Staying healthy is important. It is wise to strike a balance between all aspects of life such as work, socializing, leisure, good diet, exercise and rest. It is also critically important that you have access to medical care in order to keep up with yearly exams, access routine care and cover any emergencies or illnesses. While you are at Salve Regina, you must have adequate health insurance coverage at all times.

Before You Leave Home

Schedule all your doctor and dentist checkups at home before you leave. Medical and dental care in the United States is excellent, but it makes sense to take care of anything you need before you arrive. Dental care in the United States is quite expensive. While it is possible to purchase a student discount plan, it does not cover 100% of dental procedures.

Medication and Prescriptions

Bring with you any prescription medications (with copies of your prescriptions translated into English) or even non-prescription medications that you take. Sometimes it is difficult to translate a prescription or a non-prescription medication. If you can bring the scientific name of the drug with you, it may be easier to find the equivalent. Prescription medication may cost more in the United States for the same drug from the same company.

Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor's prescription printed on the container. It is advised that you travel with no more than personal use quantities; a rule of thumb is no more than a 90-day supply. If your medications or devices are not in their original containers, you must have a copy of your prescription with you or a letter from your doctor. A valid prescription or doctor's note is required on all medication entering the United States.

Immunizations and Medical Records

All students must comply with the University's immunization requirements. Arrange to get the following immunizations before you arrive and upload copies of your records to Salve Regina's student health portal. Next to each vaccine is the approximate cost in the United States.

• COVID-19: The full series (two doses of Moderna or Pfizer, one dose of Janssen) is required. A WHO-approved vaccine is also acceptable.
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), $135/dose: Two doses are required at least one month apart or positive immune titer verifying immunity.
• Hepatitis B, $145/dose: Doses one and two are given four weeks apart, with a third dose at least four months after the first dose.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), $95/dose: A booster within the last 10 years is required.
• Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4), $159/dose: Required if under 22 years old. If you were vaccinated prior to your 16th birthday, a booster dose is also required.
• Varicella, $129/dose: Two doses are required at least one month apart or positive immune titer verifying immunity or medical provider’s documented history of disease.

If you cannot verify a vaccination, you will be required to take a blood test to determine your immunity to a particular disease. Those tests are called titers. Titers costs between $100 and $300.