The AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form (available in French and English) and its companion guide titled Guidelines to the AFMC Student Portal Immunization and Testing Form are intended for use by Canadian and international medical students who wish to participate in visiting electives in Canada.
This guideline provides detailed information about the immunization requirements for Canadian and international medical students seeking elective placements at Canadian medical schools.
Please see below chart for any school specific immunization and testing requirements.
This guideline provides detailed information about the immunization requirements for Canadian and international medical students seeking elective placements at Canadian medical schools.
This document acts as a guide to help students verify their immunizations for their desired visiting elective. It also answers many important frequently asked questions.
Any school specific immunization or testing requirement only needs to be shared with the school making the request once an elective is approved, it is not required as part of the application (an exception is the recent TST for Western; if indicated, this must be submitted as part of the elective application, see table for additional details)
For any questions not covered below, or additional concerns, requirements, or process inquiries, please refer to your home medical school, the school(s) to which you are applying, or the HCP completing the form for you.
The Canadian medical schools are obligated by law to keep your personal health information confidential, and only the minimal number of individuals required at each medical school will access and use the information provided.
No. All students must submit the completed Form. It is also not appropriate to attach original immunization and testing documentation (e.g., serology reports) to the Form other than when requested. This helps ensure that every student is following the requirements set by the medical schools and enables schools to determine that no documentation is missing.
Discuss this with the HCP assessing your immune status. In general, previous records will count so long as the immunization is properly documented and respects the minimal age and spacing intervals of that particular immunization series.
An attempt should be made to obtain immunization records from the previous clinician, facility, or public health unit. If this is not successful then in general, the immunizations should be repeated. Parental recall of prior immunization is known to correlate poorly with vaccines received and is not acceptable as evidence of immunization. Serological testing for immunity has a limited role in this area and for most immunizations is not recommended. The Canadian Immunization Guide states:
No. You only need to provide documentation of immunizations and test results that are requested on the Form. For example, you do not need to provide documentation of Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), monovalent hepatitis A, meningococcal, pneumococcal, or rabies vaccines as part of this process.
If you are not able to meet the requirements for a medical or health condition it is necessary for the HCP completing the Form to provide specific details; either in Section C of the Form, or by attaching relevant information from a physician. In addition, you would need to complete the Exceptions and Contraindications to Immunization and Testing Requirements, Self-Declaration Form (Appendix A), to acknowledge that you understand you may not be fully protected, and also that you may be subjected to additional precautions or restrictions during the proposed elective placement.
Students who have chronic infection with hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and/or hepatitis C virus must familiarize themselves with the policies of the medical schools where they wish to apply. In Canada, knowing one’s serological status with respect to HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C is an expectation of the medical profession, and if positive, must be reported to the appropriate authority. The appropriate authority, in some provinces may be independent of the medical school (e.g., the provincial regulatory authority). In other cases, the school will be that authority (see for example requirements for Queen’s University, McMaster University and University of Ottawa in Section J of the Form). All schools require reporting of chronic hepatitis B virus, as all students need to have hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test results documented by a HCP on the Form.
Documentation of a hepatitis B immunization series is required for all students. Positive serology (hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs]) alone will not be accepted if there is an incomplete or absent record of immunization (exception: students immune due to natural immunity, i.e., positive anti-HBs AND positive antibody to hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc], or students with chronic hepatitis B infection do not require immunizations documented). Students with an incomplete or undocumented hepatitis B series must proceed to obtain a hepatitis B immunization series; those who are part way through completion of the series must complete the Hepatitis B Not Immune, Self-Declaration Form (Appendix D) when submitting the Form.
All health care workers should be tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) to ensure immunity to hepatitis B. It is also a good idea to test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), to determine which individuals may be chronic carriers of the hepatitis B virus; this has been made a requirement on the Form. It is possible that a chronic carrier of hepatitis B will be positive for both anti-HBs and HBsAg (this occurs in about 5% of chronic carriers). Testing for both anti-HBs and HBsAg will permit a student’s specific status to be determined. Some students who were not tested for HBsAg will need to have this test performed now. If a student previously had a test for anti-HBs and was positive (immune), the test for anti-HBs should not be repeated when testing for HBsAg occurs (false-negative anti-HBs results are possible in this situation and may lead to unnecessary booster doses).
