SUSPENSIONS UNDER THE IMMUNIZATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS ACT FOR 2023/24
Parents/guardians of students who received ISPA-related letters should call their closest branch office to discuss vaccine reporting and clinic options, and to book an appointment if needed.
Scroll down for more information about TBDHU’s school vaccine programs.
Immunization of School Pupils Act
The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires that all students have proof of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), polio, measles, mumps and rubella (German measles), meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and chickenpox (required for children born in 2010 or later). Vaccines that protect against these infections are free in Ontario through Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule.
Grades 2-5 and High School – 2023/24 School Year
The suspension period for students in Grades 2-5 and High School has ended for the 2023-2024 school year.
Grades 2-5 and High School – 2023/24 School Year
TBDHU is enforcing the ISPA including a suspension process for students in Grades 2-5 and High School. For more information, see the sections below.
Senior Kindergarten-Grade1 and Grades 6-8 – 2023/24 School Year
TBDHU will review and assess all immunization records for students in Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 and in grades 6-8 in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. TBDHU will also notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information. TBDHU will NOT enforce the suspension process. However, these students may be eligible for suspension in future school years if they are missing vaccines or information from their records.
Families/Students with Specific Needs
If you/your family has specific needs in order to comply with ISPA, please contact us. We provide individualized support to families as needed.
Children Starting School in Ontario
Children who are starting kindergarten, previously home schooled, previously attended a private school, or attending school in Ontario for the first time must submit a copy of their immunization record to TBDHU so staff have an accurate history of the child’s vaccines to determine whether the child has all the vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. See the Students Entering School in September 2024 section below for details on how to submit this information.
The suspension period for students in Grades 2-5 and High School has ended for the 2023-2024 school year.
Students in Grades 2-5
For the 2023/24 school year in the District of Thunder Bay, TBDHU will review and assess all Grade 2-5 student immunization records, notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information, and offer suspension clinics. TBDHU will also return to the full ISPA process, including the suspension process for students in grades 2-5 who are overdue and whose records remain incomplete.
For students still needing to be immunized, please contact your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
High School Students
For more information on the process for High School students and the timelines for each community, please see the Vaccines for High School Students section below and open the District Communities tab.
Vaccines for Students in Grades 7 and 8
TBDHU hosts school-based vaccine clinics for children in Grade 7 each school year.
These clinics are the easiest way to keep your child up to date on their vaccines.
For a list of school visit dates, please see the School Clinic Schedule tabs below, based on where the child attends school.
Consent Process
Grade 7 students receive a consent form package at their school in the fall to take home.
Parents/guardians can call TBDHU to provide consent over the phone OR send a signed consent form to the school office at any time BEFORE the school clinic date.
Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.
Missed Clinics
Students who miss the school visit will receive information in the mail about how to catch up. Additional information is available in the section below Where to get a missing dose of vaccine
Recommended Vaccines
Students are eligible to receive:
*Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine (1 dose needed); eligible until the vaccine is received.
Human papillomavirus (HPV-9) vaccine (2 doses); eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at age 15 and older require 3 doses to complete.
Hepatitis B vaccine (2 doses needed); students are eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at 16 and older require 3 doses to complete.
*Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) is required for school attendance in Ontario or a valid exemption must on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) section at the top of this webpage.
TBDHU visits all schools with Grade 7 students. See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule.
Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic.
Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.
Please note these dates are subject to change.
School
First Clinic Date(s)
Second Clinic Date(s)
Algonquin Public School
November 14, 2023
May 14, 2024
Armstrong Public School
November 9, 2023
TBD
Bishop Gallagher
Nov 9 & 10, 2023
May 9 & 10, 2024
Bishop EQ Jennings
Nov 16, 2023
May 16 & 17, 2024
CD Howe Public School
November 14, 2023
May 14, 2024
Claude E Garton Public School
October 19, 2023
May 28, 2024 (new date)
Crestview Public School
October 5, 2023
April 18, 2024
École élémentaire catholique La Vérendrye
October 12, 2023
April 16, 2024
École Elsie MacGill
November 30 & December 1, 2023
May 30 & 31, 2024
École Gron Morgan
November 2 & 3, 2023
May 2 & 3, 2024
École Publique
October 24, 2023
April 25, 2024
Five Mile Public School
November 2, 2023
May 21, 2024
Gorham & Ware Public School
October 10, 2023
April 11, 2024
Kakabeka Falls Public School
October 5, 2023
April 12, 2024
Kingsway Park Public School
November 28, 2023
May 28, 2024
McKellar Park Public School
November 21, 2023
May 21, 2024
McKenzie Public School
October 19, 2023
April 23, 2024
Nor’Westerview Public School
October 19, 2023
April 25, 2024
Ogden Community Public School
November 21, 2023
May 21, 2024
Pope John Paul II
November 23 & 24, 2023
May 23 & 24, 2024
Seventh Fire
October 26, 2023
April 30, 2024
St. James Public School
November 7, 2023
May 7, 2024
Sherbrooke Public School
December 5, 2023
June 11, 2024
Thunder Bay Christian School
October 20, 2023
April 30, 2024
Upsala Public School
October 23, 2023
TBD
Valley Central Public School
October 17, 2023
April 18, 2024
Vance Chapman Public School
November 7, 2023
May 7, 2024
Westmount Public School
December 5, 2023
June 11, 2024
Whitefish Valley Public School
October 5, 2023
April 19, 2024
Woodcrest Public School
November 2 & 3, 2023
May 2 & 3, 2024
The TBDHU will be visiting all district community schools with Grade 7 students.
