Beginning this school year, grade 8 girls will be offered the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine called Gardasil™ free of charge from the Health Unit. The vaccine, which will help prevent cancer of the cervix, will be given, upon consent, during the School Immunization Clinics .  

HPV is a very common virus from the family of viruses that causes genital warts. It is spread through sexual activity (by skin to skin contact) and up to 70% of people will have HPV at some time in their lives. Although most HPV infections will go away on their own with a good immune system, some HPV infections can cause cervical cancer.

Gardasil™ has been approved for use among females 9-26 years of age. Three doses of the vaccine are required over a 6 month period for complete protection. The vaccine is most effective if given before any type of sexual contact.

The vaccine will not prevent all cervical cancers. It is very effective at protecting against the two strains of HPV that cause about 70% of cervical cancers, as well as the two strains most commonly causing genital warts. Therefore, those immunized will still require regular Pap tests once they become sexually active to be screened for cervical cancer that may have been caused by one of the other 11 HPV strains.

The first of dose of Gardasil™will be offered during the September 2007 school clinics with subsequent doses to be offered before the end of the 2007-2008 school year. The vaccine is only government-funded (free of charge) for grade 8 girls, at this time. Other eligible individuals may purchase the 3-dose vaccine through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit for $140 per dose or through their health care provider for a total cost of $400-500 for the series. Some private health plans cover some or all of the cost.

For more information call the Vaccine Preventable Disease department at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-5971 or 625-8346.

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NEW CHILDHOOD VACCINES - A DESCRIPTION AND ELIGIBILITY

In January 2005, three publicly funded vaccines were added to the recommended schedule of routine childhood immunizations: vaccines for chicken pox, meningococcal meningitis and pneumococcal disease.

To find out if your child is eligible to receive these free vaccines, please see the information below.

Contact the Health Unit or your doctor if you have any questions about these or any other childhood vaccines. You can contact the Health Unit by calling the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program at 807-625-5971 or, toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, extension 5971. For more information see the Ontario Ministry of Health website.

Meningococcal C-Conjugate

This vaccine prevents invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), including meningitis and meningococcemia (meningococcal infection of the blood)

The vaccine is provided free to people in close contact with a person who has a vaccine-preventable meningococcal disease. This will continue.

First Stage

Children born on or after September 1, 2003 will be eligible to receive a single dose of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine on or shortly after their first birthday. But they must get this vaccine before their second birthday. 

If missed, they must wait until they are in grade 7.

Second Stage

As of January 2005, grade 7 students and those who missed the vaccine when they were 1 years old will be eligible to receive it.

As of January 2005, all youth 15-19 years of age will also be offered the vaccine. This campaign will continue until all eligible students are vaccinated. The campaign will also include those people of any age who are considered to be high-risk.

See the schedule for School Based Clinics for the Administration of Meningococcal Vaccine

Meningococcal Vaccine Consent

Varicella Vaccine

This vaccine assists in preventing chickenpox and its complications (e.g., bacterial skin infections).

First Stage

Children born on or after September 1, 2003 will be eligible to receive a single dose of the varicella vaccine on or shortly after their first birthday. But they must get this vaccine before their second birthday. If missed, they must wait until the second stage of the roll-out.

Second Stage

As of January 2005, those children who do not qualify for the first roll-out of the vaccine, or miss the timeframe that they could have received it, may get the vaccine once they turn 5-years-old and haven't had chickenpox yet.

High-risk people of all ages will be eligible to receive the vaccine as of this date as well.

Pneumococcal Conjugate

This vaccine prevents invasive pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis, pneumonia and infection of the bloodstream.

On January 1, 2005, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine will be available to all children born on or after January 1, 2004. Again, the vaccine must be received before their second birthday.

If not received by then, eligibility is closed.

Free New Vaccines By Age