We recommend hepatitis B vaccinations for students who may:

• have direct contact with human blood or blood-stained body fluids,
• be exposed to sharp objects with infected blood on them,
• be likely to be bitten by a patient.

For full protection, this vaccination process involves:

1. three injections over a period of six months,
2. a blood test two months after the third dose to check the vaccinations have worked, providing protection for at least five years, and
3. a booster injection after five years for full immunity.

All students should have a documented history of two doses of the MMR vaccine, which is usually given in early childhood to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Consult your GP if you're unsure of the vaccinations you have received. They should be able to provide you with a booster if necessary.

Most people are immune to chickenpox after having contact with the virus in childhood. However, if you are a medical or dental student who is:

• unsure whether you've had the virus, or
• travelling to Bristol from overseas,

you will be given a blood test to check your immunity and will be offered the vaccination if it's needed.

The NHS have put together a useful list of COVID-19 vaccination FAQ's for students in Higher Education.

Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

All students should have a documented history of five doses of the DTP vaccine.

This is part of the childhood immunisation programme to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, completed by your GP.

If you have a clinical placement within the NHS as a medical or dental student, you will be offered a flu vaccination by the NHS Trust where you are based.

If you have any chronic medical conditions, you should take up the annual flu vaccination offered by your GP.

Obtaining occupational health clearance for your elective may require you to attend clinics for immunisations or additional tests.

It is imperative that you provide all required information to us at least three months before you intend to leave.

We cannot fast track applications and it is your responsibility to:

• ensure that you attend any appointments and collect test results,
• allow enough time (at least three months) for this process.

You will usually be given a medical elective health form by your host organisation. When you get your form, follow this process:

1. Complete as much of your medical elective health form as possible.
2. Refer to the occupational immunisation record given to you at the end of your first year. If you are unable to locate this, we keep records for each student and you can request a copy. However, this may slow down the clearance process at busy times.
3. Povide your form to the Occupational Health Service together with any information about specific clearance requirements sent by the host hospital for review and certification. It's important that you do this three months before travel.
4. We will contact you within five working days to collect your completed form. We may have to arrange an appointment if additional tests are necessary, and if this is the case, it's your responsibility to attend appointments and collect test results.

You need to arrange routine travel immunisations with your GP or travel health provider, allowing sufficient time to complete the immunisation schedules.

You may also require anti-malarial medication for the time you are abroad. These are available over the counter or on private prescription and you'll need to cover the costs related to your travel health requirements.

Host hospitals in countries including Australia and New Zealand require that you are free of MRSA. This can be done for you during a routine booked appointment. The swab is usually taken two weeks after your last contact with a patient, before you go on your elective. Allow up to two weeks for your results.

Some hospitals may require evidence of immunity to infectious diseases or absence of blood borne viruses. If a blood test is required, an appointment will be made for you and you will be able to collect the results approximately two weeks later.