See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule.
Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic.
Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.
Please note these dates are subject to change.
School
First Clinic Date(s)
Second Clinic Date 2024
B.A. Parker
October 19, 2023
April 22, 2024
Dorion Public
October 12, 2023
May 8, 2024
École Catholique Val-des-Bois
May 15, 2024
École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima
October 20, 2023
April 22, 2024
École Publique Franco-Manitou
November 8, 2023
May 15, 2024
École St-Joseph
October 19, 2023
April 22, 2024
Franco-Terrace Catholique
October 26, 2023
May 13, 2024
George O'Neill Public
October 11, 2023
May 8, 2024
Holy Angels Catholic
October 26, 2023
May 21, 2024
Holy Saviour Catholic
November 8, 2023
May 15, 2024
Manitouwadge Public School
November 8, 2023
May 15, 2024
Margaret Twomey Public
November 7, 2023
May 15, 2024
Marjorie Mills Public
October 20, 2023
April 22, 2024
Nakina Public
Please contact Nakina Medical Clinic or the TBDHU Greenstone Branch Office if you are missing a dose.
Notre-Dame-des-Écoles
Please contact Nakina Medical Clinic or the TBDHU Greenstone Branch Office if you are missing a dose.
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic
October 20, 2023
April 22, 2024
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
November 8, 2023
May 15, 2024
Schreiber Public
October 26, 2023
May 21, 2024
St. Edward Catholic
October 11, 2023
May 8, 2024
St. Hilary Catholic
October 12, 2023
May 8, 2024
St. Joseph's Catholic
October 19, 2023
April 22, 2024
St. Martin Catholic
October 26, 2023
May 1, 2024
Terrace Bay Public
October 26, 2023
May 1, 2024
If you can’t find your child’s immunization package, it can be downloaded from the following links. All materials are available in English and French.
Consents provided in Grade 7 remain valid in Grade 8 if your child missed being immunized in their Grade 7 year.
Students in Grade 8 who submitted a consent form while in Grade 7 but did not receive the immunizations can receive the immunizations in Grade 8 at the TBDHU immunization school clinic during the 2023/2024 school year.
Students in Grade 8 who did not submit a consent form while in Grade 7 are also able to receive these immunizations. We encourage parents who did not consent in Grade 7 and who wish for their child to receive these vaccines in Grade 8 to call us at (807) 625-5900 to speak to an immunization nurse. Please see the school clinic calendar tabs below for the details on the dates and times of these school visits across the TBDHU service area.
Ensuring that your child gets their missing doses at a school clinic is an easy way to get them caught up on their vaccines. However, it is recommended that they receive the missed doses as soon as possible by choosing one of the options below.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. If your child gets a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, don’t forget to send this information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
TBDHU nurses will be providing the following three immunizations at elementary schools in the fall and then again in the spring, to all grade 7 students. The in-school clinic dates schedule can be found above.
Men-C-ACYW-135 (1 dose only, fall) * required for school attendance
Hepatitis B (2 doses, 6 months apart, fall and spring)
HPV-9 (Gardasil®9) (2 doses, 6 months apart, fall and spring)
Yes, one dose of each of the three vaccines will be offered at the first visit in the fall. MenC-ACYW-135 only requires one dose.
TBDHU nurses return to the school in the spring, to complete the second dose of Hepatitis B and HPV-9. MenC-ACYW-135 will be offered in the spring for those who missed it in the fall.
