Immunizations and Vaccines

Immunization leads to improved health in individuals and the general population. Vaccines help save lives and prevent serious illnesses.

Vaccines used in Canada are very safe. They are developed in accordance with the highest standards and are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness.

Minor side-effects from vaccines are common but go away quickly. These can include mild fever and some redness, swelling or tenderness at the spot where the vaccine was administered.

Do not report COVID-19 immunizations, Public Health will not be adding these immunizations to our Non-COVID vaccine registry. If you have questions about reporting a COVID-19 immunization, please email us.

Report Immunizations Here

Here you will find information about the following vaccines and immunization services:

Grade 7 to 12 Immunization Clinics

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students in grades 7 to 12 may have missed their grade 7 school program vaccines normally offered by Public Health; or their routine vaccines with their health care provider.

Starting in April 2022, appointments will be available for students in grades 7 to 12 who have missed getting their vaccines. The following vaccines will be available to eligible students at these clinics:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Meningococcal ACYW-135*
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis*
  • Polio*
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella*
  • Varicella* (required for children born in 2010 or later)

* The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires parents to provide proof of immunization (or appropriate exemption documents) for these diseases if their children attend school in Ontario. Public Health has postponed enforcement of the ISPA and will not be suspending students with out-of-date immunization records this school year. It is expected that enforcement will resume next school year. 

 Eligibility

All students in grades 7 to 12 are eligible to receive meningococcal ACYW-135, HPV, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella if they are not up-to-date.
Vaccination clinics 
Clinics for students in grade 7 to 12 are by appointment only and will be offered at two locations:

Students do not need a health card to attend a Public Health immunization clinic.

At this time, students in kindergarten to Grade 6 should contact their primary care provider for direction on accessing overdue vaccines. 

What do parents need to do before booking an appointment?
  1. Please check if your child’s immunizations are up-to-date. If you are unsure, talk to your healthcare provider (e.g. doctor, nurse practitioner) or Public Health.
  2. Report all vaccinations received from your health care provider to Public Health. There are several ways to report your child’s immunization record:

Book an appointment

Book an appointment 

or Call 519-575-4400. Ext 5001

If there are no appointments available, please check back again soon as new clinic appointments will be added regularly.

School program and routine vaccines are also available through local health care providers.

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

Public Health will not be enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act for this school year. Letters have been sent out to parents with students in grade 7 to 12 to notify them of any immunizations their child may be missing. Reminder letters for children in kindergarten to grade 6 will be sent home at a later date.

Immunization protects children from many serious diseases that are easily spread in schools.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act all primary and secondary students need to have proof of immunization against:

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Meningococcal Disease
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
    • Required for children born in 2010 or later

View the complete immunization schedule.

Vaccine Exemptions for School Aged Children

Public Health is currently not processing non-medical vaccine exemptions (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief). Please check back in September for direction on the updated process.

You may decide for medical, religious or philosophical reasons not to immunize your child. You will need to provide a valid written exemption to Public Health.

If a vaccine preventable disease appears in your child's school, your child may have to stay out of school/child care until the disease is no longer present.

For medical exemptions, a legal Statement of Medical Exemption (ISPA) must be forwarded to Public Health.

Vaccine Fact Sheets

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