BVC Immunization Requirements

As a health care program learner, you must fulfill certain immunization requirements as outlined by Bow Valley College Health Services prior to being able to participate in any clinical/practicum experience. Once you have met the minimum requirements, you will be cleared to attend clinical. It may take some time to complete all of your immunization requirements.

Therefore, once you are accepted into your program, it is very important that you begin the following steps as soon as possible.

Step #1:   Find any immunization records you may have from the past.

Depending on where you received past vaccinations, you may get records from your parent/guardian, family doctor(s), Community or Public Health Centre, or from previous places of employment.

Alberta Health Services (formerly called the Calgary Health Region) Central Immunization Records may have your records if you received immunizations in the Calgary Health Region. Call them at (403) 214 - 3641 to request that your record be mailed to you. If you went to Elementary, Junior High, or High School in another province or in Alberta but outside of Calgary, Alberta Health Services may be able to provide phone numbers for community health clinics in these areas as well. 

If you do not have any record of immunizations or tuberculosis skin testing done in the past, your history will need to be reviewed and you may need to receive some immunizations and updated tuberculosis skin testing. If you are studying within the Calgary area, IT IS NOT NECESSARY for you to see a doctor to do testing or receive immunizations. Health Services will provide you with everything you need.

Step #2:  Make an appointment

Learners living within the Calgary area:  Call Health Services (403-410-1675) at BVC and make an appointment with the nurse to review your immunization history and fulfill any needed requirements. It may take a few weeks to get in to see the nurse, so don't wait to call for an appointment. When you go to your appointment, bring a copy of any immunization records you have, your provincial health care card or number and your acceptance letter and learner ID#. Do NOT send in any immunizations records prior to your appointment. If you are studying within the Calgary area, IT IS NOT NECESSARY for you to see a doctor to do testing or receive immunizations. Health Services will provide you with everything you need.

"Off-site" learners, outside of Calgary: 

Learners living a distance from Calgary (more than an hour's drive away) may need to arrange an appointment at a local health centre to receive needed immunizations and tuberculosis screening. You may be charged a fee for vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing done outside of Calgary. You may also need to see a physician for blood testing and/or a chest x-ray order. Please go to the student web portal (myBVC), find the Health Services information section and click on the links to get more detailed information and forms in order to complete immunizations in your community. You also have the option of making an appointment at BVC Health Services to review your immunizations.

Once you have met the minimum immunization requirements, fax your record and supporting documentation to Health Services at 403-297-6308 or email them to healthservices@bowvalleycollege.ca . Email Health Services to ensure your record was received and to confirm that you have met the immunization requirements. You will receive a clinical card via email, indicating that you have been cleared to attend clinical.

The immunization requirements for your program are as follows:

For Health Care Aide, Practical Nurse, and Recreation Therapy Aide:

• Tetanus/diphtheria:  Primary series in childhood and a booster within the past 10 years. Minimum requirement = 2 doses or booster within past 10 years.
• Polio:  Primary series; If not, you require a series of three injections. Minimum requirement = 2 doses.
• Measles:  2 doses. If born in Canada or the U.S. before 1970, we assume you have immunity.
• Mumps:  2 doses. If born in Canada or the U.S. before 1970, we assume you have immunity.
• Rubella:  1 dose or proof of immunity.
• Varicella (chicken pox):  Clear history of disease or documentation of vaccination is acceptable. If unsure, immunity is checked with a blood test. If immunization is needed, must have 2 doses to meet minimum requirement.
• Mantoux (pronounced "man-too"):  Screening test for Tuberculosis done within a year of the start date of your program.
• Hepatitis B series:  If you have had the series, immunity is checked with a blood test. If series is required, must have 2 doses to meet minimum requirement.

For Dental Business Administration, Medical Office Assistant, Hospital Unit Clerk, Pharmacy Technician & Health Care Interpreter:

• Tetanus/diphtheria:  Primary series in childhood and a booster within the past 10 years.  Minimum requirement = 2 doses or booster within past 10 years.
• Measles:  2 doses.  If born in Canada or the U.S. before 1970, we assume you have immunity.
• Mumps:  2 doses.  If born in Canada or the U.S. before 1970, we assume you have immunity.
• Rubella:  1 dose or proof of immunity.
• Varicella (chicken pox):  Clear history of disease or documentation of vaccination is acceptable.  If unsure, immunity is checked with a blood test.  If immunization is needed, must have 2 doses to meet minimum requirement.

For Veterinary Office Assistant (you do NOT need to make your own appointment. Your class will be seen as a group in Health Services and this will be organized for you once you start the program):

• Tetanus/diphtheria:  Primary series in childhood and a booster within the past 10 years. Minimum requirement = 2 doses or booster within past 10 years.
• Rabies:  Series of 3 doses and post-series serology; post-series serology if received immunizations in past.

If you have any questions about immunizations for your program or the process of meeting the requirements, please contact healthservices@bowvalleycollege.ca.

**Updated on August 26, 2011