Immunization Information for Healthcare Providers

This section is intended for healthcare professionals who obtain vaccines from the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and provide immunizations within their office.

The Canadian Immunization Guide is a comprehensive resource about immunizations, developed for health professionals. Information from the Public Health Agency of Canada as well as vaccine details, schedules, doses, stats, research and general information is accessible on this site.

Vaccine Information

• Vaccines available at the Middlesex-London Health Unit's Immunization Clinic prioritize the 0-18 year age group and are available by appointment only. To qualify for a appointment, families must have no health care and/or no primary health care provider. All families will be asked to seek immunizations from their own health care provider first.
• Some "pay" vaccines are available at the MLHU Immunization Clinic (contact for availability. TB skin tests are not available at MLHU)
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care - provincial fact sheets and information for vaccines.
• Public Health Agency of Canada - federal fact sheets and vaccine information
• Vaccine safety information, research and reports

Vaccine Schedules 

We promote and follow the Ontario Immunization schedule for vaccines:

• Publically Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario - 2021 (16 pages) (PDF)
• Summary: Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario (6 pages) (PDF) 
• Information about mandatory vaccines for school attendance (ISPA)

Vaccine Medical Exemptions

Sometimes there are medical reasons for individuals not being able to be immunized with mandatory vaccines. This can include a serious immunocompromising condition, severe past reaction including anaphylaxis, and allergies to components of a particular vaccine.

Another medical exemption this form is used for is varicella disease. If a child born in 2010 or after was diagnosed with chicken pox disease, a medical exemption form needs to be filled out by the health care provider who diagnosed the disease, to exempt the child from the required varicella vaccines. This form must be filled out by the health care provider and sent to the health unit. Varicella titres showing immunity can also be used instead of the medical exemption form.

Medical Exemption Form for Immunizations (PDF)

Vaccine Ordering and Returns

Middlesex-London health care providers that have passed their annual fridge inspection may order vaccines.

Publicly Funded Routine Vaccine and TB Order Form (PDF)

Publicly Funded High Risk Vaccine Order Form (PDF)

Publicly Funded School Immunization Program Order Form (PDF)

• Please email your order to vaccineorders@mlhu.on.ca, or fax your order to 519-663-9581 (phone orders are not accepted)
• Your current temperature log needs to be faxed as well (must contain logs since last vaccine order)
• Allow 72 hours (3 business days) for the order to be filled
• MLHU does not deliver or send vaccine. Your order will be ready for pick up at the 355 Wellington St., London location only
• You can only pick up vaccine during the hours that are given to you
• Directions for pick-up: Go east on King St, just past Clarence St. Just after the corner of King and Clarence, there is a bus sidewalk island on the right hand side. As soon as that island ends, take an immediate right towards a garage door that will open on a sensor. Drive down the ramp and turn right at the bottom of the ramp. Drive to the end of that area and park. Walk through the large open door there and you will see the door to the health unit's pick up area. Ring the doorbell and a staff member will help you. To drive out, you take the "out" ramp back out to King St.

• To pick up the vaccine you will need:
• a hard insulated cooler with ice packs and a working digital max-min thermometer to ensure the temperature is between +2°C to +8°C
• bubble wrap or a towel to separate the ice from the vaccine 
• Each order should be no more than one month’s supply for your office

When ordering school vaccines (HPV, Hepatitis-B and Meningococcal ACYW-135), provide the patient's name so that the records can be checked in the system. After ordering for specific patients or a box, ALL doses must be reported back to the health unit on the paperwork provided with the vaccine (PDF).

Vaccine Return Form (PDF)

• Vaccine should be returned to the health unit if:

• it  is expired, exposed, or needs to be disposed of properly
• if your office has had a cold chain break or exposure, call the health unit for direction before returning the vaccine
• Please complete and return the vaccine return form
• Place all of the vaccine and the form inside a bag, labeled with the health care provider / office name
• Write “vaccines - do not use” on the bag
• Note that diluent can be disposed of in your own sharps container and does not need to be returned
• The bag can be dropped off to the health unit at 355 Wellington St. (inside Citi Plaza).  It does not need to be in a cooler as it cannot be reused
• You can work to prevent the need for returning vaccine by ordering minimally and taking care of your vaccine properly (vaccine wastage is very expensive)

Taking care of your vaccine

Vaccine storage and handling follows specific guidelines. This is a link to provide you with more information about your vaccine and how to care for it within your office.

• Cold Chain Management and Instructions

Reporting of Adverse Events

Health care providers need to fill out an adverse event (AEFI) form if a client of theirs has any type of allergic reaction or adverse symptom following immunizations.

• AEFI Ontario checklist of info
• AEFI Reporting Form (PDF)
• AEFI detailed instructions
• Anaphylaxis AEFI Reporting Form (PDF)