Immunization Compliance Information

• 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 account. 

• International Students Immunizations Documentation Requirements

  International students must submit all immunization documentation in English. Documents that are not in English will be rejected by CastleBranch. All submissions must also meet the Immunization Requirements for Incoming and Transfer students. We recommend contacting your healthcare providers early to ensure your records are properly translated before submission.

• COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Information 

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

• Exemptions to Required Immunizations 

  Students seeking medical or religious exemptions for required vaccines must still complete the CastleBranch process and should upload the Declination Waiver documentation to the CastleBranch Portal for approval. 

  Guidelines for submitting a declination waiver can be found under each specific vaccine requirement on the CastleBranch Portal. 

  Students with exemptions to vaccines should be aware that in the event of a positive screening for, or exposure to, an infectious disease, they will be excluded from campus access for the duration of the contagious period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Vaccine Requirements for Students

• Are returning students required to submit vaccinations?

  Yes and no. Returning students are strongly encouraged to continue uploading updated vaccine documentation to their CastleBranch accounts. This includes optional vaccines like COVID-19 boosters and annual flu shots. However, if your Tdap vaccine is more than 10 years old, an updated Tdap is required and must be submitted.

• Can I just email Wentworth my vaccine records?

  No, email is not a secure form of communication and Wentworth does not have an internal HIPAA 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.

• 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. 

• 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.

• 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. 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. 

• Will Wentworth host vaccine clinics for students?

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