immunization

What vaccines do you have to take before entering 1st year med? I have heard that you must have a TB test done, but I don't know what other health precautions/tests must be performed.

Hi there,

You'll probably also need the following vaccines/tests:
D2T5 (booster)
MMR (booster)
Hepatitis B
Varicella (titer/clinical history)

Make sure your tetanus is up to date as well.

- Rupinder

Don't worry too much about this - most schools will notify you after you've been accepted about when you have to do this by. And the school might provide a clinic for Hep B shots - I believe Western does.

Other things you will be asked for, though, will be completion of CPR/Standard First Aid certification and a yearly physical. The family physician who did my physical, upon hearing I was going to med school went WAY overboard with the tests but was nice enough to give me a copy of ALL the results - EKG, 'lytes, glucose, creatinine, blood urea, and even tests for both antibody and antigen for a number of infections diseases. . . (Hep B, Hep C, HIV, Syphilis. . .?)

Thanks for all of the info! The reason I was asking is because if I am lucky enough to get in for this September, I will hear about it while I am working for the entire summer outside of my province of residence, thus I won't have a GP to go to for my physical, and I'm not even sure that OHIP will even cover me for all of these vaccines. But I guess I will have to figure that out if I end up hearing some good news

At some schools at least, there is the possibility of an extension on these requirements in special circumstances, such as potentially your own. You may have the opportunity to complete such requirements before the end of September, but bear in mind that you might not be able to participate in any curriculum components that involve the hospitals. . . fortunately, these aren't extensive in the first month of med school, usually.

carletongirl,

I know someone who is accepting new patients ...even if you don't want her as a family doc, I'm sure she would do your immunizations for you...I don't think my wife usually bites Actually, her colleague indicated he would do mine for me should I need them...I'm sure we can work something out...drop me an e-mail and we can arrange something... by the way, if you're still looking for a family doc...I believe we're booking June right now for new patient "meet and greets".

Peter

Just a reminder to Ontario students planning to go elsewhere that getting your shots here is likely less expensive than elsewhere.

For example, if you went to Nova Scotia, plan on spending ~ $100 for a Hep B vaccination, which I believe is free in Ontario (might depend on your regional health authority).

So get your shots before you go.

wally

Whoops,

I lie. Hep B is covered everywhere in Canada as of 2002.

Moved out of the General Premed forum into the Med Students forum...

Ian