An update to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) immunization policy for pupils says medical students will now have fewer barriers to completing their placements and graduating..According to a letter obtained by the Western Standard, Bow Valley College sent an email Wednesday morning to students advising that AHS has updated their COVID-19 immunization requirements for learners..In the email, Bow Valley College indicated it had received instruction from AHS stating students who began their program prior to November 30, 2021, will not need to be immunized to attend their clinical placements at an AHS site..The Western Standard contacted Bow Valley College for comment on the vaccination policy update and was directed to contact AHS with our inquiries..AHS confirmed the update to the Western Standard..“Students who have had a previous placement or were scheduled to have a placement before Nov. 30, 2021, will be allowed to continue with their placements regardless of immunization status,” said AHS in a statement..“In addition, students who had a previous placement before Nov 30, 2021, and were completing regular rapid testing in compliance with the policy, and who remain in that placement past March 10, 2022, will no longer need to provide proof of a negative rapid test to continue their placement.”.Originally AHS said, “any student in a placement that started on or before Nov. 30, 2021, and who have been testing while in their placement because they were not fully immunized, will be allowed to continue their placement without a requirement to be fully immunized or test.”.Any student starting their first placement at AHS after Nov. 30, will be required to be fully immunized..After reviewing AHS’ Student Placement Prerequisites page on its website, the WesternStandard also learned, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, the only mandatory vaccine required for all healthcare students and instructors is for rubella..As stated on the website:.All health care students and instructors must be immunized against rubella. In addition, AHS strongly recommends immunization against:.tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, (DTP)measles and mumpsvaricella (chicken pox)influenza.“AHS recommends staff receive a number of additional immunizations, and one is required by law. Rubella Immunity (vaccination or proof of immunity) is required by the Communicable Disease Regulation under the Public Health Act,” AHS told the Western Standard..Hundreds of medical students across Alberta have been trapped in a strange vaccine loophole that was created when vaccine mandates were lifted from post-secondary institutions..Although unvaccinated medical students were permitted to return to their learning, many were not able to access the placements necessary to complete their training due to lingering AHS facility and private clinic proof of vaccination requirements..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
