Immunization Program
The University of Calgary offers an immunization program that is managed through Staff Wellness. Staff Wellness will assist employees with identifying appropriate immunization status for their biological exposure risk.
Key Elements of the Immunization Program
- Help employees keep track of records of immunizations
- Ensure immunization status is kept up to date
- Administer vaccinations if needed
Getting Started
Faculty, staff, and students at the the University of Calgary experience a wide range of occupational risk factors for vaccine preventable illness.
Complete and submit the Faculty of Nursing immunization worksheet to Staff Wellness.
Public Health Agency of Canada and Alberta Health Services have laid out a specified list of vaccination recommendations for health care workers due to their exposure risk. Healthcare workers are at risk of exposure to communicable diseases because of their contact with patients/clients, or their environment. There is also a risk that healthcare workers could transmit an undiagnosed vaccine-preventable disease to others. Healthcare workers require assessment of immunization status, completion of routinely recommended vaccine series, and booster doses as necessary. For more information:
Workers with occupational exposure to animals or materials from animals may be at higher risk of exposure to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The Public Health Agency of Canada has suggested that workers with these exposure risks obtain standard vaccinations to prevent these diseases.
- Complete and submit the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine immunization worksheet to Staff Wellness.
- Submit Hazard Assessment and Control Form (HACF) to Occupational Health Nurse.
For more information about immunizations, review the PHAC resource below.
Step One: Review Your Exposure Risk
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- All health care workers
- All child care workers
- Exposure to: Clostridium Tetani, Corynebacterium Diphtheriae, Bordetella Pertussis
- Occupational travel to areas with high rates
- Workers who handle non-human primates
- Workers researching Hepatitis A or the vaccine who may be exposed to the virus
- Occupational exposure to human blood, blood products, bodily fluids or tissues
- For example, handling contaminated sharps, blood/serum centrifuging, extracting, testing or storing
- Refer to Hepatitis B Risk Assessment
- For example, handling contaminated sharps, blood/serum centrifuging, extracting, testing or storing
- All child care workers
- All health care workers
- Occupational travel to HB endemic countries
- Research or lab workers that may be exposed to blood, blood products, or bodily fluids
Hepatitis B Serology (blood test for immunity)
- May be required to confirm immune status if:
- You believe that you have received Hep B primary vaccination series but have no documented record of vaccination
- You are at high risk for past Hep B infection
- All health care workers
- Exposure to Neisseria Meningitidis
- Exposure to Streptococcus Pneumoniae
- Health care workers that are in direct contact with a patient that could potentially be carrying Polio or that are at an increased risk of coming in contact with Polio
- Lab workers handling specimens that may contain Polio
- Lab workers, researchers, veterinarians that could come into contact with animals that may carry the rabies virus
- Anyone directly working with the rabies virus or vaccine
Rabies Serology (blood test for immunity)
- Required every two years for workers continuously exposed to animals that may carry rabies virus
- Required every six months for any lab workers or researchers working directly with rabies virus or production of the vaccine
- All adult workers
- Those at an increased risk of exposure to influenza
- Health care workers
- Child care workers
- Those at risk of contracting other strains of influenza such as: Avian, swine etc…
- Exposure to orthopoxviruses
- All health care workers
- Any workers handling animals or animal tissues
- Lab workers or researchers who are working with typhoid
- Exposure to Salmonella Typhi
Mantoux Test
(Tuberculosis Skin Test)
- All health care workers
- Workers at an increased occupational risk of exposure to Tuberculosis or contact with a person that may be carrying Tuberculosis
- All health care workers
- All child care workers
- Exposure to Viral Lysates Varicella-Zoster Virus
Step Two: Collect Immunization Records
You can request records from the following:
- from Calgary, contact Central Records at 403.214.3641
- from Edmonton, contact 780.413.7985
- if you were immunized in Alberta, you may be able to access your immunization history through the MyHealth Records netcare portal
- outside of Calgary/Edmonton, contact your local health unit or health care provider that immunized you
- OHS at agencies that you have worked at
- parents or guardians.
Step Three: Submit Records to Occupational Health Nurse for Assessment
Send records to the Occupational Health Nurse in Staff Wellness
Fax: 403.282.8603 | Campus mail: Math Science 279, Attn: Brendan Webster
- Identify which immunization(s) may be specific to your exposure risk
- Submit a Hazard Assessment and Control Form (HACF) to Occupational Health Nurse
- The Occupational Health Nurse will assess records and contact you with immunization status and eligibility for program
Supervisor Approval and Costs
Vaccines for students, faculty, and staff required due to occupational risk factors will likely be eligible for provincial funding. If a desired vaccine is not eligible, there may be a charge. Supervisors must complete the Authorization and Interdepartmental Funds Transfer form in order to authorize potential costs.
Vaccines
- No fee for eligible vaccines.
- Cost recovery fee for ineligible vaccines.
Serology
-
$20-$100
Immunization Service
-
No fee
*Any of the above prices may be subject to change. Questions pertaining to potential costs for immunization service should be directed to the Occupational Health Nurse, Staff Wellness.
Appointment Booking and Follow-up
Book Your Appointment
- Contact Staff Wellness to book an appointment
- Complete this Adult Immunization Questionnaire at least three days prior to your immunization appointment
On the Day of Your Appointment
- Wear a shirt that allows access to your upper arms/shoulders
- Bring your provincial health care number
- Be prepared to stay fifteen minutes after vaccination
Appointment Records and Follow Up
You will receive a record of vaccination and any other testing performed. A notice of occupational health assessment and clearance letter may be provided to an employee and supervisor at request. This letter will not contain any employee health information.
Immunization and testing recalls are managed through Staff Wellness. You will be made aware of any follow-up requirements at the time of your appointment. It is the participant’s responsibility to complete any recommended follow-up action.