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Immunizations

To protect themselves, patients and other individuals they will be working with, it is important that students maintain an up-to-date immunization status. The University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy requires that students fulfill the Michener Institute Immunization requirements. These requirements meet the immunization standards and associated health practices set forth in:

  • The Public Hospitals Act 1990, Revised Statutes of Ontario, Regulation 965
  • Communicable Disease Surveillance Protocols published jointly by the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ontario Medical Association and approved by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

Records of past immunizations can typically be obtained by students from their parents, family physician, or local Public Health Unit. Students are responsible for maintaining their immunizations and are required to submit to the School of Pharmacy up-to-date records of the immunizations listed below by June 15 of every year. Failure to comply with immunization and documentation requirements may result in cancellation of co-op placements, withholding of academic grades and/or denial of academic progression.

Tuberculosis

Except as noted below, students must have a two-step Mantoux test by June 15 of their first academic year in the Pharmacy program. This test involves two injections that are spaced 1–3 weeks apart.

Exceptions

  • If a student has had a negative Mantoux test in the past five years, a single step Mantoux test is to be administered
  • If the student is known to be skin test positive, the Mantoux test is not recommended. Documentation of skin-test positive history and chest x-ray must be submitted.
  • Individuals who react positively to a Mantoux test require medical assessment and follow up chest x-ray and counselling. Students are advised to keep a copy of the report of the chest x-ray for their own records.
  • If a student develops symptoms of tuberculosis or is exposed to tuberculosis while enrolled in the Pharmacy program, he/she is expected to obtain the necessary medical assessment, treatment and counselling recommended. The student must notify the School’s Director of Undergraduate Affairs.

Hepatitis B

Students must have proof of a completed series of Hepatitis B vaccine. The completed series is 3 injections given at baseline, 1 and 6 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

A MMR vaccine is required unless documented proof of prior completed immunization is available. Such immunization must have taken place after 1980. Immunity may also be proven through a blood test for antibody titres.

Chicken Pox

  • Students must submit proof of a positive history of chicken pox infection (a signed letter from the student is acceptable) or have proof of positive Varicella zoster antibody titres.
  • Individuals lacking immunity will be counseled regarding the implications for clinical practice and advised of the availability of the Varicella vaccine.

Tetanus/Diphtheria

  • Immunization against tetanus and diphtheria is effective for ten years.
  • Proof of current immunization is required throughout the Pharmacy program.

Polio

  • Proof of a complete primary series of polio vaccinations is required.
  • If immunization is required and oral poliomyelitis (OPV) vaccine is to be used, the health care professional should be aware of the timing of co-op work placements so as to ensure the student will not be shedding live virus and inadvertently exposing immunocompromised patients. For this reason, inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is recommended.

Influenza

As students will be working with the public and patients throughout the Pharmacy program, it is strongly recommended that all Pharmacy students receive the influenza vaccine.

Individual work term or site requirements

Individual work term employers or other placement sites may impose additional requirements on Pharmacy students. Details will be provided by the employer or the School of Pharmacy, prior to the commencement of the applicable term.

Students with communicable diseases

Students with tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV infection are required to inform the School’s Director of Undergraduate Affairs of their condition. All students are expected to be in a state of health such that they may participate in the academic program, including patient care, without posing a risk to themselves or others. Students with the above diseases, or other communicable infectious diseases, must obtain counseling regarding how to safely participate in work terms to reduce the risk to themselves and others. All information on the health status of students shall remain confidential.

Forms

Immunization Record Form (PDF)  (year 1)
Immunization Record Form, supplemental (PDF) (years 2-4)