School Immunization Program

Benefits of Vaccination

Vaccines are safe, effective and one of the most important ways to improve health worldwide and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccinating children and youth helps protect them against infectious diseases and some cancers, and can prevent children and youth from passing on an infection to other vulnerable people in their family or school community.

Vaccines offered to teens and young adults are safe and protect them from:

• meningitis and blood infection from meningococcal bacteria
• liver cancer from hepatitis B virus
• cancers caused by the HPV virus

Prevent Meningitis

Meningococcal disease is very rare, but it can become life threatening quickly. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in teens and young adults. The bacteria infects the lining of the brain leading to strokes, hearing loss, seizures or blood infection. This vaccine is required to attend school in Ontario, and may be needed for travel and/or postsecondary education.

Meningococcal vaccines are 80-85% effective at protecting against four types of bacteria that cause meningitis.

Prevent Liver Cancer

The hepatitis B virus is spread by infected body fluids. This can include improper cleaning of spa, tattoo, medical and dental instruments. Many people with infection may not have symptoms and can continue to spread the infection to others. Some infections can cause permanent liver damage, cirrhosis and cancer. This vaccine is recommended before travel and for some career choices, like health care.

Hepatitis B vaccines are over 95% effective at protecting against hepatitis B virus infections. Students, ages 11 to 15 need 2 doses, given 6 months apart. Students with a weak immune system or ages 16 and older will need a third dose.

Prevent Other Cancers

There are different types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people do not know they are infected and never develop symptoms. Human papillomavirus infections cause many cancers of the mouth, head and neck, cervix and genitals.

The HPV vaccine (Gardasil®-9) is over 95% effective at protecting against 9 types of HPV infections. Students ages 9 to 14 years old need 2 doses, given six months apart. Students with a weak immune system or those who are 15 years and older at the time of their first dose will need a third dose.

Eligibility

Available for free at school immunization program clinics, City-run clinics or some health care provider offices.

Vaccine	Who is Currently Eligible?
Meningococcal vaccine (1 dose)	All grade 7 to 12 students* Anyone born in 1997 or later
Hepatitis B Vaccine (2 or 3 doses)	All grade 7 to 12 students*
HPV or Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (2 or 3 doses)	All grade 7 to 12 students* Anyone born in 2004** Females born in 2002 and 2003** Males up to 26 years, who identify as having sex with men

* Current students in grades 7 to 12 are eligible for all three vaccines regardless of their age.

**If you are born in 2002, 2003, and 2004 and missed HPV vaccine doses due to the pandemic, you have extra time to get vaccinated until August 31, 2023.

School Immunization Program

Grade 7 & 8

Toronto Public Health is hosting School Immunization Program clinics for Grade 7 and 8 students in schools across Toronto during the school year. These clinics will be held during school hours and no appointment is needed. Information and consent packages will be sent to families. Parental consent will be required.

Resources:

• School Immunization Program Vaccine Fact Sheet (also available in French)
• School Immunization Vaccine Consent Form (also available in French)
• School Immunization Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (also available in French)
• School Immunization Program – Student & Parent Checklist for Grade 7 & 8 Students (also available in French)
• Making Vaccines Easier for Teens
• Getting Ready for Your Grade 7/8 School Vaccinations

Catch-up Clinics for Secondary School Students

Toronto Public Health provides immunization clinics in schools to vaccinate eligible students with Meningococcal, Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis B vaccines. These vaccines are usually offered to students in Grade 7 and Grade 8. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the TPH School Immunization Program was paused and many children and youth did not receive these lifesaving vaccines, especially students currently enrolled in Grades 9 and 10.

Toronto Public Health is providing catch-up opportunities for secondary school students who are missing one or more dose(s) of these vaccines. These clinics will be offered on-site during school hours. School principals will provide information to students and their parents/guardians in advance of their school’s clinic date.

Resources:

• School Immunization Program Vaccine Fact Sheet (also available in French)
• School Immunization Vaccine Consent Form (also available in French)
• Toronto Public Health School Immunization Program in Secondary Schools FAQ (also available in French)
• School Immunization Program – Parent & Student Checklist for Secondary Schools (also available in French)
• Making Vaccines Easier for Teens

City-Run Vaccination Clinics

All Grade 7 to 12 students and other eligible individuals who missed getting these school-based vaccines can attend City-run vaccination clinics to receive any missed doses. COVID-19 vaccines are also available at City-run vaccination clinics.

If you are also receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at the appointment, review the COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire before attending:

• Adult COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Screening Questionnaire
• Child COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Screening Questionnaire

Book an appointment at TPHbookings.ca

Learn more about clinic locations, hours of operations, parking and accessibility options

How to Prepare for your Appointment

1. Read the Vaccine Fact Sheets: Hepatitis B, HPV, and Meningococcal-quadrivalent. If you have questions about the vaccines, speak to a health care provider.
2. Fully complete and sign the vaccine consent form* for each student being immunized (see below for instructions):
   • Can be signed by students 14 years of age and older
   • Must be signed by parent/legal guardian for students less than 14 years
3. On the day of the clinic, students should bring their:
   • Immunization records
     • If immunization records are in a language besides English, please bring a translated version, or someone who is able to translate them. If neither of these options are available, please email a copy to immunizations@toronto.ca to be translated on your behalf.
   • Health card
   • Recent letter from Toronto Public Health (if applicable)
   • Wear a loose sleeved shirt and eat something before the clinic. Masks must be worn at the clinic.

Please refer to the School Immunization Program – Student & Parent Checklist for Grade 7 & 8 Students or the School Immunization Program – Parent & Student Checklist for Secondary Schools.

*Completing the Vaccine Consent form:

Step 1: Student Information

All fields should be filled out including:

• Student’s full name (first and last) and personal information.
• Parent/ guardian cell phone number, the full name of student’s teacher and school they attend.

Step 2: Student Vaccination History

• Choose the names of the vaccines your child has already received and provide date(s) that each vaccine was given.

Step 3: Health History

• Check off “Yes” or “No” for each item about your child’s health. Explain any “Yes” responses.

Step 4: Consent for vaccination

• Check off “Yes” for each vaccines you give permission for your child to receive or “No” for the vaccines you do not give permission for your child to receive.
• Sign and date the form.

Please note that consent forms submitted to Toronto Public Health are valid for 2 years. If you have already signed a consent form within the past two years another consent form is not required.

Please refer to Student Immunization Program Checklist for more information.

Report Vaccinations to Toronto Public Health

If you received hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and meningococcal vaccines from a health care provider other than Toronto Public Health, please report these vaccination(s) to Toronto Public Health online:

• Create an account on the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool. You will need the Ontario Health Card of the person whose vaccination record you’re updating in order to access the record on ICON.
• The records you submit will become available to view in ICON, once processed by Toronto Public Health.

Why report vaccination records to TPH?

Vaccination records for meningococcal vaccines must be reported under the Immunization of School Pupils Act in order for students to continue attending school in Ontario.

Reporting vaccinations with hepatitis B and HPV vaccines is not required, but helps your child or student in a number of ways, such as:

• Ensuring their medical records are complete
• Keeping an updated list of their vaccinations if they need it (e.g. to volunteer or work at a health care facility or to travel)

Childhood Vaccines – Quick Reference Guide

Learn more about the required vaccines (or to have a valid exemption) for children who attend childcare and school.