Starting in the fall of 2015, incoming Ohio State University students will have to show proof of their vaccinations in order to schedule classes.

Currently, there are 26 states across the U.S. that require vaccinations for students. Ohio State University is not one of them, but is taking the first step to join the ranks, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

This new requirement was created after almost 500 students were sick during a mumps outbreak last year. Since then, there was also a measles outbreak in Ohio. These two events have pushed the university to take preventative measures.

Vaccinations entail the administration of antigenic material used to stimulate the immune system in order to induce adaptive immunity to pathogens. Vaccines have the ability to prevent or ameliorate morbidity as the result of infection.

The university’s dean of public health, Dr. Williams J. Martin II, thinks that university and college campuses have the responsibility to require that students be up to date on their vaccinations. He says that Ohio State is accepting this responsibility by enforcing these new requirements.

Dr. Martin also said that the decision for Ohio State University was made to protect the university, the students, and the community at large.

The new vaccination requirements at Ohio State University do not apply to upperclassmen or those attending branch campuses at this time.

The required list of vaccinations includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and chicken pox. For those students new to the residence halls, they will have to have the additional meningitis vaccination.

The University is standing by their decision, despite a flood of controversy coming their way.