A COMPULSORY Immunization program exists at McGill for students in the Health Sciences programs. Health Sciences students must start the immunization process as soon as they are accepted at McGill and must complete it well before they are permitted contact with patients. Entry into the McGill University Teaching Hospitals may be delayed if immunizations are incomplete according to the information provided by the McGill Student Health Service:
www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/forms/medicalstudents.
Proof of immunity must be written and signed by either a nurse or a physician and include the following:
1) Proof of primary series vaccinations for Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Polio and proof of Diphtheria, Tetanus, combined with Component Pertussis Vaccine and Polio (Salk) vaccination boosters within the last 10 years.
2) Proof of two live Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccinations, the first one having been received after 12 months of age, or positive serology for each of these agents.
5) Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination, positive anti-Hepatitis B surface antigen serology (i.e., anti-HBs), and Hepatitis B antigen titer (HBsAg). “Immunity” to Hepatitis B may be documented by both a positive anti-Hepatitis B core antigen serology (i.e., anti-HBc) and absence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (i.e., HBsAg). In this latter case, vaccination is not necessary.
Current information indicates that there is a potential risk of transmission of Hepatitis B from practitioner to patients in the clinical dental setting. Therefore, applicants for the D.M.D. program, Multidisciplinary Residency Program in Dentistry and M.Sc. in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will be required to be tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen by the McGill Student Health Services. Applicants who test positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen will be tested for Hepatitis B “e” antigen and Hepatitis B viral DNA to help determine infectivity risk. If either Hepatitis B “e” or Hepatitis B viral DNA is positive, the offer of acceptance will be withdrawn and registration in the program will not be completed.
Health Sciences students who think they might be infected or think they have been exposed to a blood-borne disease should be tested for any or all blood-borne pathogens.
Students who are seropositive for Hepatitis B, C, HIV and/or any other blood-borne pathogens have an obligation to notify the Dean or Director of the school as soon as they know their serologic status. These students will be referred to the "Service d’évaluation du risque de transmission d’infections hématogènes", a provincial service responsible for all infected workers, including medical students. This service will make recommendations to the students and Faculty based on current scientific knowledge and relevant guidelines and practices. Students must follow the recommendations of the Service. The Service may recommend restricting the practice of these students. Students who carry blood-borne pathogens may not be permitted to perform procedures involving needles, scalpels or other sharp objects as this may pose a risk to patients and co-workers.
This means that they may not be able to complete their clinical requirements and may be required to withdraw.
Students involved in patient care who develop any contagious disease placing patients at risk must immediately discuss their condition with their supervisor and they may be required to temporarily stop clinical activities. McGill University considers it important for Health Sciences students to fulfil their ethical obligation to patients by taking appropriate measures to minimize the transmission of disease.
Students will receive details of the immunization requirements with their acceptance package and on the following website:
www.mcgill.ca/studenthealth/forms. Immunizations can be completed at McGill Student Health Services which operates during the summer.
You must also refer to your specific Faculty’s or School’s immunization section to be certain that all immunization requirements have been fulfilled.
