7.02 University Health Services

7. Student Health 7.01 General Information

Personal Responsibility: Harvard Medical School encourages Master’s students to pay close attention to immunization, standard precautions, and other preventive measures. The following sections outline these measures. Anyone who expects to spend time in a clinical facility must also meet the requirements of that facility for any and all immunizations and vaccinations.

Immunization: Under Commonwealth of Massachusetts legislation, students must present evidence of vaccination to many communicable diseases. Please refer to the Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) Immunizations page for up to date information about all required vaccines.

The only circumstances under which you may be exempted from the Massachusetts Immunization Law and the requirements of Harvard Medical School for serologies are as follows:

• You have certification, in writing, by a physician who has personally examined you and is of the opinion that your physical condition is such that your health would be endangered by one or more of the required immunizations; or • You state in writing that such immunizations as required would conflict with your religious beliefs.

Infection Control: Students exposed to or with infectious or communicable illnesses, including COVID-19, diarrheal illness; pertussis (whooping cough); shingles; tuberculosis (TB); methicillin resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA) infection; Group A strep. infection; or draining lesions on the hands, must consult with HUHS/MAHS. In addition, a student in such circumstances should consult with the infection control office in the institution wherein the exposure occurred about the advisability of continuing to work in a setting that provides clinical care and to be sure they are following the local regulations. When for the student’s mentored research or capstone project involves human research subjects with certain respiratory infectious diseases, students must adhere to local regulations regarding precautions, including wearing appropriate masks. (see 9.09).

7.02 University Health Services

Harvard University Health Services

Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) provides comprehensive primary and specialty care to the Harvard community. The main location is in the Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square, and satellite clinics are located on the Business School, Law School, and Medical Area campuses. The Medical Area Clinic is located on the first floor of the west wing of Vanderbilt Hall. Patients are seen by appointment except in cases of emergency. Visit huhs.harvard.edu for additional information. Urgent Care for non-routine, urgent medical concerns or symptoms is available 24 hours a day at the Smith Campus Center location in Harvard Square. Students can schedule same-day non-routine appointments online through the Patient Portal or by calling 617-495-5711. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to call their health care team or mental health provider for advice during regular office hours. The Student Health Fee covers most medical and mental health care provided at HUHS facilities.

Students intending to use HUHS as their primary care provider are encouraged to establish a relationship with one of the internists at the Medical Area Clinic soon after arrival. Students should make an appointment for a medical history and a physical examination. Students are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to review the state of their health and to become acquainted with a specific physician or nurse practitioner whom the student may choose to see at future visits.

Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP)

All Harvard University students who are registered as more than half time pay the Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) Student Health Fee, which enables them to use HUHS without additional charge for most services. Students who are half time or less can waive the Student Health Fee. Please note, students who waive the Student Health Fee as half time or less must also waive the Student Health Insurance Plan component. Additional information regarding waiving the Student Health Fee (and waiving in general) can be found on the HUSHP website here - (Select + WAIVING THE STUDENT HEALTH FEE). Students’ dependents may also enroll in HUSHP. Please refer to hushp.harvard.edu and to Sections 6.04: Medical Fees and 9.03: Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) for more information.