Yes. Your child’s immune system can easily handle many vaccines at once. Receiving multiple vaccines is safe, convenient, and ensures the best protection for your child at the earliest age possible.
Yes. On September 28, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated its recommendations on the co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. Based on NACI’s review of the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, NACI recommends that non-COVID-19 vaccines may be given on the same day, or at any time before or after the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide
No, they are all separate vaccinations and each requires separate consent. Both arms will be used so it is best to wear a shirt with easy access to the upper arm.
Common side effects are redness, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site on the arm. Some children experience a headache, fever, and fatigue.
Please visit our ICON website to view the record online. You can also contact our vaccine records department by calling 807-625-5900 or emailing vaccines@tbdhu.com (in Thunder Bay) or by contacting your local branch office.
Yes, they can. Please complete the consent form and indicate on the form the dates of the previous doses. A nurse will ensure the timing is correct prior to administering the next dose.
You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or your local branch office.
No. As per the Canadian Immunization Guide, a vaccine series does not need to be restarted regardless of the time between doses. The nurse will simply complete the missing dose(s) at the school and your child will be up to date.
No, COVID-19 vaccines will not be offered at school clinics. Please visit COVID-19 Vaccines for information about COVID-19 vaccine opportunities. Anyone age 6 months and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes, if your child missed these vaccines in grade 7 they are eligible to catch up until the end of grade 12. You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contacting your local branch office.
Meningococcal ACYW-135 is required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Students who do not have complete immunization records can be suspended from school under ISPA. Please ensure that the mandatory vaccines are up to date and reported to the health unit as soon as possible.
Although Hepatitis B and HPV-9 are not required for school attendance, they are strongly recommended.
Yes. Please submit the paper consent form and indicate ‘NO’ in the vaccine consent boxes. It is very helpful for the nurses on clinic day to have completed consent forms for all students. To submit your child’s records please write the dates on the consent form, get your Health Care Provider to fax records, mail/or drop off records, or submit them via the ICON website.
You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or your local TBDHU branch office. You can also wait until the spring school clinics to start their vaccine series.
If they completed a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine they do not need to repeat the Hepatitis B vaccine at school. Fill out the paper consent with the dates the vaccine was received and indicate ‘NO’ in the consent box for the Hepatitis B vaccine. If they have not received the full series, a nurse will reach out and advise if the vaccine is needed.
Yes, the Men-C-C vaccine received at 12 months of age is not the same as the Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine that is offered in Grade 7. Men-C-ACYW is used to protect adolescents against 4 strains of meningitis (ACYW-135) whereas the Men-C-C vaccine received in infancy provides protection against the C strain only.
As per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), only one valid dose of Men-C-ACYW-135 after age one is required for school attendance. However, your child is still eligible for a publicly funded dose of Men-C-ACYW-135 in Grade 7. Antibodies can wane overtime so receiving another dose is recommended, however optional. For more information on a second dose please call 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contact your local branch office.
Vaccines required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) will need a valid religious or conscientious exemption form completed. For instructions on religious or conscientious exemptions and to download a form, view the “exemptions” drop-down menu on this page.
Please submit the paper consent and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of exemption.
For instructions on medical exemptions and to download a form to be completed by your primary care provider, view the “Exemptions” drop-down menu under the "Immunization of School Pupils Act" section on this page.
Please submit a paper consent and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of medical exemption.
Yes. You can make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contacting your local branch office.
Parent attendance at school clinics is not ideal as students are called to the clinic by class, therefore the time of day that your child will be immunized is difficult to determine. If you would prefer to attend the appointment with your child, you can book an appointment with your Primary Care Provider or at the health unit. To book at the health unit, call 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contact your local branch office.
Vaccines for High School Students
There is no minimum age of consent for medical treatment in Ontario. Parental consent is encouraged. However, if a high school student attends a school clinic and requests an immunization, TBDHU nurses will assess their capacity to understand the information relevant to making the decision, such as the risks and benefits of the vaccines they are eligible to receive. It is encouraged to talk to your child about the vaccines they are eligible to receive and the options for consenting.
School Clinic Calendar
TBDHU visits high schools once per school year to offer the Tdap vaccine to eligible students. Other missing ISPA-required vaccines may be offered at the same time. To learn more about the Tdap and other recommended vaccines, see the Recommended Immunizations section below.
Dates for the 2023/2024 school year are found below. Consents will be mailed directly to the student’s home addresses and should be returned to the school.
