School Immunizations

Due to COVID-19, school based clinics are not scheduled at this time. Grade 7 students are eligible for a series of immunizations. Grade 8 students may be missing some immunizations from Grade 7 due to the school closures in the spring.

Students can access the immunizations they need by making an appointment for a clinic at the TBDHU office at 999 Balmoral Street. Appointments are available most days of the week including evening and Saturday options - a printable schedule is available. See below for a list of clinic precautions during COVID-19.

Call (807) 625-5900 to book an appointment or speak with a nurse to learn what vaccines may be missing.

Grade 7 Students

• These students are eligible to for the hepatitis B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines. The meningococcal vaccine is required by law for school attendance.

Grade 8 Students

• These students may require a second dose of both the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines. Some may also need the meningococcal vaccine required for school attendance. 

NOTE: If a student has received a vaccine from another health care provider, please report the immunization to TBDHU so the student’s record is up-to-date.

Our District public health team is working collaboratively with their respective community health care providers, schools and child care centres to ensure catch up on overdue immunizations for school aged children.  Following that, planning will take place for students due for immunizations in the 2020/21 school year.

The team is also promoting the importance of obtaining the flu shot during this pandemic and identifying capacity, gaps and support requirements to ensure access is available as needed.

Specific information will be shared with stakeholders and will be posted to our website as dates are scheduled.

Please take note of the following COVID-19 precautions at TBDHU’s immunization clinics:

• All clinics are by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment. 
• Please call to cancel the appointment if anyone attending the clinic is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or if anyone has been in contact with a positive case of COVID-19. 
• Each individual attending the clinic will be actively screened upon arrival.
• Only one parent/guardian will be allowed to accompany the student to their appointment. Please avoid bringing siblings unless they have an appointment.
• Upon entrance and exit, apply the hand sanitizer provided.  
• Masks must be worn. Exceptions will be made for those with a valid medical condition in which a mask or face covering cannot be worn. 
• Individuals will be required to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres from staff, except during immunization.
• The clinic will promote a one way flow of traffic whenever possible. 
• Names and phone numbers of individuals will be collected, should contact tracing be required.
• Staff will be required to complete a self-assessment tool daily. 
• All staff will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during immunization clinics in accordance with best practice recommendations related to PPE use in clinical settings. 
• Immunization appointments will be booked to allow time for proper disinfection between client appointments.

If a child’s immunization record is not up-to-date according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), parents/guardians will be contacted through a letter sent home by the TBDHU. The letter will provide details and instructions so a suspension can be avoided.

If you receive a letter, please review immediately and contact a TBDHU nurse; call 625-5900 in Thunder Bay or contact your nearest branch office. To avoid suspension, always keep your child's immunizations up-to-date according to Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule, and report all immunizations to the TBDHU.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, your child can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief.

For Medical Reasons

You must fill out a Statement of Medical Exemption form that has been signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and submit it to the closest office of the TBDHU. It will indicate the reason for the exemption:

• your child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine
• there is evidence of your child’s immunity to the disease, making further immunization unnecessary

For Conscience or Religious Belief

1. Contact the TBDHU at 625-5900 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630 to complete a mandatory education session that covers:

• Basic information about immunization
• Vaccine safety
• Immunization and community health
• Immunization law in Ontario

At the end of the session, you’ll receive a Vaccine Education Certificate signed and dated by the TBDHU.

2. Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and get it is signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.
3. Make copies of your certificate and your signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and submit the originals to you’re the nearest office of the Health Unit. It is important that you keep your copy for safe keeping.

Children with exemptions may be excluded from attending school (often for several weeks) in the event of an outbreak caused by one of the vaccine-preventable diseases noted in the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

Students who miss a dose of any vaccine (for example, is not at school on immunization day) can still receive it by visiting the Immunization Clinic or their health care provider (family doctor, etc.).