Immunization

To assure that students are not exposed to undue health risks and do not pose a risk to their patients, students must provide evidence of appropriate vaccination. For students admitted to both the Montreal and Outaouais campuses, a healthcare professional selected by the faculty reviews the immunization records to ensure the immunization requirement is met. Students are required to submit their documents by May 1, and the immunization status must be verified "complete" by the start of Orientation. Please refer to the information listed on: Details on Immunization Standards and Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification.

All students must meet all requirements of the Protocole d’immunisation du Québec (PIQ) and be adequately vaccinated against COVID-19 according to the MSSS directives in effect, prior to the start of the program.

Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) member schools have additional harmonized requirements for medical students who take visiting elective courses in Canada in third year. The AFMC Student Portal streamlines the application process, and many McGill students apply for these electives each year. We therefore strongly recommend that new M.D.,C.M. students provide proof of meeting all the AFMC requirements, although some additional test requirements for specific universities can only be done closer to the elective application period. For details, see: https://afmcstudentportal.ca/immunization/.

Annual vaccination for influenza is required for all students. The student should retain proof of vaccination during the program as it may be requested at any time.

Vaccination against other infectious diseases may be required, if the need arises.

If students choose to complete their immunizations through their family physician or their CLSC, they must be sure to follow the McGill immunization requirements, and refer to the list of instructions and resources outlined in the Details on Immunization Standards and Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification.

If you choose to complete your immunizations through your family physician or your CLSC, make sure to follow the McGill immunization requirements since the Student Wellness Hub will not accept different immunization protocols.

All immunization requirements must be met by Orientation Day. Students who do not meet these requirements may be asked to withdraw.

For details, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/ugme/policies-procedures/infection-control-immunization.

Policy on Students Known to be Infected with Blood-Borne Viruses (e.g., Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV)

Individuals who carry blood-borne pathogens might not be permitted to perform certain procedures that may pose a risk to patients and co-workers.

Students who are seropositive for Hepatitis B and/or C or HIV and/or any other blood-borne agent have a professional obligation to notify the Associate Dean of UGME upon entry into the program. Specific measures will be undertaken by the UGME office. Rotations may be modified for these students due to these circumstances.

The student will be referred to the Service d'évaluation des risques de transmission d'infections hématogènes (SERTIH). Modifications to clinical rotations may be made. The student will be assisted in acquiring appropriate health care. Specific career counselling will be given. Students will be advised not to select residency programs where patient safety would be put at risk. This may limit the residency programs to which the student may apply.

Should core clinical rotations need to be modified, notation of this will be made in the Medical Student Performance Record (MSPR/Dean's letter). The student is professionally responsible to self-disclose their seropositive status to the residency program to which the student matches.

For details, see: http://www.mcgill.ca/ugme/policies-procedures/infection-control-immunization/blood-borne-virus-infections.