The question of whether vaccination is a prerequisite for admission to school or university in Edmonton is extremely important for parents, guardians, and students planning to begin their educational journey. Unlike some other provinces in Canada, Alberta's education system, including Edmonton, has a unique approach to childhood immunization that differs from the mandatory requirements that exist in other parts of the country. Understanding these rules is critical as they affect children's access to education, the safety of the school environment, and the health of the entire school community.
In general, there is no federal law in Canada that requires mandatory vaccination for school attendance. However, each province has its own policy on this issue. Some provinces, such as Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba, have legislation that requires parents to provide proof of vaccination for their children to attend school. However, Alberta is not included in this list of provinces, and therefore the situation in Edmonton is significantly different.
Vaccination requirements for admission to public schools in Edmonton
No mandatory vaccination for school admission
Unfortunately for some parents and guardians, Alberta does not have legislation that requires parents to provide proof of vaccination for their children to attend school. The Alberta education system, including Edmonton Public Schools, does not have the authority to deny children access to school based on their immunization status.
This means that parents can send their children to school regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against diseases included in the provincial immunization schedule. While this gives parents the right to choose whether to vaccinate their children, it can also create potential health risks in school settings where infectious diseases circulate.
School Immunization and Re-approval Program
Although Alberta does not require mandatory vaccinations for school entry, the province has an interesting program designed to ensure that children receive immunizations during their time in school. Alberta Public Health conducts reviews of children's immunization records in certain grades, specifically grades 1, 6, and 9.
During these reviews, public health nurses check children's vaccination records and offer vaccinations to those who are not fully vaccinated according to the provincial immunization schedule. This means that even if a child has not been vaccinated when they start school, they will still have the opportunity to receive the necessary vaccinations later during their schooling.
Statistics show that this “catch-up” approach is quite effective. A study found that immunization rates among children entering first grade were very low (approximately 44.5%), but by the end of first grade, the immunization rate had risen significantly to 74.8%, indicating that the school immunization program largely compensates for low immunization rates upon school entry.
Exclusion from school during measles outbreaks
Although children cannot be denied access to school due to non-immunization under normal circumstances, there is one important exception to this rule. If there is a confirmed measles outbreak in a school, Alberta Health Services has the authority to exclude children who do not have proof of immunity to measles from school.
This means that if a case of measles is identified in a classroom or school, children who cannot provide proof of measles immunization will be asked to stay home for a period determined by Alberta Health Services. This period is usually between five days after the first contact with the sick person and 21 days after the last contact.
However, parents can prevent this by having their children vaccinated against measles within 72 hours of contact with a measles case. If a child receives the vaccine within this time window, they will have preventive protection against the disease.
Vaccination policy for school staff and volunteers
Requirements for school staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
Unlike children, the Edmonton School Board has implemented certain vaccination requirements for adults who work in schools or with children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Edmonton Public Schools implemented a mandatory vaccination requirement for all school employees, contractors, and volunteers.
This policy, which began in October 2021, required all staff, including teachers, administrators, technical staff, and anyone who has contact with children on school grounds, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test every 72 hours.
The system's vaccination supervisor began disclosing vaccination status in mid-October 2021, after which staff who were not fully vaccinated or exempt from the requirement were required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test every 72 hours. Initially, these tests were administered and paid for by the school, but after December 2021, staff who remained unvaccinated had to pay for the tests themselves.
If staff refused both vaccination and testing, they were offered unpaid leave.
Current situation with staff vaccination requirements
For 2024-2025, the policy on school staff vaccination has changed significantly. Although COVID-19 remains a health concern, the requirements for mandatory staff vaccination are no longer as strict as they were during the peak years of the pandemic. However, schools still encourage staff to get annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccination requirements for admission to universities in Edmonton
General requirements for regular students
Unlike their Australian and some American counterparts, Canadian universities, including those located in Edmonton, generally do not have mandatory vaccination requirements for entry into regular programs. The University of Alberta, MacEwan University, and other higher education institutions in Edmonton do not require students to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of admission to undergraduate programs.
However, some universities have vaccination requirements for students living in dormitories (residences). For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some Canadian universities required students living in school residences to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination requirements for health programs
The situation is significantly different for students enrolled in health care programs, including medicine, nursing, applied health sciences, and other programs with practical training. For these programs, immunization is a prerequisite, and students cannot begin clinical training without the appropriate vaccinations.
For medical students at the University of Alberta, for example, mandatory vaccinations include protection against polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis B. In addition, students must undergo tuberculosis testing (Mantoux test) and have current influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations if recommended by health authorities.
For students in nursing programs at MacEwan University, the requirements are even more stringent. Students must meet health authority immunization requirements before beginning any clinical placements. These requirements are typically specified in the program and may include vaccinations against infectious diseases that pose an increased risk in medical and clinical settings.
Requirements for medical education applicants and all continuing students
All students in medical programs in Canada, including the University of Alberta and other medical schools, must meet the AFMC (Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada) immunization requirements. These requirements include mandatory vaccination and testing for the following diseases:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C: Students must be tested for HIV and Hepatitis C prior to beginning clinical training.
