Incoming Healthcare Students
Vaccination and Screening of Healthcare Students
Infectious Disease Screening of incoming students
Students* on certain courses with a placement in a clinical setting are subject to the UCC ID Screening and Immunisation Policy.
Incoming students on certain courses must attend UCC Student Health Department for Infectious Disease Clearance.
Infectious Disease Screening and Vaccination Policy
*The School of Nursing and Midwifery is subject to HSE Occupational Health policy and procedures.
Important information about our Infectious Disease Screening procedures
- Get your vaccination records ASAP – In particular, evidence of 2 doses of MMR.
- Open the MS Form below with your UCC student ID email. Answer the TB screening questions. (You may need to enable Cookies)
- Use the MS Form below to upload records of; MMR x 2, Hepatitis B x 3 (or 4), Varicella x1 (or 2), BCG. previous TB screening tests, if previously received. (You may need to enable Cookies)
- Attend UCC Student Health for Infectious Disease clearance on dates as per your timetable.
- There is a 110 Euro core fee for this service due at the 1st visit . Additional fees apply for any other vaccinations or TB tests.
- You will usually get a text message to confirm the time of your appointment 2-3 days before your scheduled appointment date.
- Find us at 100m past the Bean and Leaf Coffee Shop at Victoria Cross, in the direction of The Kingsley Hotel.
- You must attend these appointment until UCC Student Health advises you that you have completed your ID Screening requirements.
- Always bring Passport or Driving Licence photo ID to these appointments until advised that it is no longer necessary.
Obtaining relevant vaccines' documentation: Ireland
If you have spent your childhood in Ireland, your GP may have some or alll of your vaccination records.
Use the following link to request records from the HSE: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/whoweare/requestrecord.html
Search: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/whoweare/lhos.html to find the relevant Local Health Office’s contact to request your vaccination records.
Obtaining relevant vaccines' documentation: Overseas
If you have spent your childhood overseas, consider contacting your GP/Family Physician/Local Health clinic to obtain your records or use links below.
Malaysia: Ministry of Health Malaysia: www.moh.gov.my
Canada: Immunisation Canada on http://www.immunize.ca/en/learn/records.aspx
USA: Local GP, Paediatrician or How to find my US child immunisation records
Singapore: https://www.nir.hpb.gov.sg/nirp/eservices/login
You may have received vaccines elsewhere, if so contact the relevant provider e.g. ; University Student Health Service, Travel Vaccination clinic etc. to obtain your records.
TB Screen and Vaccine Data Form
Complete the Form and Upload your Vaccination Records
If the Form fails to load, refresh the webpage, or press F5 on keyboard. You may need to enable Cookies and/or use a laptop or PC.
You must be logged on to the UCC network using your UCC Student ID/email to access this Form.
Enter your responses, continue to scroll to the end of the Form, and then click Submit when finished.
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: Can I receive these vaccinations before arriving at the university?
A: Yes, you may receive the vaccinations before you start in UCC. Please ensure you submit documented proof of vaccination records to UCC Student Health
A: Yes, you can begin the series in your home country. Please ensure you submit documented proof of the vaccination records to UCC Student Health. You can then complete the remaining doses at UCC Student Health.
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 deadline by which the courses of vaccinations must be completed
A: Yes, however the deadline varies according to the programme you are undertaking and you will be advised once you start in UCC.
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: The minimal fee payable by all 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.
In addition to core fee of 110 Euro you will be liable for other fees, if you need vaccines or TB screening tests .
| Item (payable if you require any of the following) |
Fee |
| Hepatitis B vaccine (per dose-course usually 3-4 doses) |
40 |
| Varicella Zoster vaccine (per dose-course usually 2 doses) |
60 |
| TB IGRA blood test (one test only, if required) |
100 |
| TB Mantoux test (per test, Usually 2 tests, if required) |
50 |
| Chest X Ray (One only, if required) |
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: I have had TB tests completed in my home country, will this be accepted by UCC Student Health?
A: TB screening with documented evidence of an IGRA Quantiferon, TST, or CXR that has been undertaken external to Student Health is accepted by Student Health provided it was undertaken no longer than 12 months prior to start date in UCC.
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.
TB Screening.
Screening Healthcare Students for Tuberculosis involves a series of TB screening questions, and in some cases an IGRA quantiferon Test +/- a Chest X-Ray.
Healthcare Students who are concerned that they may have contracted TB or have been exposed to a case of open TB resulting in them developing symptoms such as:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained persistent cough ongoing for > 3 weeks
- Unexplained fevers or drenching night sweats
- Coughing up blood or blood stained sputum
- becoming ill having spent time in a country with a high prevalence of TB
should attend their Doctor or Student Health Department explaining their concerns where the Doctor can consider if further investigation is needed.
BCG Vaccine.
BCG vaccine is not required for your course, however you are required to attend for TB Screening.