Fast Facts: Vaccines and Immunizations
Definitions:
Vaccination: the act of getting a vaccine, which stimulates your immune system and results in immunity to a specified infection/disease
Immunization: the process of becoming immune or resistant to a specified infection/disease (typically through vaccination)
Vaccine Safety:
Vaccinations are an important step in eradicating the spread of disease within communities. They help to make your immune system stronger (and more resistant to infection and disease) and are safe and effective.
For more information about vaccination safety, check out: Vaccines and immunization: What is vaccination? (who.int)
Vaccines recommended before arriving at McMaster:
Many of these are included in Ontario’s childhood vaccination schedule, but some require boosters, and others are not offered in routine immunization routines. Check in with your family doctor or local Public Health unit to obtain your records.
Read on to see what vaccines are available to you.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- What is HPV? HPV is an incurable infection. It is sometimes asymptomatic but can also present with symptoms such as genital warts, and the infection can sometimes lead to cancer of the mouth, throat, cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus.
- How is it spread? HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. 3 of 4 Canadians will have at least one anogenital HPV infection (affecting the anus and/or genitals) in their lifetime, so it is important to get vaccinated to help stop the spread!
- HPV Vaccine Info: 1 to 3 vaccines are required depending on age and medical history.
Meningitis ACWY and Meningitis B (MenB)
- What is Meningitis: Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is a life-threatening illness.
- How is it spread? It is spread through close contact through methods such as kissing, sharing food/water bottles/cigarettes, etc. Students are at higher risk of contracting Meningitis because they are often living and connecting with other students in shared housing, classrooms, labs, on sports teams, or in other crowded spaces
- Meningitis ACWY and B Vaccine Info: You require 1 dose of the Men-C-ACWY for routine immunization and 2 doses of the Men-B vaccine to gain immunity.
Hepatitis A
- What is Hepatitis A: The Hepatitis A virus causes inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness.
- How is it spread: It is spread by ingesting the virus from objects, food, or drink that is contaminated with infected stool.
- Hepatitis A Vaccine Info: 2 vaccines are required for immunization.
COVID-19
- What is COVID-19: A highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can cause infection ranging from mild to severe.
- How is it spread: It is spread via droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Info: The COVID-19 vaccine can help to prevent infection and can also help to reduce the severity if you do get sick.
Seasonal Influenza
- What is Influenza: Influenza, commonly known as the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Typical symptoms include fever, head and body aches, cough, and a stuffy nose.
- How is it spread: It is spread via droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
- Influenza Vaccine Info: The flu vaccine usually changes each year. This is why it is important to get an updated vaccination each season. The new vaccine becomes available at the start of flu season, typically at the end of October. It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to take effect.
Pneumococcal
- What is pneumococcal: Pneumococcal is a disease caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. It is contagious and can cause mild to severe illnesses such as sinusitis or pneumonia.
- How is it spread: Pneumococcal disease can be spread via droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can also be spread through close contact with someone who carries pneumococcal bacteria in their nose and mouth.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine Info: Pneumococcal vaccines are not indicated for adults under the age of 65 unless the individual exhibits risk factors. Talk with your healthcare provider to see if the pneumococcal vaccine is right for you.
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
- What is Tetanus: A life-threatening infection, commonly known as “lockjaw.” The infection affects the nerves, causing painful muscle contractions, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
- What is Diphtheria: Diphtheria is a life-threatening bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, and causes symptoms such as a sore throat, difficulty breathing, fever and chills. If left untreated, it can result in complications such as breathing problems, and heart and nerve damage.
- What is Pertussis: Commonly known as “whooping cough”. Early symptoms are like that of a mild cold, but can progress to severe, uncontrollable coughing fits.
- How is Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis spread: Tetanus bacteria is found in soil, dust, and feces. It enters your body through a wound or cut in your skin. Diphtheria is spread by close contact with the discharge from an infected person’s eyes, nose, throat or skin. Pertussis is spread through droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.
