Questions
If you have questions, please call 519-663-5317.
All Grade 7 students have the opportunity to receive three types of vaccines at no cost. The vaccines are conveniently provided at school by the Health Unit to students with parent/legal guardian consent. Other options are available for students who are unable or prefer not to receive vaccines at school.
If you have questions, please call 519-663-5317.
The Health Unit strongly recommends that you read about these vaccines, the diseases they prevent and clinic details, to consider protection for your student with all three types of vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine is highly recommended but is not mandatory. Two doses of hepatitis B vaccine will be given. The first dose will be given at school in the fall and the second dose will be given 4-6 months later.
Meningococcal ACYW-135 Vaccine
The Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is a mandatory immunization in Ontario. This vaccine only requires one dose that will be offered to students at the first school immunization visit.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Since 2007, female students in Grade 8 have been offered free vaccination against human papillomavirus with the HPV vaccine. In 2017, male students became eligible as well (ie. those born in 2005 or after). This vaccine is highly recommended but is not mandatory.
Two doses of HPV9 vaccine will be given. The first dose will be given at school in the fall and the second dose will be given 6 months later.
Public Health Nurses from the Health Unit's Vaccine Preventable Disease Team visit elementary schools in London and Middlesex-County to provide Grade 7 students the opportunity to receive Hepatitis B, Meningococcal-ACYW-135 and HPV vaccines at school. Vaccines are only administered to students whose legal guardians have provided consent. The Health Unit asks that guardians read the Health Unit's Grade 7 School Information Letter, available in English, French, Arabic and Spanish:
The Health Unit also also asks that guardians read the Hepatitis B, Meningococcal ACYW-135, HPV/Gardasil Vaccines Information Sheet (PDF), and sign the consent form (PDF) indicating which vaccine(s) you are consenting for and return it to school before the first clinic date. The consent must be printed to be filled out. It is double sided and legal size.
When a student has been vaccinated at school, a note from the nurse will be sent home so their guardian can keep a record of the immunization..
Current Grade 8 students who missed an opportunity to receive their vaccines in school the previous school year will still be able to receive doses if there is a consent on file. Grade 8 students will be immunized in the fall and/or spring depending on the recommended spacing between vaccine and doses that are still required. If your student received doses at their primary care provider's office (i.e. family doctor, pediatrician, walk-in clinic, nurse practitioner), please report these to the Health Unit to avoid additional and unnecessary doses being administered.
Grade 7 remote/online learners have two options to receive grade 7 vaccines.
1. Book an appointment at a Health Unit immunization clinic.
2. Grade 7 students may also receive these vaccines with their healthcare provider (i.e. family doctor, pediatrician, nurse practitioner). Please note the following:
Your child may be feeling anxious about getting needles at school. The Public Health Nurses work to minimize anxiety and use specific techniques to decrease pain, in order to help the student through the vaccination process.
Here are some ways for you to help your child prepare for the clinic day:
Anxiousness about medical procedures, with resulting fainting, happens occasionally in this age group, particularly in females. Fainting after vaccines is a symptom of anxiety, not a side effect from a vaccine. After leaving the clinic it is important for students to stay together with other students in the halls, and be careful on stairs. Students should not leave the school for at least 15 minutes. It is important that they return to the clinic area with someone if they are feeling unwell. If students appear pale, sweaty, or worried, they will be asked to stay with the nurses at the clinic and lie on a mat. The nurses are there to give medical attention to students as necessary. It is very important that students tell the nurses when they feel unwell after vaccines.
What if I cannot receive the vaccinations on the day of the school clinic?
Can a student go to their doctor or nurse practitioner to receive the vaccines?
What if my student has had one of these vaccines before?
Can a Grade 7 student consent for the vaccine on their own?
Are these vaccines mandatory?
Where is the needle given?
Should I get the Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine if I was vaccinated with meningococcal vaccine as a baby?