School-based Immunizations

Starting this 2025-2026 school year, and continuing in future years, public health nurses will be visiting each school once during the school year, between October and January. They will offer the school-based vaccines to Grade 7 students and provide additional doses to Grade 8 students who have not completed their vaccine series.

Grade 7 students with consent forms signed by a parent or legal guardian will receive Men-C-ACYW-135, Hepatitis B (first dose), and HPV-9 (first dose) vaccines. In Grade 8, students can receive Hepatitis B (second dose) and HPV-9 (second dose). Students can receive missed or additional doses of school-based vaccines through their primary care provider, at a public health community immunization clinic, or at a school clinic when the student is in Grade 8.

No, the vaccine series does not need to be restarted if more than 6 months passes between doses. Hepatitis B and HPV-9 vaccine series consist of two doses, given at least 6 months apart. If the same vaccines are given too close together in time (less than 6 months apart), the immune response from the first dose may interfere with the effectiveness of the second dose. However, a longer than recommended interval between doses will provide the same immunity.

Students in Halton schools will have the opportunity to receive their first doses of Hepatitis B and HPV-9 in grade 7, and their second doses a year later in grade 8. If students would like to receive their second dose before grade 8, they can follow-up with a primary healthcare provider or public health community clinic at least 6 months after their first dose.

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 immunization clinics, consent is obtained from parents using the School Vaccination Consent Form. If you wish to discuss a previously submitted school consent form, 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 who are missing doses of school-based vaccines have a few options to catch-up:

1. Request these vaccines from their healthcare provider. Remember to report all vaccinations to Halton Region Public Health (external link). If your child does not have a primary healthcare provider, visit the Halton Physicians Accepting New Patients webpage.
2. Attend a public health community immunization clinic. Check the community immunization clinic information regularly for updates on locations and schedules.
3. Wait and receive doses when public health nurses visit their school in grade 8.

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.

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 may need 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 immunization clinic. Please check the community immunization clinic schedule regularly for updates on community 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 need to obtain a vaccine exemption from Halton Region Public Health for your child to continue attending school.

Please view Vaccine Exemptions for Children webpage for more information.

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).