Immunization Resources

Publicly funded vaccines are available from the TBDHU at no cost to eligible health care providers providing the facility meets specific criteria to ensure safe handling and storage of vaccines.

These criteria can be reviewed with TBDHU staff by calling 625-8810 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, ext. 8810.

To ensure the efficacy of vaccines the cold chain must be maintained in accordance to Ontario's Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines (PDF).

Call 625-8810 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, ext. 8810 with questions.

To support facility staff responsible for vaccine storage and handling, the TBDHU has made available an online learning module adapted from evidence-based resources. Completing this learning opportunity is highly recommended. A certificate of completion is provided.

Learn more and start the module here: Maintain the Cold Chain

Orders must be placed by 4:30 pm on Monday and can be picked up the same week on Thursdays and Fridays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please ensure your cooler is pre-conditioned between 2-8°C in preparation for picking up the vaccine order.

Please use this updated form (December 1, 2020) and return the form by email to VaccineOrders@tbdhu.com. This fillable form can be saved.

• Attach photos or scans of your temperature log book showing the temperatures since your last order OR the last two weeks if you have ordered recently. Orders cannot be processed without a copy of the temperature log book.
• Emails are preferred as they reduce the risk of misplaced orders and improve the readability of the order and temperature log  book submission. ·        
• Please call (807) 625-5900 with any questions.

Influenza Vaccine Ordering 2020-2021

The Influenza Vaccine Order Form and details regarding the influenza season are now available on the Health Care Provider Flu Information page.

Report all immunizations for children 0-18 years by using the Immunization of Children (Ages 0-18 years) Report Form (IMT-911).

Some vaccines require special report forms:

• High Risk Pneu-C-13 Vaccine (IMT-219) (PDF)
• High Risk Meningococcal Vaccine (IMT-221.1) (PDF)
• Tuberculosis Skin Test (ID-TB-200) (PDF)

A cold chain incident occurs when the temperature of a fridge goes below 2°C or higher than 8°C. If a cold chain incident occurs, please follow these steps:

1. Place all exposed vaccine in a bag marked “DO NOT USE”. If the fridge temperature is reading between 2-8°C, place the bag in the fridge. If the fridge temperature is out of this range, follow the established contingency plan; condition the hard-sided cooler used for transporting and place the bag in the cooler until the fridge has stabilized between 2-8°C.

2. Contact the Health Unit’s Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at 625-5900 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.  District communities should contact their local Health Unit branch office

3. Fax two documents to the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at (807) 625-4828:

• Ministry of Health Vaccine Cold Chain Incident Exposure/Wastage Report, which must include a list of the vaccine inventory.
• A copy of your temperature log book.

4. Follow the directions provided by Health Unit staff after the form has been reviewed and assessed.

Non-reusable vaccine includes unused, exposed, expired and damaged vaccine. All non-reusable vaccine should be returned to the TBDHU once a month when picking up new vaccine orders. Place the non-reusable vaccine in a brown paper bag. Complete the Non-Reusable Vaccine (Spoiled or Expired) Return Form and attach it to the brown paper bag.

For questions, please call 625-5900 or your nearest branch office.

Due to an increase in requests for appointments at Health Unit immunization clinics, the Health Unit will now prioritize clients who are not attached to a health care provider. Those with a health care provider will be asked to contact their provider for an appointment. This change is necessary to ensure that those clients with no other options have access to immunization services.

Ontario's Immunization Schedules (updated January 2021) provides a list of vaccines and the recommended vaccine schedules along with other important information regarding publicly funded vaccines.

Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)

In Ontario, the UIIP offers influenza vaccine free of charge each year to all individuals six months of age and older who live, work or go to school in Ontario.

Thunderbayflu.ca is the TBDHU’s flu-specific website for both the public and health care providers. Updates for the 2020-21 are available now on this webpage.

Shingles Immunization Program

Ontario will transition to offer the Shingrix® vaccine for the prevention of Herpes Zoster (Shingles) in October 2020. This is a 2-dose immunization series for Ontario seniors aged 65-70*, provided they have not received the Zostavax® II vaccine. Those who wish to receive the Shingrix® vaccine series, but have already received Zostavax®, are encouraged to speak with their healthcare provider if they are interested in purchasing privately. More information on Shingrix® and the transition, as well as a patient fact sheet can be found on the Ontario Ministry of Health website. And for patient

This transition is in response to expert recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) noting that Shingrix® offers greater protection from Herpes Zoster (Singles) and it’s most common complication, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

*PLEASE NOTE: As a result of COVID-19, individuals born in 1949 or 1950 (i.e., 70-year olds turning 71 in 2020 or 2021 calendar year) who have missed the opportunity to receive the publicly funded Zostavax® II are eligible to receive Shingrix® and complete the 2-dose series by December 31, 2021.

Rotavirus Immunization Program

Ontario is transitioning from the monovalent rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix® (Rot-1) to the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq® (Rot-5) in the infant rotavirus immunization program. The TBDHU will use our remaining Rotarix® stock until completely depleted. Once depleted, RotaTeq® will be  distributed with all rotavirus vaccine orders, along with an additional dosage reminder.

Visit the Health Care Provider Q&A (PDF) from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Questions can be directed to a TBDHU immunization nurse at 625-5900 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.

HPV Immunization Program

Download the HPV Eligibility Table 2019-2020 (PDF)

For more information about the High-Risk program eligibility, download the HPV Patient Fact Sheet.

On July 1, 2014, changes to Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) came into effect. Without a valid exemption, all primary and secondary students must 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) in order to attend school. A medical exemption form is available for health care providers.

Changes to School-Based Immunizations

As of September 2017, Ontario’s school-based immunization program offers all immunizations in Grade 7 for protection against Hepatitis B, Meningococcal disease and HPV.