A virus, the vice chancellors and principles of vaccination.

The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principles have stated that from 1996, all students entering medical or dental school must show evidence of non-infectivity and satisfactory completion of immunisation against hepatitis B. This is believed to be the first time that immunisation status has been part of a requirement for admission to university. The problems associated with such a programme are discussed, not the least of which is the setting of a precedent that if followed to its logical conclusion, will eventually see screening for other viral infections such as HCV and HIV, but so it seems, only when we have a vaccine.