Glossary

Contraindication: Some people will have serious reactions when given drugs or vaccines. When there is a valid medical reason that makes the administration of a vaccine dangerous to the person receiving it, or in the case of a pregnant woman to her unborn child we say the the vaccine is contraindicated. A valid contraindication will allow us to recommend that you be given a waiver exempting you from that specific vaccination requirement. Valid contraindications are listed in the information distributed to physicians. You can look them up by consulting some of the Web Sites on our Links Page.

Antibody Titer: This is a blood test that can be ordered by your doctor to determine if you have immunity to an infectious disease. Antibody titer tests are available for many of the diseases that regulations require you to be immunized against. In instances where you have no immunization records you do have an option of providing the Panel Physician with written copies of antibody titer test results showing immunity in order to avoid receiving a vaccination. Antibody titer blood tests may be covered by provincial medicare. In some jurisdictions antibody titer tests results may take a week or two to obtain. We suggest that you visit with your doctor as soon as you receive instructions from U.S. Immigration in order to discuss your immunization requirments.