Starting this month, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is offering Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal vaccines for students in grade 7 to 12 who have missed starting or completing their vaccine series at schools due to COVID-19 disruptions. These vaccines will be available at City of Toronto immunization clinics and appointments can be made online starting today. A health card is not required.
Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupil Act (ISPA), all students are required to be up-to-date with Meningococcal vaccines or have a valid exemption. Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines prevent cancers and are voluntary for school attendance.
Evidence shows that immunization has saved more lives than any other public health intervention. Vaccines are safe, effective and one of the most important ways to improve health worldwide and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccinating children helps protect them against infectious diseases and some cancers, and can prevent children from passing on an infection to other vulnerable people in the family or community. All school-based vaccines, like COVID-19 vaccines, are very safe and offer prevention of serious illness.
Appointments are required for each student getting immunized and will be available to book starting today, Thursday, March 3. Toronto parents can expect a package from their child’s school that provides more information about the vaccines and a consent form. Students younger than 14 years old must be accompanied by one parent or legal guardian in order to sign the consent form while students 14 years of age and older can sign their own consent form. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time as, or any time before or after, these school-based vaccines.
Clinics for Hepatitis B, HPV and Meningococcal vaccines in grade 7/8 schools were suspended in March 2020, when schools in Ontario were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2021, TPH restarted the publicly-funded school vaccination campaign leveraging existing City-run immunization sites. Between September 14, 2021 and October 30, 2021, more than 15,000 Hepatitis, HPV and Meningococcal vaccines were administered to students.
Routine vaccinations such as MMR, tetanus and pertussis vaccines are available from a student’s primary physician. Physicians can order these vaccines directly from the Ontario Government Pharmacy to provide to their patients who are eligible. Students visiting their health care providers for scheduled or urgent visits should not delay vaccinations at this time.
In addition to these routine vaccinations, Team Toronto continues to offer first, second, third, and paediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Walk-ins are accepted and no OHIP card is needed to get vaccinated at City-run immunization clinics.
Quotes:
“Vaccines save lives and help keep us all healthier. Thank you to Toronto Public Health for using our network of City-run immunization clinics to help students get the vaccines they need. This is another example of the City of Toronto government doing everything we can to help residents.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health intervention, and they continue to be one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. With Toronto Public Health opening up appointments for students to receive their Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal vaccines, parents are encouraged to book an appointment to help protect kids from serious illness, and keep our community safe.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Chair of the Toronto Board of Health
“Vaccines continue to be one of the most important ways to improve health worldwide, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect against some cancers. High immunization rates are important not only among students, but for everyone else in the community, including infants who are too young to receive the vaccine, pregnant women, and to protect people with weak immune systems, including elderly and immunocompromised residents. I encourage all eligible students, parents and caregivers to book their appointments to ensure they are up-to-date with these essential routine vaccinations as soon as possible.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.