An up-to-date seasonal influenza immunization is required for electives occurring during November to June inclusive for the following medical schools: Dalhousie University, McMaster University, Memorial University, McGill University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Queen’s University, University of Manitoba, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, and Western University. The University of British Columbia requires either documented influenza or a mask be worn for electives November to June inclusive. All other medical schools highly recommend influenza vaccination as it is considered a standard of professional practice in Canada.
Generally the answer is no, but discuss this situation with the HCP offering you services. For measles, mumps, rubella and varicella post-immunization serology is not necessary and should not be performed for the purposes of occupational health requirements. The HCP assessing you should ensure that the measles immunizations were properly documented and spaced (two doses given a minimum of four weeks apart, starting on or after the first birthday). The negative measles serology most likely represents a false negative and in most cases can be ignored.
Yes. It is possible that a history of chickenpox infection is not accurate. A test for varicella antibodies (immunoglobulin G [IgG]) is necessary to verify that a student is indeed immune. If the test is positive, no further action is required for varicella. If the test is negative, a student will require two doses of varicella vaccine administered six or more weeks apart.
In the past a single dose of varicella vaccine provided to a child between ages 12 months and 12 years was considered a complete series. Canadian guidelines have changed and now recommend such individuals receive one more dose of varicella vaccine to complete a two-dose series. Varicella serology should not be tested before or after the second varicella immunization.
All adult health care workers should receive a single dose of tetanus diphtheria acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for pertussis protection, if not previously received in adulthood (age 18 years or greater), even if the individual is not due for a tetanus/diphtheria booster. The adult dose is in addition to the routine adolescent Tdap booster.
No. All students require a complete primary polio immunization series documented. For the purposes of satisfying the requirements listed on the Form students who have a primary polio immunization series documented do not require an adult booster dose of polio vaccine.
Once a two-step TST has been properly administered and documented it does not need to be repeated; all future TSTs can be single TSTs.
Typically, students do not need a repeat TST for the purposes of satisfying elective requirements. However, there are two exceptions to this:
For each of the above schools: Students with a documented contraindication to a TST do not need to have a repeat TST (e.g., previous positive TST).
Not necessarily. You would need to have a HCP document on the Form your positive TST and chest X-ray (attaching the chest X-ray report). You will also need to complete and submit the Tuberculosis Awareness, and Signs and Symptoms Self-Declaration Form (Appendix B) (to be completed by the student). If abnormalities are noted on the chest X-ray or in your symptom review then a repeat chest X-ray may be necessary, at the discretion of the HCP. Most students will not have any abnormalities noted, and therefore they would not require a repeat chest X-ray. However for Western University students with a positive TB history must submit a chest X-ray report that is current within six months of entry into medical school.
For the purpose of the Form treatment for LTBI and/or an IGRA test is not required. If either of these services were provided documentation of such does not need to be included with an application. Please see question #12 for more information on the requirements for a student with a positive TST.
The AFMC Student Portal Helpdesk is where you can ask questions, consult help documents, and find general information related to visiting electives in Canada.
Or reach us directly at
service@afmcstudentportal.ca
Not ready to talk to someone? You can also download a series of comprehensive student resources.
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The AFMC Student Portal Helpdesk is where you can ask questions, consult help documents, and find general information related to visiting electives in Canada.
Or reach us directly at
service@afmcstudentportal.ca
Not ready to talk to someone? You can also download a series of comprehensive student resources.
Login
Register
Search Electives
An initiative of
© Student Portal 2022
University of Alberta: Mumps
In the event of an outbreak during a visiting elective at the University of Alberta a visiting student may not be allowed to commence or complete the elective if the student’s evidence of mumps immunity is based on serology alone, rather than a complete and documented immunization series or laboratory evidence of infection.
UBC: COVID-19
University of British Columbia: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Requires either a documented influenza immunization or a mask be worn for electives November to June inclusive.
University Of British Columbia : Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
Only 1-step TST required (baseline 2-step TST recommended but not required).
