Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standards

Version 2.1

Comes into force March 2, 2022

Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch
Ministry of Health

To all users of this publication: The information contained in this standard has been carefully compiled and is believed to be accurate at date of publication.

For further information on the Provincial Equipment Standards for Ontario Ambulance Services, please contact:

Emergency Health Regulatory and Accountability Branch
Ministry of Health
5700 Yonge Street, 6^th Floor
Toronto, ON M2M 4K5
Tel: 416-327-7900

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Part A – Vaccine preventable diseases

The operator of each ambulance service shall ensure that:

1. Each EMA and paramedic hold:
   1. a valid certificate signed by a physician, nurse practitioner or other person authorized to administer the relevant vaccine that states that the EMA or paramedic is immunized against diseases listed in Table 1 – Part A; or
   2. a valid certificate signed by a physician or nurse practitioner that such immunization is,
      1. medically contraindicated,
      2. there is laboratory evidence of immunity (applicable only for Varicella [Chickenpox], Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Hepatitis B), or
      3. there is medically documented diagnosis or verification of history (applicable only for Varicella [Chickenpox]).
2. Each student in nursing, medicine, psychology, respiratory therapy, midwifery or a paramedic program, who attends, assists or renders first aid or emergency medical care to a patient of the operator’s ambulance service, hold:
   1. a valid certificate signed by a physician, nurse practitioner or other person authorized to administer the relevant vaccine that states that the student is immunized against diseases listed in Table 1 – Part A; or
   2. a valid certificate signed by a physician or nurse practitioner that such immunization is,
      1. medically contraindicated,
      2. there is laboratory evidence of immunity (applicable only for Varicella Chickenpox], Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Hepatitis B), or
      3. there is medically documented diagnosis or verification of history (applicable only for Varicella [Chickenpox]).

Table 1 – Part A outlines the mandatory immunization requirements for each EMA, paramedic or paramedic student as required by clause 6(1)(h) of O. Reg. 257/00 under the Ambulance Act.

Part B – Communicable diseases

The operator of each ambulance service shall ensure that:

1. Each EMA, paramedic and student in nursing, medicine, psychology, respiratory therapy, midwifery or a paramedic program, shall be free from communicable diseases listed in Table 1 – Part B.

Table 1 – Part B outlines the communicable diseases from which each EMA, paramedic or paramedic student must be free as required by clause 6(1)(g) of O. Reg. 257/00 under the Ambulance Act.

Table 1

Part A

Part B