ACHA Releases 2026 Update to Guidelines on Immunizations and TB Assessment and Management

The American College Health Association (ACHA) recently updated its immunization and tuberculosis (TB) guidelines for college and university students, reflecting current public health practices and the evolving needs of campus communities. The new recommendations aim to support institutions in protecting student health through clearer, more comprehensive guidance.

Immunization Recommendations

The updated ACHA Guidelines: Immunization Recommendations for College Students provides a comprehensive framework for institutional vaccine policies and patient education. Key enhancements in this version include:

• New strategic guidance and a dedicated section on outbreak prevention and response.
• A new summary table for vaccine series completion and catch-up and inclusion of Appendix A for easy comprehension of all referenced vaccine-preventable diseases.
• New appendices covering international travel, vaccine cost conversations, and a sample immunization submission form.
• An updated, concise appendix with recommendations for health science students.

Tuberculosis Risk Assessment and Management

The latest updates to the ACHA Guidelines: Tuberculosis Risk Assessment and Management ensure that campus screening protocols remain aligned with current global health data and ACHA’s overarching goal of protecting our 19 million college students. Key updates in this version include:

• Strategic Alignment: The introduction now explicitly aligns with the ACHA Immunization Guidelines to provide a unified approach to campus communicable disease prevention.
• Updated High-Incidence Country List (Appendix 2): Based on epidemiological data, the list of high-incidence countries has been adjusted.
  • Additions: French Polynesia, Latvia, Syrian Arab Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago
  • Removals: Anguilla and Belarus
• New Clinical Tool (Appendix 5): The inclusion of a customized Inactive TB Infection (LTBI) Risk Assessment Matrix. This tool is specifically tailored to the unique demographics and risk profiles of college student populations.

These updates provide health services with the most current evidence-based framework for effective TB screening and management in the higher education setting.

ACHA also updated its FAQs on TB Risk Assessment and Management, a companion to the TB Guidelines. The 2026 version of the FAQs includes updated links and updates for accuracy.

Thank you to the members of the ACHA Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Committee and TB Workgroup who provided these updates and revisions.