Tuberculosis: Students must undergo a two-step Mantoux test for tuberculosis or have appropriate documentation of a previous positive result.
Infectious disease vaccines: Medical students must have documentation of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A and B, meningococcus, and other diseases.
COVID-19: Students must have current COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses if recommended by health authorities.
Seasonal influenza: Students must receive the influenza vaccine annually at the beginning of the academic year.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in students being removed from clinical training, severe restrictions on placement opportunities, and even failure to complete the program.
Requirements for health care and other high-risk professions
For nursing and other health care students, as well as students preparing for high-risk professions, vaccination requirements are set by the health authorities that oversee clinical placements. Alberta Health Services recommends the following vaccines for health care students:
Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): Medical students must have the primary series and a booster dose at age 18 and older.
MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella): Students must have documentation of two valid doses of vaccine, measles content, or documentation of confirmed disease, or serological proof of immunity.
Hepatitis B vaccine: Students must have documentation of the primary series of vaccinations and a positive hepatitis B antibody test.
Chickenpox vaccine: Students must have documentation of two valid doses of the vaccine or serological proof of immunity.
Meningococcal vaccine: Recommended for health care students.
Rabies: Recommended for students who may have contact with animals in their work.
Tuberculosis: Mantoux test required.
Vaccination policy for students living in residence halls
COVID-19 and vaccination for dormitory residents
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some Canadian universities, including some institutions in Alberta, required students living in dormitories to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
For example, the University of Western Ontario became the first major Canadian university to require COVID-19 vaccination for students in residence. Students were required to receive at least their first dose of the vaccine before arriving at residence for the fall 2021 semester, although they had a 14-day grace period to receive their first dose after moving in if they were unable to do so earlier.
However, in Edmonton, the COVID-19 vaccination policy for residence hall residents has changed over time, and for 2024-2025, mandatory COVID-19 vaccination is no longer a requirement for students living in residence halls.
The most important diseases and vaccination requirements that are often required
Measles
Measles is one of the most important diseases for which vaccination may be required in educational institutions. Students born in 1970 or later are required to provide documentation of two valid doses of the measles vaccine, or documentation of confirmed illness, or serological proof of immunity. For students born before 1970, one dose is sufficient.
This is because measles was much more prevalent before the introduction of vaccination, and individuals born before a certain date often had natural immunity from exposure to the disease.
Mumps and rubella
Unlike measles, the vaccination requirements for mumps and rubella are the same for all students, regardless of their date of birth. Students must have documentation of two valid doses of mumps vaccine or documentation of confirmed disease. For rubella, one valid dose of rubella vaccine or serological proof of immunity is required.
Chickenpox
Health care students are recommended to have documentation of two valid doses of chickenpox vaccine or serological proof of immunity. Alternatively, students may have documentation of medically confirmed chickenpox.
How to obtain vaccination documentation for school and university admission
Obtaining vaccination records
If you need vaccination documentation for school or university admission in Edmonton, there are several ways to obtain this information. If you were vaccinated through Alberta Health Services, you can contact your local public health unit or call Health Link 811 to request a copy of your vaccination record.
Alternatively, you can access your vaccination records through MyHealth Records if you have an account. MyHealth Records allows Albertans aged 14 and older to view their health records, including vaccination records.
Preparing documentation before enrollment
If you are starting a health care program or other program that requires vaccinations, it is important to start gathering your vaccination documentation as early as possible. Many educational programs require you to provide documentation before you start your first classes.
If you have vaccination records from another province or country, make sure you have copies of these documents. If the records are in another language, you may need to have them translated into English.
Recommendations for vaccination even without mandatory requirements
Although Alberta does not require mandatory vaccination for admission to regular public schools, doctors, health authorities, and education professionals still recommend that parents have their children vaccinated according to the provincial immunization schedule. Vaccines provide protection against serious, sometimes fatal diseases, and they are one of the most important investments parents can make in their children's health.
Just because vaccination is not mandatory does not mean it is not important. Children who are vaccinated are less likely to get seriously ill, miss fewer days of school due to illness, and have better overall academic performance.
In addition, vaccinating children helps protect those children in the classroom who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as severe allergies to vaccine components or immunodeficiency.
Conclusions regarding vaccination requirements in the Edmonton school system
Therefore, in Edmonton, vaccination is not a prerequisite for children to enter public schools. Unlike some other provinces, Alberta does not have legislation requiring parents to provide proof of vaccination for school. However, the education system has a “catch-up” program in grades 1, 6, and 9 that allows children to receive the necessary vaccinations even if they were not vaccinated when they entered school.
For universities and colleges, the situation varies depending on the type of program. Regular students are not usually required to be vaccinated, although during the COVID-19 pandemic, some institutions had vaccination requirements for students in residences.
Students in health care programs, including medicine, nursing, and other clinical programs, must receive mandatory vaccinations before beginning clinical training. These requirements are set by the health authorities that oversee clinical training and practicum placements.
Parents and students should be aware of the vaccination requirements of their specific schools and programs and begin gathering the necessary documentation well in advance of the start of the school year. In addition, although vaccination is not always mandatory, it is still strongly recommended by health authorities and education professionals as the best way to protect children from serious diseases.