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Most religions have no prohibition against vaccinations, however some have considerations, concerns or restrictions regarding vaccination in general, particular reasons for vaccination, or specific vaccine ingredients. Below is a list of the current position of some of the more common religious faiths. Buddhism - Buddhism has no central authority that determines doctrine. Vaccination is widely accepted in predominantly Buddhist countries.

Smallpox is an acute, contagious illness characterized by fever, backache, and severe headache followed by the appearance of an eruption of papules and vesicles which become pustular by the eighth day. Although smallpox disease has been eradicated worldwide, researchers sometimes still use the vaccinia virus, which is the virus used in the smallpox vaccine. These research faculty and staff may obtain smallpox vaccine from OHC at no charge.

(See VUMC Vaccination Policy requirements further down this page.)

​Main Campus and One Hundred Oaks

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is a two-dose immunization series which provides immunity to chickenpox. For adults, this vaccine is recommended only for those who lack natural immunity. Occupational Health provides Varicella vaccine at no charge for employees when needed to meet VUMC immunization compliance requirements whose immunity test shows they do not have immunity to varicella, or for those have begun the vaccine series and need a completion dose. Varicella vaccine is available outside of compliance requirements and will be charged to your personal insurance.

Hepatitis B Vaccine is provided at no charge to Vanderbilt faculty/staff who are exposed to human blood or other potentially infectious materials in their job, and when needed to meet VUMC immunization compliance requirements. This is offered at multiple locations. 

This vaccine protects against certain strains of bacterial meningitis. Occupational Health provides this vaccine at no charge to faculty and staff who have an occupational reason to take meningitis vaccine, such as:

Occupational Health offers travel exams for all Vanderbilt faculty and staff who will be traveling internationally on Vanderbilt business.

TB Skin Tests are provided to VUMC employees free of charge. We offer many locations for your convenience.