Immunisation Policy
The University is mindful of its overriding duty of care for the public with whom medical students are in close contact.
Students have a duty to inform the university if they may be a carrier of any blood-borne virus including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV. Failure to do so could put patients at risk and could invoke referral to the Fitness to Practise committee.
The Occupational Health Service currently takes blood samples from all new medical students during their first year of studies to test for Rubella, Varicella (chickenpox) and Hepatitis B antibodies and antigens. A course of Hepatitis B immunisation is normally be started after test results are available. Immunisation to Varicella Zoster virus and Rubella will also be offered to sero-negative students. Evidence of previous Heaf testing (for TB immunity) will be sought. Students should have had MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination before coming to University
It is anticipated that as a result of forthcoming national guidelines, testing will soon be offered for hepatitis C and HIV. Students who are found to be infectious due to carriage of the blood borne viruses hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV will be allowed to proceed with undergraduate medical education, but will not be allowed to participate in exposure prone procedures (EPPs e.g. assist in operations). Students should be aware that while qualification with an MBChB is possible in such circumstances, the range of postgraduate careers available (e.g. surgery) will be limited by the inability to perform EPPs. Occupational Health will provide counselling and referral for specialist treatment of these infections as appropriate. Students who decline testing for blood borne viruses will not be allowed to undertake EPPs.