Vaccines & Immunization

Key immunization information

• Appointments: Public Health offers child and adult immunization clinics in the Guelph, Fergus and Orangeville public health offices. In addition, clinics may be available in schools and in other community settings in the surrounding areas on an as needed basis. Clients can call 1-800-265-7293 to book an appointment.
• Questions: To speak with a nurse about immunization required for childcare/school attendance, vaccine schedules or immunization records, call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
• Reporting: To report vaccines you’ve given to clients, fill out and fax us the Immunization Reporting of Children Age 0-18 years form (PDF, 102 KB, 1 page). Clients can also report vaccinations to Public Health.
• Exemptions: A Statement of Medical Exemption must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and submitted to Public Health.

Immunization resources 

• Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (PDF, 16 pages, 267 KB)
• Ontario Ministry of Health: Fact sheets and Patient Tools
• Government of Ontario: Vaccines and immunization
• Immunization Well-Child Toolkit 
• Canadian Immunization Guide 
• Immunize Canada: CARD system for coping with fears and anxiety related to vaccination

School-based Immunization Program

About

• Public Health provides school-based vaccines for Grade 7 students at public, private, Catholic and French school boards.
• Vaccines provided in schools include Hepatitis B, HPV-9 and Meningococcal-C-ACYW-135.
• These vaccines are publicly funded and available for free to eligible students.
• Although typically offered at in-school clinics and Public Health in-office clinics, these vaccines may also be obtained through primary care provider offices. School-based vaccines can be ordered through Public Health.

Eligibility

Hepatitis B (HB)

• Eligibility starts in grade 7 and extends to the end of grade 12.
• For children between 11 and 15 years of age, a 2-dose series (1.0mL) is licensed for use as per the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario (Table 6) and the Canadian Immunization Guide (Table 3).

Note:  Individuals who have not completed the 2-dose HB series prior to their sixteenth birthday, will be required to complete a 3-dose series using the HB pediatric formulation (0.5mL) at the recommended intervals as outlined in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (Table 7) and the Canadian Immunization Guide (Table 3).

HPV-9

• Eligibility starts in grade 7 and extends to the end of grade 12 for all students, regardless of gender.
• For healthy children between 9 and <15 years of age, a 2-dose series (0.5mL) is recommended as per the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (Table 10) and the Canadian Immunization Guide – HPV chapter.

Note:

• Immunocompromised or immunocompetent HIV-infected individuals (grade 7-12) require a 3-dose series (0.5mL) as outlined in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (Table 11).
• Individuals 15 years of age and older, who received their first dose between 9 to <15 years of age can continue with the 2-dose series as outlined in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (Table 10).
• Individuals who have not started their HPV-9 series prior to age 15 years  require a 3-dose immunization schedule as outlined in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario (Table 11).

Men-C-ACYW135

• Eligibility starts in grade 7 and extends to the end of grade 12 (individual remains eligible until received)

Note: Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). For parents who do not wish to immunize their child, please advise parent/guardian to visit wdgpublichealth.ca/exemption for instructions on completing a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form.

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) - Assessment and suspension

Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act, requires that parents of children attending primary and secondary school update Public Health with their child’s immunization records. By law, children must be immunized against the following diseases for school attendance:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles)
• Meningococcal disease (meningitis)
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Varicella (chickenpox) – for children born on or after Jan. 1, 2010

  • A two-dose series of chickenpox vaccine is publicly funded for all people born on or after January 1, 2000.

  • The two-dose series of chickenpox vaccine is required for all children born on or after January 1, 2010 to attend school.

  • If a child has had chickenpox infection, a Statement of Medical Exemption form must be completed and submitted to Public Health.

Children who do not have a complete immunization record or a valid exemption on file may be suspended from school until the required records/documents are provided.

Each year, Public Health sends letters to students’ parents and guardians when immunization information is missing.

If your client receives a letter from Public Health regarding immunizations, it is because:

• Public health does not have a complete immunization record on file, or
• Your client requires vaccine(s).

Remember:

• Continue to follow the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario.
• Advise client to report vaccinations to Public Health.
• To speak to a nurse about a vaccine schedules or records, call 1-800-265-7293 ext 7006.