University of Calgary: COVID-19
Alberta Health Services requires students who come to do electives or rotations in Alberta be vaccinated for COVID 19. There are no exemptions granted (even if valid medical reasons).
University of Calgary: Mumps
In the event of an outbreak during a visiting elective at the University of Calgary a visiting student may not be allowed to commence or complete the elective if the student’s evidence of mumps immunity is based on serology alone, rather than a complete and documented immunization series or laboratory evidence of infection.
Dalhousie University: COVID-19
Require proof of a 2 dose primary series.
Université Laval: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
TST not routinely required for Canadian students
University of Manitoba: COVID-19
Requires 2 doses of a primary series.
McGill University: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
TST not routinely required for Canadian students
McMaster University: COVID-19
Primary vaccination series according to NACI guidelines mandatory. See the Immunization Requirements tab on our institution profile for details
McMaster University: Hep C and HIV Testing
Reports for HIV and Hepatitis C serology required for confirmed electives in obstetrics, gynecology, emergency and surgical specialties. Results must be dated after March 1 of the year of entry into medical school and are valid for 4 years.
Memorial University of Newfoundland: Mumps
In the event of an outbreak during a visiting elective at the Memorial University of Newfoundland a visiting student may not be allowed to commence or complete the elective if the student’s evidence of mumps immunity is based on serology alone, rather than a complete and documented immunization series or laboratory evidence of infection.
Université De Montréal: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
TST not routinely required for Canadian students
NOSM University: COVID-19
Require proof of a 2 dose primary series for visiting learners.
NOSM University: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
IGRA (Interferon-gamma release assay) acceptable under the following condition : for international learners when TST is unavailable.
University of Ottawa: COVID-19
Require Full Vaccination.
https://med.uottawa.ca/cprm/program-requirements/immunizations
University of Ottawa: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
For students without contraindications, if the most recent TST was given over 12 months prior to the elective start date, a single TST will be required for students attending an elective at the University of Ottawa
Queen’s University: COVID-19
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses)
Queen’s University: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
IGRA (Interferon-gamma release assay) acceptable under the following condition : as an alternative to TST.
University of Saskatchewan: COVID-19
A complete COVID-19 vaccination series is required, and boosters are strongly recommended.
University of Saskatchewan: Hep C and HIV Testing
Reports for HIV and Hepatitis C serology required for confirmed electives in obstetrics, gynecology, emergency and surgical specialties. Results must be dated within 12 months of the elective application date.
Université De Sherbrooke: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
TST not routinely required for Canadian students
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine (2 doses) of a health Canada approved vaccine series with some flexibility to accept non-Health Canada approved vaccines.
https://md.utoronto.ca/registration-requirements-requestsUniversity Of Toronto : Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
IGRA (Interferon-gamma release assay) acceptable under the following condition : under exceptional circumstances.
Western University
Western University requires international trainees to upload actual proof of information on the completed Immunization form (i.e. immunization records, (yellow immunization cards), titers, lab reports, physician letters) together with the fully completed Immunization Form.
Western University: COVID-19
Require proof of a 2 dose primary series for visiting learners.
Western University: Screening for Latent TB Infection
IGRA (Interferon-gamma release assay) acceptable under the following conditions : for international learners when TST is unavailable (NOSM); as an alternative to TST (Queens); under exceptional circumstances (Toronto); for international students (Western).
If a student answers “Yes” to any of the two TB exposure questions found in Section F. Tuberculosis (TB) of the AFMC Form, Western University requires a repeat TST for students without contraindications. The TST must be performed eight or more weeks after the last known possible contact with infectious TB disease (e.g., return from an international elective). This is required as part of the elective application, it must not wait until the elective is approved
Western University: Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
IGRA (Interferon-gamma release assay) acceptable under the following condition : for international students.
If a student answers “Yes” to any of the two TB exposure questions found in Section F. Tuberculosis (TB) of the AFMC Form, Western University requires a repeat TST for students without contraindications. The TST must be performed eight or more weeks after the last known possible contact with infectious TB disease (e.g., return from an international elective). This is required as part of the elective application, it must not wait until the elective is approved
