School-based Immunizations

School-based immunization clinics occur twice in the school year – once in the Fall and once in the Spring.

Your child can receive up to 3 school-based vaccines (Meningococcal Conjugate-ACYW-135, Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)) in one visit if they are eligible. If your child is receiving 3 vaccines in one visit, they will receive two vaccines in one arm and one vaccine in the other arm.

During school-based immunization clinics, consent is obtained from parents using the School Vaccination Consent Form. If you submitted a consent form for the first round of school-based immunization clinics, you do not need to complete a new consent form for the second round. The consent form you previously submitted is valid for the first and second dose of your child’s vaccines. If you wish to verify, update or revoke your consent, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311.

During community-based immunization clinics, consent is obtained verbally from the client as per the Health Care Consent Act.

Eligible students in grades 7-12 who are missing doses of school-based vaccines can attend a community-based clinic to receive these vaccines. Visit Halton’s School-based Immunizations webpage regularly for updates on community-based clinic locations and schedules.

Eligible students can also request these vaccines from their primary healthcare provider. Remember to report all vaccinations to Halton Region Public Health using the online immunization reporting system (external link). You do not need to report vaccines administered by Halton Region Public Health at a school-based or community-based clinic. If your child does not have a primary healthcare provider, visit the Halton Physicians Accepting New Patients webpage.

Students who were immunized with a first dose of Hepatitis B or HPV will need to wait 6 months or the appropriate time interval for their next dose of these vaccines. The series does not need to be restarted. View the routine immunization schedule for more information.

No. If they have received a complete and properly spaced Twinrix® vaccine series, they don’t need another Hepatitis B vaccine. If they did not complete the Twinrix® vaccine series, they are encouraged to complete it with their primary health care provider.

Children 5 years or older do not need to wait between receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and receiving any of the three school-based vaccines.

Yes. These vaccines have been offered together safely for many years, along with other routine vaccinations in childhood. Getting more than one vaccine at the same time ensures students get the best protection against serious diseases earlier, rather than later.

Yes, your primary healthcare provider may be able to provide school-based vaccines (Meningococcal ACYW-135, Hepatitis B, and HPV). They are free as long as your child is eligible for a publicly funded dose. These vaccines will have to be ordered for your child, so please contact your primary healthcare provider if you are interested in this option.

If you do not have a primary healthcare provider, visit the Halton’s Physicians Accepting New Patients webpage.

For any missed doses, you can inquire with your healthcare provider or attend a community-based clinic. Appointments will be available for all eligible students. Please check the community-based immunization clinic schedule regularly for updates on community-based clinic locations and schedules.

Halton Region Public Health is continuing to work with the Ministry of Health on the enforcement of mandatory vaccines under the Immunization of Students and Pupils Act (ISPA). Meningococcal ACWY-135 is a required vaccine as per ISPA. If you choose not to vaccinate your child, you will eventually need to obtain an exemption from Halton Region Public Health in order for your child to continue attending school.

ISPA will not be enforced during the 2022/2023 school year. Vaccine education sessions are not available at this time, and therefore Halton Region Public Health is not currently accepting submissions for non-medical exemptions. Please check our Vaccine Exemption for Children webpage regularly for updates.

You can request or view a copy of your child’s immunization online (external link) or by calling 311. Individuals 16 and older must request their own records, as parents cannot access records without their permission.

Before the clinic, talk to your child about the vaccines they will be receiving. Discuss the importance of vaccines to protect your child from certain diseases. Ask your child about any concerns they may have. Talk about your expectation for them to have the vaccine. You can also review and practice helpful ways to stay calm (e.g. count to ten, take slow and deep breaths, look away from the needle).

Visit Immunize Canada for more information (external link) about preparing your child for their vaccinations (external PDF).