Immunizations for School-Aged Children

TBDHU does not provide vaccines to children of this age at school. However, it’s important for parents/guardians to know that between 4 and 6 years old, children should receive the following vaccines:

• tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio
• measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox

These vaccines are required for school attendance in Ontario, or a valid exemption must be on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section below. Children who are eligible now or missed these vaccines between the ages of 4-6 should receive them as soon as possible. See the tab below to learn how you can take advantage of additional opportunities TBDHU is offering to get your child up to date.

TBDHU hosts school-based vaccine clinics for children in Grade 7 to provide the following vaccines:

• Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine (1 dose needed); eligible until the vaccine is received.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV-9) vaccine (2 doses); eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at age 15 and older require 3 doses to complete.
• Hepatitis B vaccine (2 doses needed); students are eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at 16 and older require 3 doses to complete.

Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) is required for school attendance in Ontario or a valid exemption must on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section below.

Parents/guardians provide consent for the vaccines. Grade 7 students receive a consent at their school in the fall to take home. Parents can call the immunization department at the health unit to provide consent over the phone or submit their consent to the school office at any time prior to the school clinic date. For a list of school visit dates, please see the tabs below that applies to the location of your child’s school.

If you can’t find your child’s immunization package, it can be downloaded from the following links. All materials are available in English and French.

Consents provided in Grade 7 remain valid in Grade 8 if your child missed being immunized in their Grade 7 year. 

• Immunization Consent Form
• Parent Information Letter
• Ontario's Grade 7 School Immunization Program Checklist for Parents

Students in Grade 8 who submitted a consent form while in Grade 7 but did not receive the immunizations can receive the immunizations in Grade 8 at the TBDHU immunization school clinic during the 2023/2024 school year.

Students in Grade 8 who did not submit a consent form while in Grade 7 are also able to receive these immunizations. We encourage parents who did not consent in Grade 7 and who wish for their child to receive these vaccines in Grade 8 to call us at (807) 625-5900 and press 4 to speak to an immunization nurse. Please see the school clinic calendar tabs below for the details on the dates and times of these school visits across the TBDHU service area.

Ensuring that your child gets their missing doses at a school clinic is an easy way to get them caught up on their vaccines. However, it is recommended that they receive the missed doses as soon as possible by choosing one of the options below.

The TBDHU will be visiting all schools with Grade 7 students starting the Fall of 2023. See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule – first and second dose clinic dates are available. Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic. Please note these dates are subject to change.

Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.

The TBDHU will be visiting all district community schools with Grade 7 students starting in the Fall of 2023. See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule. Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic. Please note these dates are subject to change.

• Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.

High school students are eligible for the following vaccine 10 years after their 4-6 booster:

• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap): a 10 year booster that is a three-in-one vaccine that protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

The Tdap vaccine is required for school attendance in Ontario or a valid exemption must be on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section below.

TBDHU visits high schools once per school year to offer the Tdap vaccine to eligible students. Parents/guardians can provide consent for the vaccines, though high school students can also provide their own consent for immunization if TBDHU nurses determine that they have the capacity to do so. Please see the section below on “Consent for immunization” for more information.

TBDHU will mail consents to the homes of students the year that they become eligible. For a list of school visit dates, please see the tab below that applies to the location of your child’s school.

Dates for the 2023/2024 school year will be added once they have been confirmed. Consents will be mailed directly to the student’s home addresses and should be returned to the school.

• Access additional and temporary TBDHU clinic options if you’re living in Thunder Bay:
  • Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 and press 4 to 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.
• Contact your health care provider to make an appointment.
• No provider and living in a District community? Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options. 

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. Complete a mandatory education session via video (Vaccine Education Video - YouTube) that covers:

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

2. Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and have it signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.
3. Following the completion of the education session video and Statement of Conscience or Religious form, make your way to the TBDHU office Monday-Friday between 9 am-4 pm and ask to see a VPD nurse.  You will receive a Vaccine Education Certificate signed and dated by a VPD nurse, as well as review and sign an attestation form with a VPD nurse.

   PLEASE NOTE: As of October 1, 2023, appointments must be booked to ensure a nurse is available to meet with you to complete this process. Appointments can be booked by calling 807-625-5900 and press 4. For residents in the district communities, please contact your local branch office for further direction. 

4. Make copies of your signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and submit the original to your nearest TBDHU office. It is important to keep a copy for your records.

• If TBDHU has a child’s immunization record on file that is not up-to-date according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), parents/guardians will be notified 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 807-625-5900 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.