Important Updates
- Halton Region Public Health community-based immunization clinics are now closed.
- Additional community-based immunization clinics will be held on February 17, 2023 to help students in grades 7 to 12 (born in 2005-2010) and some students born in 2002-2004 catch-up on missed doses of school-based vaccines.
- Beginning February 9, 2023, eligible students can book an appointment online at community clinics across Halton. Appointments are preferred and walk-ins will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Please note: community-based immunization clinics do not offer COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines.
School-based immunization clinics
Halton Region Public Health has completed the first round of 2022/2023 school-based immunization clinics for grade 7 and 8 students. We will be returning in Spring 2023 for the second round of school-based immunization clinics.
Parents/guardians who submitted a consent form to their child’s school during the first round of school-based immunization clinics, do not need to submit a new consent form.
Parents/guardians who wish to update their child’s consent can submit a new consent form(PDF file) to their child’s school during the second round of school-based immunization clinics in Spring 2023.
Parents/guardians who wish to revoke their child’s consent can email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311.
Routine grade 7 and catch-up grade 8 immunization schedule
The following school-based vaccines are offered to eligible students:
*Meningococcal Conjugate-ACYW-135 is a required immunization for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Learn more about obtaining a medical or non-medical exemption for this vaccine and other mandatory vaccines.
If your child has already received these vaccines from their primary healthcare provider, please review and update your child’s immunization record (external link) online (external link).
School-based immunization clinic schedule
Halton Region Public Health will be returning to schools in Spring 2023 for the second round of school-based immunization clinics. Please check back regularly for updates to the school-based immunization clinic schedule.
Community-based immunization clinics 2023 will be held on February 17, 2023 to help students in grades 7 to 12 (born in 2005-2010) and some students born in 2002-2004 catch-up on missed doses of school-based vaccines.
Beginning February 9, 2023, eligible students can book an appointment online at community clinics across Halton. Appointments are preferred and walk-ins will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The following school-based vaccines are offered at community-based clinics:
*Meningococcal Conjugate-ACYW-135 is a required immunization for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Learn more about obtaining a medical or non-medical exemption for this vaccine and other mandatory vaccines.
Community-based immunization clinics will be held on February 17, 2023. More information regarding clinic location details will be available soon.
Who is currently eligible
School-based vaccines are publicly funded and available for free to eligible students.
*These students remain eligible for the HPV vaccine until August 31, 2023; the vaccine series must be complete by that date.
Eligible students who are missing doses of school-based vaccines can also request these three vaccines from their primary healthcare provider. Remember to report all vaccinations done with your primary healthcare provider to Halton Region Public Health using the online immunization reporting system (external link). If your child does not have a primary healthcare provider, visit the Halton Physicians Accepting New Patients webpage.
How to prepare for your child’s immunization
Follow these steps to get ready for your child’s immunization:
FAQs
School-based immunization clinics occur twice in the school year – once in the Fall and once in the Spring.
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.
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.