools of higher education. 

  • Please contact immunizations@wit.edu with any additional questions.

• Incoming and Transfer Students Immunization Requirements

  Incoming students will access the CastleBranch portal and upload the vaccine documentation required by the state of Massachusetts for all undergraduate and graduate students under the age of 30 including:

  • MMR                          
  • Varicella                    
  • Tdap                          
  • Hepatitis B                
  • Meningococcal (for students under the age of 21) 

  In addition, all undergraduate and graduate students can upload COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination documents to their CastleBranch accounts. 

• COVID-19 Vaccination Information 

  Public health experts advise that being fully vaccination and boosted against COVID-19 is critical to enhancing immunity and public health. Accordingly, Wentworth is strongly encouraging all students to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. 

• Exemptions to Required Immunizations 

  Students seeking medical or religious exemptions to the required vaccines should upload that documentation to the CastleBranch portal for approval. Students with exemptions to vaccines should be aware that in the event of a positive screening for, or exposure to, an infectious disease, you will be excluded from campus access for the duration of the contagious period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Vaccine Requirements for Students

• Does Wentworth encourage students to vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19?

  Wentworth strongly encourages all students to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the majority of our faculty, staff, and students fully vaccinated and know that vaccinations are the best way to keep our community healthy going forward. 

• Are returning students required to submit vaccinations?

  Returning students are strongly encouraged to continue to submit future vaccine documentation to their CastleBranch accounts. This may include COVID-19 boosters, updated TDaps, as well as annual flu vaccines. 

• Can students seek an exemption to medical vaccines?

  Yes, students are able to upload exemption documentation into their CastleBranch account. Medical exemption letters must come from a medical doctor. Religious exemption letters must come from a student (or a parents for students under age 18) and note that medical vaccines conflict with deeply held religious beliefs. Per MA law, these exemption requests must be submitted annually. 

• Can I just email Wentworth my vaccine records?

  No, email is not a secure form of communication and Wentworth does not have an internal HIPPA compliant platform in place to collect all students immunization records. Students will set up an account with CastleBranch for their medical vaccines and exemption documentation.

• Where should I direct questions about issues with my CastleBranch account if I chose the wrong platform, cannot recall my login, need to confirm my documents were approved, etc?

  Any questions related to vaccine documents, approvals, login issues, etc should be directed to CastleBranch. The Service Desk is available to assist you via phone, chat and email Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-8:00 pm & Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. & Sunday 10am- 6:30pm EST 888-723-4263 or servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com.

• What happens if I choose not to submit my required vaccines?

  Most of the vaccines (or approved exemptions) are required by the state of Massachusetts before beginning the school year. Students who do not submit their documentation will be unable to begin classes and/or move into the residence halls.

• How do I get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19?

  If you are living in Massachusetts and wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19, please pre-register at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when you are eligible to schedule an appointment at one of the state’s current vaccination locations. You also should be able to obtain a vaccination at your local pharmacy. 

  • Vax finder

  If you are living outside Massachusetts, but in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers links to a nationwide VaccineFinder as well as to your state’s Department of Health.

  If you are living outside the U.S., please check your local and national public health agency.

• Will Wentworth host vaccine clinics for students?

  Wentworth will routinely provide on-site COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics for faculty, staff and students.

• What does it mean to be “fully” vaccinated against COVID-19?

  According to CDC guidelines, being “fully” vaccinated means having received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and having allowed for two weeks post-vaccine. 

• How should international students plan and prepare to be fully vaccinated and boosted?

  Wentworth understands that international students face differing circumstances regarding obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination in their home countries. The University is aware that COVID-19 vaccinations may not be readily available in some countries. International students seeking vaccinations when they arrive in the U.S. can contact Optum Student Health Services (617)879-5220 or email immunizations@wit.edu.