Healthcare Students
Request or Upload your vaccination documents
Use the Form below to Request or Upload Medical Documents.
(Not intended for use by Incoming Healthcare Students- They can upload Vaccine Records on their Form at: https://www.ucc.ie/en/studenthealth/healthcare/incoming/)
Click Start Now on the Form above.
You will need to be logged on as using you UCC Student email ID to use the Form.
UCC Infectious Disease Screening and Vaccination Policy
Students* on certain courses with a placement in a clinical setting are subject to the UCC ID Screening and Vaccination Policy.
Incoming students on certain courses must attend UCC Student Health Department for Infectious Disease Clearance.
Infectious Diseases Screening and Vaccination Policy
*The School of Nursing and Midwifery is subject to HSE Occupational Health policy and procedures.
FAQ ID Screening and Vaccination
Q: What vaccines are recommended for UCC healthcare students?
A: MMR (2 doses), Varicella (1 or in some cases 2 doses), and Hepatitis B (3 or in some cases 4 doses), if not already immune or previously vaccinated
Q: Do I need to have these immunisations before I start my course?
A: No, these will be available during your first year at UCC. If you have had vaccinations previously, you must upload documentation via our Form
Q: Which vaccines are mandatory for UCC healthcare students?
A: None of the vaccines are mandatory. Students who decline vaccination or are unable to achieve and sustain adequate levels of immunity may be unable to undertake placements in certain settings such as augmented care units. This may prevent them acquiring the core competencies required to graduate from their programme and the student may be required to transfer to an alternative exit degree programme.
Q: Is there a National Guideline as to recommended vaccines for healthcare settings?
A: The Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. Available: www.hiqa.ie/areas-we-work/national-immunisation-advisory-committee/immunisation-guidelines-ireland
Q: Where can I get a copy of the UCC healthcare students ID screening and immunisation Policy?
A: Download from Infectious Disease Screening and Vaccination Policy
Q: Are there any other vaccines which may be of benefit for healthcare students?
A: Healthcare students are strongly recommended to have the Influenza vaccine annually and COVID-19 Boosters when available. They should ensure they have completed the primary and booster course of Tetanus immunisations. These vaccines are not included in the routine Student Health Healthcare vaccination programme.
Q: What is the Fee payable by students for the ID screening and Immunisation Programme?
A: If all your immunisations are complete the core fee payable is 110 Euro, and this is payable at the first ID screening and immunisation appointment via Bilinks our secure online payment system. All students are liable to pay the fee. You are exempt from paying this fee if you have paid UCC Student Health this fee previously whilst undertaking another course in UCC, or if the fee is paid by your sponsor, or if you are a UCC PLUS/ HEAR student.
Other fees payable for vaccines and TB screening blood test as required.
| Item |
Fee |
| Hepatitis B vaccine per dose (course=3-4 doses) |
40 |
| Varicella Zoster vaccine (per dose) |
60 |
| TB IGRA blood test |
100 |
| Chest X Ray (if needed) |
Varies |
Q: I have paid the ID Screening Fee to UCC previously as part of another UCC course. Do I pay again?
A: No. If you have paid this fee to UCC Student Health previously you will not be liable to pay the fee twice.
Q: I have obtained all these vaccines elsewhere, do I have to pay the core fee to obtain clearance?
A: Yes, you must pay the core fee of 110 euro. You will be deemed to have cleared the ID screening and immunisation requirements only after all relevant documentation has been received and clearance status has been confirmed via Identified Validated Sample (IVS) blood test undertaken in the UCC Student Health Department.
Q: Why do I have to pay the core fee if I have been obtained these vaccinations elsewhere?
A: The core fee of 110 euro is payable even if you require no further vaccines from UCC. The core fee covers the cost of professional time involved in reviewing your vaccination history, TB status, undertaking the IVS blood test to confirm Hepatitis B immunity, and the administration of the programme.
Q: Can I get copies of of my medical records including ID screening and Vaccination records
A: Yes, please request via the online form.
Q: What is involved in Tuberculosis screening?
A: You must be screened to ensure you do not have Tuberculosis. This involves a series of screening questions relating to TB symptoms and possible prior exposure through travel with more than one 1 month within the past 2 years in a country with high TB endemicity AND having worked in healthcare or having lived or worked with high-risk local populations while there. Depending on travel history you may also need a chest x-ray. You should remain vigilant and be aware of the symptoms of TB: persisting cough, night sweats, coughing up blood, or weight loss. If in doubt and you are concerned, discuss with a Student Health Doctor.
Q: Is it mandatory that I receive/have received a full course of 2 doses MMR vaccine?
A: A full course of 2 lifetime doses of MMR vaccine is strongly recommended for healthcare students training in Ireland. There has been a significant outbreak of Mumps in University over the past few years, with students ill and occasionally missing time and unable to complete examinations in University. Cases of Measles in healthcare students have also occurred. Vaccines are not mandatory, however students who decline vaccination or are unable to achieve and sustain adequate levels of immunity may be unable to undertake placements in certain settings such as augmented care units. This may prevent them acquiring the core competencies required to graduate from their programme and the student may be required to transfer to an alternative exit degree programme.
Q: Are blood tests for IgG levels for Mumps proof of immunity to Mumps?
A: Interpretation of Mumps IgG levels is problematic as there is no IgG level that definitively indicates immunity to Mumps infection.
