Proof of Immunization and Other Medical Documentation for Post-Secondary Students
Students in various programs such as health care, social work, child and youth, and education are often required to submit documentation as part of their program. This can include proof of immunization, bloodwork and lab reports, and certifications. This page outlines how you can gather the necessary documentation.
IMPORTANT: Start completing your documentation requirements as soon as you can. It may take days or even weeks to make appointments to complete all of the requirements. Leave yourself as much time as possible so you can be cleared for your placement.
Please refer to your academic program for specific details about deadlines and their documentation submission process.
Your first step is to collect any of your vaccine records, which could include:
Students who went to primary and/or secondary school elsewhere in Canada or internationally: Contacting other health units or authorities where you lived;
Looking through old papers at home, including asking your parents or guardians if they have any of your vaccine records;
Contacting previous health care providers, including the health centres of any other colleges/universities you attended;
Gathering any immunization records you provided through the visa or immigration process;
Downloading your proof of COVID-19 vaccination at Ontario.ca/get-proof (Ontario) or via your relevant provincial, state or other jurisdictional COVID-19 vaccine portal; and/or
Asking previous employers, such as the military, who may have had to keep a vaccine record for you.
Once you’ve collected your vaccine records, you should make an appointment so your vaccine record can be assessed and you can complete any other blood work or certifications required.
If you are a student at Lakehead University or Confederation College, we recommend making an appointment at the on-campus clinic to complete the next steps in your documentation process. We recommend the on-campus clinic as:
They will be more familiar with the documentation required by your program;
They will be able to either provide you with all of the vaccines/testing you require, or provide a requisition and refer you to someone who can. This simplifies the coordination needed to complete your documentation requirements.
Don’t forget to bring your vaccine records with you in case the physician or nurse needs to review them.
We recommend that you use your on-campus clinic if you can (see the section above), as they are usually familiar with your program requirements and can provide you with most or all of the services needed to complete them.
However, if you are unable to access an on-campus clinic, the following alternatives are available in Thunder Bay:
TBDHU does NOT offer TB Skin Testing to people who need the test for school or work requirements. If you are a student or a worker needing a skin test, please refer to the organizations listed at Where to get a TB Skin Test in Thunder Bay.
Your Own Health Care Provider
If you have a health care provider in Thunder Bay, you can contact them to see if they offer the vaccines you need.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
TBDHU also offers immunizations by appointment at its Main Office Vaccine Clinic at 999 Balmoral Street. Please call 807-625-5900 to book an appointment.
You may be asked to submit your vaccine record to TBDHU before your appointment. TBDHU.COM/vaxreport lists the different ways you can submit your vaccine record to TBDHU.
Depending on the vaccine and your eligibility, you may have to pay a fee. Your nurse will advise you of any costs before your appointment.
Contact Pharmacies and Walk-In Clinics to See What Vaccines they Offer
Some pharmacies and walk-in clinics may carry COVID-19, flu, and routine vaccines; however, the may carry limited supplies or types. Call before you go to any pharmacy or clinic.
A requisition from a health care provider is required for blood work. If you cannot access the clinic at your campus, please contact your health care provider or go to a walk-in clinic for a requisition. Once you have a requisition, you can make an appointment at LifeLabs (multiple locations) in Thunder Bay to complete your blood work.
Your health care provider may be able to advise if there are other labs available to complete your blood work.
For Further Information
Contact your academic program or, for questions relating to vaccines, contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at (807) 625-5900.
