MEASLES: ARE YOU READY TO TRAVEL?
Measles activity has been increasing worldwide. Before traveling outside of Canada, make sure your family’s vaccines are up to date. Please see the Government of Canada's measles travel health notice for more information and vaccine recommendations.
To check your or your child’s measles vaccine status:
- Contact the health care provider or clinic where you or your child received vaccines.
- Vaccine records for school-aged children can also be accessed through Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON), if you had previously set up an account.
If you or your child need to be vaccinated against measles:
- Book an appointment with your health care provider.
- If you do not have a health care provider or are unable to access vaccination before your departure date, contact the Health Unit at 807-625-5900 (press 1) or call your local branch office to learn more about the Health Unit’s vaccine clinics.
- If you or your child require other travel vaccines or medications prior to travelling, please contact the Janzen’s Pharmacy travel clinic (fees may apply) in Thunder Bay.
Suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act for 2023/24
TBDHU is resuming enforcement of suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) this year for students in grades 2-5 and high school (grades 9-12). Visit Immunizations for Children and Youth to learn more about ISPA and the vaccines it requires.
If you received a letter indicating that your child is missing information or vaccines, please follow the instructions in the letter or use the resources listed below:
- Looking to report doses your child has already received? Visit Reporting and Obtaining Immunization Records.
- Want to learn more about the special vaccine clinics TBDHU is offering for school-aged children? Visit Immunization Clinics.
- Have other questions? Call 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) or contact your local branch office.
TBDHU wants children to stay healthy and in school; we are committed to working with families to avoid suspension. Please reach out to us if your family requires any support.
Immunization and You
Ontario's Immunization Schedule
Ontario offers FREE vaccines to residents based on the Immunization Schedule. To learn what vaccines are available across the lifespan, visit the Ministry of Health webpage. All vaccines on the schedule are available through the Health Unit's immunization clinics.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
More information about diseases and the vaccines that help prevent them can be found on the Ministry of Health’s Fact Sheets and Patient Tools webpage, and at Immunize.ca.
Get Your COVID and Flu Shots!
Both COVID-19 and influenza (or “the flu”) can lead to serious medical conditions and even death. Staying up to date on COVID and flu vaccines can help reduce your risk of getting these diseases. And if you do get these diseases, being vaccinated can help make you less sick. Please visit our COVID-19 Vaccines page and ThunderBayFlu.ca for more information.
RSV Vaccine Program for High-Risk Older Adults
Ontario recently launched an RSV prevention program for people 60 years old or older who are at higher risk of serious complications from RSV or who live in settings at higher risk. To learn more about this program, the RSV program, and private options for receiving the RSV vaccine, visit RSV Vaccine Program for High-Risk Older Adults.
Travel Vaccines
Check out our travel page for more information about how to prepare for international travel, including accessing travel vaccines in our area.
Vaccine Safety
Vaccines are routinely monitored for safety and maintaining confidence in immunization programs. Although rare, adverse events following immunization can happen. Check out the vaccine safety page for more information.
For Further Information
Call the Vaccine Preventable Disease program: (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free 1 (888) 294-6630.