Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is now required to attend school according to ISPA (Immunization of Schools Pupils Act) regulations in Ontario. Hepatitis B and HPV9 vaccine is not required to attend school. However, the Health Unit does highly recommend these vaccines.
If you cannot attend the immunization clinic that has been scheduled at the school, you can receive the vaccine at the following locations:
Parents are encouraged to discuss the information about the vaccines with their son/daughter. Parents sign the consent form. In most cases an adolescent can consent to the vaccine on their own if they are assessed as having an understanding of the benefits and risks of vaccination.
The Hepatitis B, Meningococcal ACYW-135, and HPV9 vaccines are generally given in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. Please wear a short sleeved shirt on the day of the clinic.
No, there’s no cost for vaccines covered by the publicly funded immunization program in Ontario.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hepatitis B, meningococcal ACYW-135, and HPV9 vaccine have been made available at your health care provider’s office if your child was unable to receive it at school.
Yes. This dose will act as a booster dose, provide protection against 3 additional strains of meningitis and will be valid according to the ISPA guidelines in Ontario.
The HPV9 vaccine is recommended for females and males between the ages of 9 and 26. If your child can’t begin or finish their HPV9 vaccine series while in Grade 7 they are still eligible to receive HPV9 vaccine free of charge, until they finish Grade 12. After grade 12 (up until age 26) one may choose to pay for the HPV9 vaccine however some insurance plans do cover the cost.
No. If you have received a complete and properly spaced twinrix series you don’t need further Hepatitis B vaccine. If you did not complete the twinrix vaccine series you may need to complete it with your family physician. We can also give a Hepatitis B vaccine if only one Hepatitis A/B vaccine has been given to provide protection against Hepatitis B.
Vaccines work by triggering a natural response in your body to make antibodies, which fight off disease. The antibodies train your immune system, so if you're ever exposed to the disease for real, your body then knows how to fight off the germ so you don’t get sick with the disease.
When vaccines are given on time with the right number of doses, this protection can last a long time.
Vaccines help children stay healthy. In many parts of the world, vaccine-preventable diseases are still common and can be brought home by travellers. Getting a vaccine may involve some short-term pain, redness, or tenderness in the muscle, but this is minimal compared to the possible suffering and serious health problems of the diseases these vaccines prevent.
Ask your primary health care provider (e.g., doctor or nurse practitioner). In addition, the Health Unit runs immunization clinics to update your required immunization for school by appointment. Some walk-in clinics provide vaccines.
Vaccines are shown to be safe and effective for lowering the risk of getting sick from a variety of diseases. Everyone in Ontario is encouraged to get all the required and recommended vaccines. Some students may be eligible for exemptions (e.g., due to medical reason such as an allergy). To learn more, contact your health care provider or see our Immunization Record page for more details.