School Immunization Program

How to get Vaccinated

Read about the benefits of receiving these vaccines, and review the hepatitis b, human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal vaccine fact sheets for more information. Speak to a health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

There are many ways your child can get vaccinated:

• All grade 7 and 8 students who are behind on these important vaccines can get vaccinated during school hours through SIP.
• These vaccines are also available for eligible individuals, free of cost, at City-run vaccination clinics. Booking an appointment at City-run vaccination clinics is strongly recommended. Based on capacity, walk ins are available.
• Contact your health care providers, who can order vaccines from Toronto Public Health to vaccinate eligible patients in-office. Report vaccinations received from health care providers.

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 (brain infection) and septicemia (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 to 85 per cent effective at protecting against four types of bacteria that cause meningitis.

See the Meningococcal Vaccine Factsheet to learn more.

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 when working in some industries, like health care.

Hepatitis b vaccines are over 95 per cent effective at protecting against hepatitis b virus infections.

Students 11-15 years of age need two doses, given six months apart. Students aged 16 and older will need a third dose. Students with a weak immune system may need additional doses.

See the Hepatitis B Vaccine Factsheet to learn more.

Prevent Other Cancers

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

The HPV vaccine (Gardasil®-9) is over 95 per cent effective at protecting against nine types of HPV infections. Students ages nine to 14 years old need two 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.

See the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Factsheet to learn more.

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 (One dose)	All grade 7 to 12 students* Anyone born in 1997 or later
Hepatitis B Vaccine (Two or three doses)	All grade 7 to 12 students*
HPV or Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (Two or three doses)	All grade 7 to 12 students* 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.

School Immunization Program

Grade 7 & 8 Students

This school year, Toronto Public Health is hosting SIP clinics for grade 7 students, and offering catch-up opportunities to students in grade 8 who are behind on meningococcal, hepatitis b and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in schools across Toronto. These clinics will be held during school hours and no appointment is needed. Information and consent packages are sent to families through their schools. Parental consent is required.

Resources:

• School Immunization Program Vaccine Pamphlet (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 – Checklist (also available in French)
• Making Vaccines Easier for Teens
• Getting Ready for Your Grade 7/8 School Vaccinations

Secondary School Students (Grades 9-12)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SIP was paused and many children and youth did not receive these lifesaving vaccines.

Grade 9-12 students who are behind on these vaccines can get them at City-run immunization clinics through appointment.

Resources:

• School Immunization Program Vaccine Pamphlet (also available in French)
• School Immunization Vaccine Consent Form (also available in French)
• Making Vaccines Easier for Teens

City-Run Vaccination Clinics

All grade 7 to 12 students and other eligible individuals can get any missed doses of these school-based vaccines at City-run vaccination clinics.

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at City-run vaccination clinics. If you are also getting 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 Vaccination

1. Read the vaccine fact sheets: hepatitis b, human papillomavirus, and meningococcal disease. 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 vaccinated (see below for instructions):
   • Can be signed by students 14 years of age and older
   • Must be signed by parent/legal guardian for students under 14 years of age
   • If getting vaccinated at a school-based clinic, have your child return the signed consent form to their teacher as soon as possible and before the clinic date
3. On the day of the school-based clinic, students will need to:
   • Wear a loose sleeved shirt and eat something before the clinic.
   • Wear a mask at the clinic. Masks are required at all TPH vaccine clinics.
4. If getting vaccinated at a City-run vaccination clinic, students will also need to:
   • Bring their health card or some form of identification.
   • Bring a recent letter from Toronto Public Health (if applicable).
   • Bring a copy of their immunization record (if available).

*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.

Consent forms submitted to Toronto Public Health through your child(ren)’s school for SIP vaccines are valid for two years.

Please refer to the SIP Checklist for more information.

Report Vaccinations to Toronto Public Health

If students 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 human papillomavirus HPV vaccines is not required, but helps students 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 free vaccines available for children. Some of these vaccines are required for children who attend school and childcare, or to have a valid exemption.