Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal immunizations are provided at no cost to Grade 7 students twice a year through the school-based immunization program. If your child is in Grade 7 this school year, they are eligible to receive these vaccines at school. Watch this video for more information about School-based immunizations in Ontario: What parents need to know.
| Vaccine | Doses | Eligibility | Eligible until |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meningococcal vaccine (PDF Fact Sheet) (Menactra® or Nimenrix®, covers serogroups A, C, Y, W-135) |
1 dose | All Grade 7 students | Vaccine is received |
|
Human Papillomavirus vaccine (PDF Fact Sheet) (Gardasil®9) |
2 doses or 3 doses (depending on age) | All Grade 7 students | End of Grade 12 |
|
Hepatitis B vaccine (PDF Fact Sheet) (Recombivax®HB or Engerix-B®) |
2 doses or 3 doses (depending on age) | All Grade 7 students | End of Grade 12 |
Consent Form
Parents will receive information in September. Please take time to review the vaccine fact sheets below (available in multiple languages) and complete the Grade 7 Immunization Consent Form. Your child will only receive the vaccines you select on the consent form, so please fill it out even if you choose not to have them vaccinated at school. If you have any questions or need help completing the consent, please call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
Clinic Dates
Fall clinic dates are complete. Check back later for Spring 2025 clinic dates.
Vaccine Fact Sheets
Below you will find a letter to parents about the Grade 7 school immunization program and fact sheets (PDFs) about each vaccine, available in the following languages:
Vaccine Videos
Check out these videos about each of the Grade 7 vaccines. You can watch them with your child.
More information
Please review the following FAQs if you have questions about Grade 7 vaccinations. If your question is not answered here, you can call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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- What can I do to help my child who is anxious or fearful of needles?
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Visit Improving the vaccination experience for your child for helpful resources.
- Is it safe to receive more than one vaccine at a time?
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Yes. Your child’s immune system can easily handle many vaccines at once. Receiving multiple vaccines is safe, convenient, and ensures the best protection for your child at the earliest age possible.
- What are the side effects?
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Common side effects are redness, tenderness and swelling at the injection site on the arm. Some children experience a headache, fever, and fatigue.
- How can I check or update my child’s vaccination record?
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Please visit immunizewdg.ca to view the record online. You can also contact our vaccine records department at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or email vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca. More information can be found at our School and Child Care Immunizations page.
- My child already started these vaccinations. Can they complete them at school?
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Yes. Please complete the online consent form and indicate on the form the dates of the previous doses. A public health nurse will ensure the timing is correct prior to administering their next dose.
- My child is in high school now and missed these vaccinations. Are they still eligible?
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Yes, if your child missed these vaccines in Grade 7 they are eligible to catch up until the end of Grade 12. You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at Public Health by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
- Do I need to submit the consent form if my child already received these vaccines or has an appointment to receive them elsewhere?
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Yes. Please submit the online consent form and indicate ‘NO’ in the vaccine consent boxes. Add a note as to why you are not receiving these vaccines at school. It is very helpful for the nurses on clinic day to have completed consent forms for all students.
- How can my child catch up if they miss the in-school clinic?
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You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at public health by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006. You can also wait until the spring school clinics to start their vaccine series.
- What should I do if my child has received the Hep B vaccine?
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If they completed a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine or Twinrix, they do not need to repeat Hepatitis B at school. Fill out an online consent form with the dates of the vaccines and indicate ‘NO’ in the consent box for Hep B vaccine. If they have not received the full series, a nurse will reach out and advise if the vaccine is needed.
- My child got the Men-C vaccine, do they need the MenC-ACYW-135 vaccine?
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Yes, they do need a dose of MenC-ACYW-135. Men-C only covers one strain of meningitis that is most commonly seen in younger children (the C strain). Men-C-ACYW-135 covers for the C strain again but it also covers an additional three other strains A, Y and W-135, which your child has not been protected against yet.
- My child got the MenC-ACYW-135 vaccine in the past, do they need it again?
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As per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) only one valid dose of MenC-ACYW-135 after age one is required for school attendance. However, your child is still eligible for a publicly funded dose of MenC-ACYW-135 in grade 7. Antibodies can wane so receiving another dose is optional. For more information on a second dose please call our Call Centre at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
- How can I exempt my child from vaccinations?
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Vaccines required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) will need a valid religious or conscientious exemption form completed. Visit Immunization Exemptions for Children in School and Child Care for more information.
Please submit the online consent form and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of exemption.
- What if my child cannot receive the vaccines for medical reasons?
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Visit Immunization Exemptions for Children in School and Child Care for instructions on medical exemptions and to download a form to be completed by your primary care provider. Please submit an online consent form and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of medical exemption.
- Can I make an appointment at public health for these vaccines?
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Yes. You can make an appointment at public health by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
- Can parents be with their child during vaccination?
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It is difficult to know when your child’s class will be called down to the school clinic. Timing of vaccination varies considerably at each school. If you would prefer to attend the appointment with your child, you can book an appointment with your primary care provider or at a Public Health by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext 7006.