- Tdap Vaccine Info: The Tdap vaccine is a part of a routine immunization schedule in Canada. Vaccination is recommended every 10 years.
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- What is Measles: Measles is a contagious infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms. Complications include pneumonia, ear infection, respiratory failure, and inflammation of the brain. People who get measles during pregnancy may have a miscarriage or go into preterm labour.
- What is Mumps: Mumps is a contagious viral disease that causes painful swelling in the cheeks and neck, fever, fatigue, and headache.
- What is Rubella: Also known as “German Measles,” rubella is a contagious viral infection that mostly affects the skin and lymph nodes. This infection is especially dangerous during pregnancy, as it can lead to major birth defects, miscarriage, and stillbirth.
- How are Measles, Mumps and Rubella spread: Measles, mumps, and rubella infections spread by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. Coughing, sneezing, and kissing can easily transmit these viruses.
- MMR Vaccine Info: Two doses of this vaccine are recommended for optimal immunity
Polio
- What is Polio: Polio is a virus that can cause nerve damage and can results in paralysis and even death
- How is it spread: The virus enters the body through your mouth, often from food or water that is contaminated with the virus from an infected person.
- Polio Vaccine Info: Depending on the age of vaccination, 3-4 doses of polio vaccine are required for immunity. Full vaccination is just under 100% effective.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- What is Chickenpox: Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease which causes flu-like symptoms and fluid-filled blister rash all over the body. The illness causes more severe symptoms in adults (compared to children). Getting chickenpox once provides immunity for life.
- How is it spread: Chickenpox is transmitted by directly touching the blisters, saliva, or mucus of an infected person. The virus can also be transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing.
- Chickenpox Vaccine Info: If you never had chickenpox, you should get vaccinated. Many university-age students are not fully vaccinated – a two-dose vaccine schedule was only introduced in 2011, and many students never got caught-up with a second dose. Two doses gives you stronger, long-term immunity.
Hepatitis B
- What is Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that can be asymptomatic, or cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, and jaundice. About 90-95% of people with an acute Hepatitis B infection will clear the infection from their body and become immune, however, the remaining 5-10% of people who do not clear the infection will develop a chronic infection.
- How is it spread: Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person and is considered a sexually transmitted and blood borne infection.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine Info: 2 or 3 doses are required, depending on the age you were vaccinated.
For more information about each of these vaccines, visit:
FAQ:
Can I get immunizations at the Student Wellness Centre?
Yes! The medical staff at the Student Wellness Centre can administer immunizations. Some immunizations may require multiple visits and may require you to obtain the vaccine from a local pharmacy before attending your appointment. In order to get any immunizations, first book an appointment by calling: 905-525-9140, ext. 27700. When booking the appointment, let the administrative staff know which vaccine you are looking to get.
How do I know what immunizations I have and which ones I still need?
Obtain your immunization records through your family doctor or the Public Health unit where you lived prior to coming to McMaster. Ensure that you bring these immunization records with you to your immunization appointment at the SWC. Our medical staff can help to guide you in which immunizations you are missing or are due for a booster.
Helpful tip: Students who attended primary or secondary school in Ontario should have a vaccination record stored with public health. Students can either call their local public health unit to get a copy or most students should now have access to an online record. The online portal is called “ICON” and can be accessed from any public health unit website. E.g. https://hph.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
Do I have to be immunized against certain things before attending university?
To keep you and the rest of the McMaster community safe, it is highly recommended to have the following immunizations before attending university:
- HPV
- Meningitis B (MenB)
- Hepatitis A
- COVID-19
- Seasonal Influenza
- Pneumococcal
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
- Meningitis ACWY
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Hepatitis B
Additionally, a review of your immunization status may be required for your faculty or program, or if you decide to volunteer in a school, seniors’ facility, or other care facility.
Looking for more information? Make an appointment at the Student Wellness Centre by calling: 905-525-9140, ext. 27700.
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