Frequently Asked Questions About Immunization
Grade 7 School-Based Vaccines
Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is required to attend school according to the Immunization of Schools Pupils Act (ISPA) regulations in Ontario. Hepatitis B and HPV9 vaccines are optional but highly recommended.
If a student is absent or cannot receive vaccines on the day of the scheduled in-school clinic, the following options are available:
- If the student misses the fall clinic, they can wait until the Public Health Nurses come back to the school for the spring clinic.
- Book an appointment at a WECHU in-house clinic by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 1222 or by going online to www.wechu.org/getimmunized.
- In some situations, family doctors may be willing to order the vaccines from the Health Unit and administer them at their office.
Parents are strongly encouraged to discuss the information about the vaccines with their child and sign the consent form. However, in certain 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 Meningococcal ACYW-135, HB, and HPV9 vaccines are given in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. Please wear a short-sleeved shirt on the day of the clinic.
No. There is no cost for vaccines covered by the publicly funded immunization program in Ontario.
Speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner if you are interested in receiving the Meningococcal ACYW-135, HB, or HPV9 vaccines at their office. These vaccines must be ordered from the Health Unit. Discuss arrangements with your health care provider before booking an appointment.
Yes. Meningococcal vaccines at 1 year of age and in Grade 7 are part of the routine immunization schedule in Ontario. The Meningococcal ACYW-135 dose in Grade 7 will act as a booster dose and provides protection against 3 additional strains of meningitis.
The HPV9 vaccine is recommended for all individuals between the ages of 9 and 26. It is a publicly funded (free) vaccine for students in Grade 7. If a student does not complete their HPV9 vaccine series while in Grade 7, they are still eligible to receive the vaccine free of charge until they finish Grade 12. After Grade 12, the HPV9 vaccine is available for a cost (note, some insurance plans may cover the cost).
No. If you have received a complete and properly spaced Twinrix series, you do not need another Hepatitis B vaccine.
If your Twinrix series is incomplete, you may receive the Hepatitis B vaccine through the school program or you may choose to complete the Twinrix series with your health care provider.
All About Vaccines.
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.
- Vaccines are the safest and most efficient way to guard against some diseases. The best protection comes from getting your vaccine according to the Ontario schedule.
- Vaccines undergo years of research before they’re available to the public, and are continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness.
- Vaccine side effects are generally mild (e.g. sore arm, redness, or swelling at the injection site, mild fever). This means your immune system is working.
- Serious reactions are very rare.
- Multiple injections at one time are safe and do not overwhelm your immune system.
- Scientific evidence shows that vaccines do not cause autism, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other illnesses.
- The ingredients in vaccines are safe. Some ingredients help boost the immune response and some keep the vaccine stable and effective.
Ask your primary health care provider (e.g., doctor or nurse practitioner). In addition, the Health Unit runs immunization clinics to update your required immunizations 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.