TBDHU is resuming enforcement of suspensions under Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) this year for students in grades 2-5 and high school (grades 9-12) for Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, as well as district communities.
- High School: Read Dr. DeMille's letter to parents/guardians of high school students in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas or in District communities.
- Grades 2-5: Read Dr. DeMille's letter to parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-5 in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas or in District communities.
Please note: For Terrace Bay families the ISPA timeline has been altered due to weather conditions. Refer to the timelines outlined in the tables further down this page for updated dates.
Parents/guardians of students who received ISPA-related letters should call 807-625-5900 in Thunder Bay or their closest branch office to discuss vaccine reporting and clinic options, and to book an appointment if needed. The Thunder Bay Office is currently experiencing higher than normal call volumes. If you cannot reach a nurse, please leave a message and someone will be in touch within 1-2 business days.
Scroll down for more information about TBDHU’s school vaccine programs.
Visit TBDHU.com/vaxclinics for a complete list of all the routine vaccine clinics TBDHU is offering for students who received an order for suspension.
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. Please see Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule for more information, or the Recommended Vaccines Section on this Page.
Students Entering School in September 2024
If you have any children who are starting kindergarten, who were previously homeschooled, who previously attended a private school, or who will be attending school in Ontario for the first time, TBDHU needs a copy of their immunization record. 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.
Recommended Vaccines
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
Immunizations for Home Learners
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.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination 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.
For Further Information
Call a vaccine nurse at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 294-6630.