Skip to main content

Program Immunizations

Rabies

Olds College partners with Alberta Health Services to provide pre-exposure rabies immunization to students enrolled in occupations that are considered high risk for rabies exposure. Students enrolled in Veterinary Technology Diploma, Veterinary Technical Assistant, and/or Veterinary Medical Receptionist programs can receive a rabies vaccine free of charge.  

Rabies vaccine consists of a series of three vaccines at specified dates. Following the immunization series, students will be provided with a lab requisition for blood work. The purpose of this blood work is to ensure you have developed adequate antibodies to rabies. It is very important that you bring your provincial health information and complete home mailing address with you to your immunization appointments.  

Any student who has previously received a rabies vaccine and/or completed serology is asked to provide documentation to the Public Health Office on Campus. Call 403.559.2150 to make an appointment. It is your responsibility to obtain this documentation. To do so, please contact your local Public Health clinic or family physician.

  • Please be aware that results of Rabies Titre testing can take 4-6 weeks to obtain. Public Health recommends confirming your rabies antibodies every two years if you continue within a high-risk occupation for rabies exposure. You will need to initiate that process with a family physician at that time. 
  • Please note: If you start or complete the series outside of Olds College, you may be responsible for the cost of the immunization.

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (dTap)

Veterinary Technology Diploma, Veterinary Technical Assistant, and/or Veterinary Medical Receptionist programs are considered high-risk occupational programs due to potential for exposure to disease/infections because of contact with animals or material from animals with infections. Alberta Health Services recommends students who are enrolled in any of the above programs, to ensure their Diphtheria, Tetanus is current and up to date.

It is your responsibility to obtain your immunization records. To do so, please contact your local Public Health clinic or family physician. 

  • Please note: All post-secondary students are eligible to receive reinforcing doses of tetanus/diphtheria every ten years.

Travel Vaccines

If you are travelling outside of Canada, it is important that the recommended travel vaccines are current and up to date. As health concerns are constantly changing in some areas of the world, please contact your local travel clinic and/or visit travel health for more information.

Need more info?