School
Clinic Date(s)
Dennis Franklin Cromarty
January 16, 2024
Hammarskjold High School
December 7 & 8, 2023
La Verendrye
January 11 & 12, 2024
Seventh Fire
June 4, 2024
St. Ignatius High School
January 8 & 9, 2024
St. Patrick High School
January 18 & 19, 2024
Superior CVI
December 11 & 12, 2023
Westgate CVI
December 14 & 15, 2023
For the 2023/24 school year, TBDHU will review and assess all high school student immunization records, notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information, and offer vaccine clinics in high schools, as well as suspension clinics. TBDHU will also return to the full ISPA process, including the suspension process for high school students who are overdue and whose records remain incomplete.
For specific dates regarding this process, see the timeline outlined in the table below for each District community.
Community
Request for Information Notice: Suspension Prevention
High School Vaccination Clinic
Order of Suspension Notice
Suspension in Effect
Suspension Vaccination Clinic
Greenstone
February 12, 2024
March 18, 2024
April 8, 2024
April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024
Terrace Bay & Schreiber
February 19, 2024
April 29 & May 1, 2024
April 15, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Nipigon, Red Rock & Dorion
February 26, 2024
April 3, 2024
April 22, 2024
May 7, 2024
May 7, 2024
Marathon & Manitouwadge
March 4, 2024
April 15, 2024
April 29, 2024
May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
School Clinic Calendar
School
Clinic Date - 2024
Nipigon-Red Rock District High
April 3
Lake Superior High
April 29 & May 1
Geraldton Composite High School
March 18
École Secondaire Chateau Jeunesse
March 18
Manitouwadge High
April 15
Marathon High
April 15
École Secondaire Cité-Supérieure
April 15
Students Entering School in September 2024
TBDHU needs a copy of the immunization records of all students entering school in September 2024, including children who:
are starting kindergarten
were previously homeschooled
previously attended a private school
will be attending school in Ontario for the first time
TBDHU staff need an accurate history of your child’s vaccines so they can determine whether your child has all the vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
Most health care providers do not forward immunization information to TBDHU.
If your child received a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, it is your responsibility as their parent/guardian to share this information with the TBDHU.
You can ensure that your child’s records are up-to-date when they start school by:
Creating a secure Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) account for your child and submitting all of their vaccine records to us through ICON, OR
Completing the TBDHU School Entry Form, attaching a copy of all of your child’s vaccine records, and dropping off in person, mailing, or faxing it to your closest TBDHU office.
Where to get a missing dose of vaccine
Students who miss a vaccine clinic at school will receive information in the mail explaining options. Students who need vaccines can access immunizations through:
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. If your child gets a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, don’t forget to send this information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay Area
Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. See the COVID-19 vaccines webpage for more information.
Recent High School Graduates Missing Routine School-Aged Immunizations
Over the last few years, some young adults may have missed opportunities to receive publicly-funded vaccines that have age or grade-based eligibility. Ontario has temporarily expanded the eligibility criteria for some of these vaccines. Recent high school graduates who think they may have missed publicly funded vaccines that are routinely given in school should call 807-625-5900 or their local branch office to speak to a nurse to see which vaccines they are eligible for, which may include:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV-9) Vaccine
Meningococcal Conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) Vaccine
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
You should also stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines. See the COVID-19 vaccines webpage for more information.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
1. Thunder Bay Area
Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your eligibility for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
Students learning from home who need vaccines can access immunizations in the following ways:
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. See the COVID-19 vaccines webpage for more information
Exemptions
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, your child can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief.
No part of the ISPA affidavit can be altered (e.g. clients writes in COVID-19 vaccine) in any way and no public health unit, including TBDHU, can accept the altered document.
If a parent/legal guardian does not agree with any part of the affidavit, they must attach a separate letter or note that can be submitted with the affidavit.
Following the completion of the education session video and Statement of Conscience or Religious form, make your way to the TBDHU office in Thunder Bay Monday-Friday between 9 am-4 pm and ask to see a VPD nurse. You will receive a Vaccine Education Certificate signed and dated by a VPD nurse, as well as review and sign an attestation form with a VPD nurse. Residents in District communities should contact their local branch office for further direction.
Parents/guardians seeking an exemption in Thunder Bay must book an appointment to ensure a nurse is available to complete this process. Appointments can be booked by calling 807-625-5900 in Thunder Bay.
Make copies of your signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and submit the original to your nearest TBDHU office. It is important to keep a copy for your records.
For Further Information
Call a vaccine nurse at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 294-6630.
