Procedures and Guidelines

Immunization Requirements

Categories: Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Pathology clinical immunization Physical Therapy

Updated on:

Background

The University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences’ programs employ a comprehensive and standardized approach to vaccination and serology testing requirements for students enrolled in their programs, based on best practice guidelines, and in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Therefore, the requirements of students for clinical practice courses are outlined below. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that all immunization requirements have been met.

If a student believes they have rationale for non-compliance with the required immunizations, this must be discussed in advance. If a student is unable to comply with the required immunizations, they may be excluded from certain clinical placement sites or may be asked to leave their clinical placement site in the event of an outbreak. Therefore, the ability to complete all required elements of the SRS program may be in jeopardy, and admission to the SRS program may also be in jeopardy.

This could mean that completion of the program is not possible, or it could mean that a ‘waiver’ form must be signed if alternatives are identified.

General Information

  1. Do not delay attending to these immunization requirements. Some processes related to immunizations take time. Completion of immunization requirements is the responsibility of the student as well as any associated costs. Most immunizations are covered by your Provincial Health card.
  2. Students enrolled in an SRS Program MUST provide official, signed evidence of immunization status on entry into the program.
  3. The immunization profile must be completed or verified through the U of S Student Wellness Centre to be officially entered into the student file. If immunizations and serology tests are completed elsewhere, these records must be submitted to the U of S Student Wellness Centre for review and verification. When complete, the student is provided with an electronic signed copy of their completed record by the Student Wellness Centre. This document must then be submitted by the student, electronically, to the SRS by the date specified in the admissions package for each year.
  4. Hepatitis B immunizations, if not previously received, must at least be started prior to entering the SRS program. There is approximately a 6-month time frame to receive the complete Hepatitis B immunization series, and serology for proof of protection, and this series may be completed after starting the program. The Hepatitis B series of vaccinations must be completed by March 15 of the year following admission to the SRS Program.
  5. Students must also have all blood tests completed (titers) before entering any SRS program, except for the serology for Hepatitis B which can only be completed after you have completed the full series of Hepatitis B vaccinations.
  6. Failure to submit validation of a completed, required immunization profile to the SRS program by the date specified in the admissions package, may result in the student being unable to complete the requirements in any of clinical practice courses of the program. Clinical facilities can refuse a student assignment to the facility for clinical practicum experience based on failure to comply with immunization requirements.
  7. The student immunization record will always be kept in a secure, confidential central records’ file and should be updated, as required, during the time in the program. The U of S Student Wellness Centre stores and reviews immunization records for each student while in the SRS program. Clinical facilities may require that a student or the SRS present documentation of up-to-date immunizations, prior to a clinical practicum. The signed validation from the Student Wellness Centre (provided to each student) should be kept on hand in case a health facility asks to see it.
  8. The health environment is constantly changing and in fact may vary with each health institution. There may be new requirements for additional immunizations, or immunity status testing, to comply with U of S or SHA requirements during the program. The costs associated with any additional immunizations or testing are the student’s responsibility.

Specific MPT Immunization Requirements

1. Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td):
  • Primary series of 3-5 doses, then a booster every 10 years

2. Pertussis:
  • Primary series and adults are encouraged to have a Td booster with the pertussis component once in their adult lifetime.

3. Polio:
  • Primary series, booster if travelling in endemic areas.

4. Measles, mumps, rubella:
  • Documented proof of vaccination with 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella OR by proof of immunity by serological evidence (bring in a copy).

5. Tuberculin skin test (TST):
  • Initial one step TST skin test is required prior to client contact.
  • If there is a history of a positive Tuberculin, a CXR may be required.

6. Hepatitis B:
  • A series of two or three doses followed by an antibody check.
  • If you have already received the series, lab evidence of immunity is required (bring in a copy).

7. Varicella (Chickenpox):
  • Proof of two doses of varicella vaccination OR by serological evidence of immunity (bring in a copy)

8. Influenza and COVID 19 Vaccination:
  • For all SRS students, annual flu and COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended in the Fall of the second year of the program. This is in alignment with the NACI (National Advisory Committee on Immunization) guidelines for health care providers.
  • It is expected that there will be instances of flu and/or COVID-19 outbreaks in clinical environments. Students in a clinical placement on outbreak who have not been immunized may not be able to complete the clinical placement; this may impact their ability to complete the program.

Appending Statement

On admission to an SRS program, students are asked to sign a Statement of Compliance with the immunization requirements for the SRS, which will be kept in your confidential student file.

Students must also complete a document entitled “Immunization Requirements Consent" to provide Student Wellness consent to share their immunization status with the SRS.

These forms will be provided to successful applicants before orientation.