Scoop on Vaccinations - Tdap Vaccine & Hepatitis B

[Guest UTMed07]

I got word today from a U of T Health Centre physician (Dr Lowe) that the immunization sheet is wrong; the TdaP (tetanus, diptheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine isn't a requirement. How does Dr Lowe know? He was on the phone with Prof Maureen Shandling (director of Admissions & Awards) after I asked him about the vaccine. Prof Shandling I've been told, consulted with an infectious disease expert and ensured this is indeed not a government requirement.

 

So that is the scoop... I anticipate an email from admissions to the new class will be coming some time in the next few weeks.

 

I like my school and don't mean to bash it... but it seems admissions really has problems getting their act together on vaccinations; Dr Lowe told me there was confusion last year. Last year the vaccination sheet incorrectly said a meningitis vaccine was required.

 

Kudos to U of Ottawa, they seem to have these things figured-out; a lab mate of mine got in there and I compared notes with them. Ottawa doesn't mention "acellular pertussis" on their vaccination form.

 

If you're looking for a free Hepatitis B vaccination try the U of T Health Centre. Yeah... I posted this here... but then I have got the impression people don't frequent the 0T7 board too much.

[Guest Waitin]

Thanks for the info. Do you know if registration is required to access UTHS, or just the admission letter (don't we need to start HBV before registering=catch 22)?

[Guest Kirsteen]

Hi guys,

 

On the hepatitis immunizations, when I received mine (Twinrix, i.e., Hep A and prior to venturing to India a couple of years ago, it was a series of three shots. I believe it was Dr. Lowe who administered them at $100 a pop in a specialty travel medicine clinic. It was only post-voyage that I discovered the pro bono shots at the UofT clinic at the Koffler Centre. Do take advantage of those--$300 is a lot to pay when you only have to touch your wallet to produce your OHIP card.

 

Cheers,

Kirsteen

[Guest Chieka]

I talked to Leslie Taylor at admissions and got a clarification re: Tdap Vaccine. All the shots on the sheet are required, however, previously U of T thought that if you had any of these shots as a child, you would need to retake them as an adult. They have changed their policy to allow shots taken as a child to be taken into consideration.

 

C.