Healthcare Electives
UCC Healthcare Students Elective Information
UCC Healthcare students who intend to arrange an elective attachment at another institution may need to complete health clearance and obtain certification of immunity. Please print out and read the document below for further details. You are asked to prepare your Forms and have a clear understanding of your requirements before submitting your Forms for confimatory signatures in Student Health and any subsequent attendances that may be needed.
TB Screening for Electives
Tuberculin Skin Tests are available on a limited basis for students who require TB screening in advance of acceptance for a clinical elective placement. Students may also contact the institution to which you are applying to determine if the receiving institution will accept alternative forms of TB screening.
For Clinical Elective Pre-acceptance screening, the IGRA Quantiferon test is acceptable as an alternative, occasionally coupled with Chest X Ray screening.
IGRA Quantiferon testing and Chest X Ray screening for clinical elective pre-acceptance screening purposes can be arranged and undertaken through the Student Health Department UCC. IGRA testing requires attendance at the Student Health Department for a blood test, and costs 100 Euro.
Chest Xrays can be undertaken at local private clinics and costs can vary, upwards of 100 Euro.
Non-UCC Healthcare Students Seeking a UCC elective.
Students who are not UCC Students and who intend to apply and complete an elective in a UCC affiliated Hospital or Clinical Unit are advised to contact the hospital or clinical unit Occupational Health Department directly, to seek advice as to the requirements for that particular hospital or unit. You will be advised as to the requirements for Infectious Disease Screening, Immunisation, Exposure Prone Procedure Clearance which apply for that particular hospital or unit.
In some circumstances this clearance and immunisation can be undertaken by UCC Student Health at the request of the Hospital or Unit providing the placement.
Fees may apply, payable by the individual or the unit concerned
Infectious Disease Screening and Vaccination
UCC Infectious Disease Screening and Vaccination Policy
Students* on certain courses with a placement in a clinical setting are subject to the UCC ID Screening and Immunisation Policy.
Students on certain courses must attend UCC Student Health Department for Infectious Disease Clearance.
Infectious Diseases Screening and Vaccination Policy
*The School of Nursing and Midwifery1. is subject to HSE Occupational Health policy and procedures.
The Table below summarises the recommendations2 contained within the policy.
| Infectious Disease(s) | Vaccine | Recommendation | Recommended minimum no. of doses and minimum dosing intervals |
Clearance or Immunity Standard | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B | Engerix | Vaccination Strongly Recommended2 |
|
Anti HBs level ≥10mIU/ml |
|||||||||
| Measles Mumps Rubella |
MMR | Vaccination Strongly Recommended2 | MMR 2 doses, 4 weeks apart |
Documentation of 2 doses of MMR5,6 |
|||||||||
| Chicken Pox (Varicella) | Varivax | Vaccination Strongly Recommended2 | Varivax 2 Doses, 4-8 weeks apart |
Written confirmation from Documentation of completed course of Varicella Vaccine OR VZ IgG serology positive |
|||||||||
| Tuberculosis | BCG7 | BCG Vaccine not required |
Students should be TB Screened and cleared prior to attending on placement. | TB Screening is Negative for active TB. | |||||||||
| Exposure Prone Procedure (EPP) Clearance | - | All students on programmes9 which involve students undertaking EPPs to be screened to confirm they are non-infectious with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. | EPP Blood Test undertaken before students can undertake EPPs | Hep B and Hep C non-infectivity confirmed using Identified Validated Standard Sample undertaken only in UCC Student Health Department4 |
NOTES
1. This table does not apply to UCC Nursing and Midwifery students. These students are subject to HSE policy.
2. Vaccinations recommended as per the National Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland (Healthcare settings, Chapter 4). Students who decline vaccination or are unable to achieve and sustain adequate levels of immunity may be unable to undertake placements in certain settings such as augmented care units. This may prevent them acquiring the core competencies required to graduate from their programme and the student may be required to transfer to an alternative exit degree programme.
3. Lifelong immunity is deemed to have been attained if an anti HBs levels of ≥10mIU/ml is achieved following the recommended schedule for healthcare workers.
4. Identity Validated Sample Standard requires the student to provide Photo ID at time of blood sampling, and that the sample is taken and processed by the UCC Student Health Department.
5. Individuals born on or before 31/12/1978 are considered to be clinically immune to each of Measles Mumps and Rubella by virtue of likely prior exposure to the wild virus. Evidence of immunity for individuals born since 1978 is documented evidence of 2 doses of MMR, or documented evidence of having previously suffered clinical measles, mumps and rubella. In the absence of this evidence the student should be vaccinated with a lifetime total of 2 doses of MMR.
6. Students who believe they have definitely had 2 doses of MMR and who are unable to provide documentation may undergo serology testing for MMR IgG titres. Only Measles and Rubella IgG positive status are considered reliable predictors of immunity to these infections. Mumps IgG serology is not a reliable predictor of immunity to Mumps. Where any of MMR IgG serology is negative or equivocal, or in an MMR outbreak situation, vaccination of at least 2 lifetime doses of MMR is recommended.
7. BCG is not part of the routine control of Tuberculosis in some countries, e.g. US and Canada.
8. The accelerated schedule for Hep B vaccination is used only where a student is likely to be undertaking an Exposure Prone Procedure within 6 months of registration.
9. Programmes involving EPPs are Medicine, Paramedic studies, Dentistry, Dental Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Speech and Language Therapy.
