Immunization in Schools

R U Ready? Catch up on your routine immunizations! It is important to get vaccinated when you are eligible, and to stay up-to-date with routine immunizations. Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to protect yourself and those around you from vaccine preventable diseases.

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) has returned to providing in-school vaccine clinics for routine grade 7 and grade 10 immunizations, including: 

You can use the provincial Immunization School Checklist [PDF] to keep track of your child's vaccines.

NOTE: HPPH will not provide COVID-19 vaccines at school immunization clinics.

Catch-up immunization clinics

HPPH wants to help all students catch up on their routine immunizations. We are holding catch-up vaccine clinics at our offices for youth who are not up-to-date on their grade 7 and grade 10 routine immunizations, or who received a first dose of HB and/or HPV9 and now need a second dose. Please see below for the schedule of clinics.

An appointment is required. To make an immunization appointment for your child, please call Huron Perth Public Health at
1-888-221-2133 ext 3558.

Second doses of HB and HPV9 are recommended to be given at a minimum interval of six months after the first dose; however, having a longer than recommended interval between vaccine doses will still provide the same immunity.

If you have questions about school immunizations, please email our Immunizations team.

Schedule of catch-up immunization clinics
Date Weekday Community Clinic location Clinic hours
October 19, 2023 Thursday Stratford HPPH Stratford West Gore Office | 653 West Gore Street 1-4PM
October 24, 2023 Tuesday Listowel HPPH Listowel Office | 161 Inkerman Street West 12-4PM
October 26, 2023 Thursday Clinton HPPH Clinton Office | 77722B London Road 1-5PM
November 9, 2023 Thursday Wingham HPPH Wingham Office | 131 John Street East 12-4PM
November 16, 2023 Thursday Stratford HPPH Stratford West Gore Office | 653 West Gore Street 1-4PM
November 28, 2023 Tuesday Listowel HPPH Listowel Office | 161 Inkerman Street West 12-4PM
November 30, 2023 Thursday Clinton HPPH Clinton Office | 77722B London Road 1-5PM
December 14, 2023 Thursday Wingham HPPH Wingham Office | 131 John Street East 12-4PM

COVID-19 vaccine

NOTE: We will NOT be bringing COVID-19 vaccines to our in-school clinics.

COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines.

Consent

Consent is required before any vaccine is administered. HPPH will provide consent forms for parents/guardians/students to sign. Secondary school students are able to consent for themselves, but parents/legal guardians are encouraged to discuss immunizations with their child and take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated at in-school clinics. For information about consent, review the Health Care Consent Act.

Helping your child prepare for immunizations

If you're nervous about your COVID-19 vaccination, try playing your CARDS - comfort, ask, relax, distractMany people feel nervous before getting a needle. Talking to your children about vaccinations can help to reduce anxiety they may have about getting needles. 

The CARD System

You can use the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) System [PDF] to come up with ideas and a plan to help relax before and during a vaccination. 

Comfort | find ways to be comfortable

  • Validate your child's worries. Talk with them about ways to relax and feel comfortable.
  • Explain what is happening when you are at the clinic. 

Ask | ask questions to be prepared

  • Answer any questions your child might have; the vaccinator can help with this.

Relax | keep yourself calm

  • Model relaxation for your child by talking in a calm tone.
  • Take some deep breaths with your child.
  • Talk about ways to relax before your appointment.

Distract | shift your attention

  • Distraction can help with reducing pain and anxiety when receiving a needle.
  • The most effective distraction requires thinking and doing (some distraction tools are available at our clinics and may be used by our vaccinators).
  • Calm slow steady talking from one person can be helpful.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my child to our usual healthcare provider to get these vaccines?
Most healthcare providers do not carry these vaccines. Contact HPPH if you want to make alternate arrangements for your child.
What if my child is afraid of needles?
The nurses who give vaccines at the clinics will work with your child to make their experience as positive as possible. Most students do well with the immunizations even if they were worried before. Having a conversation with your child will help them feel more prepared. Use the CARD system described above. If your child is extremely anxious, you may call HPPH to discuss an alternative arrangement for vaccine administration.
What if my child has already received some of these vaccines?
If you know that your child has already received these vaccines, you will need to inform HPPH and provide the date(s) your child received the vaccine(s). If you are not sure if your child has received any of these vaccines, call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133. We will help you determine if your child needs to be immunized.
Do I get a record of these immunizations?
Yes. After every vaccination your child will receive a record of what vaccine they received that day. Keep the record with your child's other health records.
Are these vaccines safe?
Vaccines undergo a complete review of their safety, quality and effectiveness before they are approved and can be used in Canada. After approval, vaccines are continually monitored through a "vaccine safety surveillance" program to ensure their safety.