Immunization in Schools

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) provides in-school immunization clinics for routine grade 7 and grade 10 immunizations, including: 

• Hepatitis B (HB)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV9)
• Meningococcal (Men-C-ACYW-135) 
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) 

For more information on routine immunizations for schools, please visit the Immunization School Checklist.

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

HPPH wants to help all students catch up on their routine immunizations. An appointment is required for a catch-up immunization.

We are holding catch-up vaccine clinics (see schedule below) at our offices for youth who are:

• not up-to-date on their kindergarten routine immunizations
• not up-to-date on their Grade 7 routine immunizations
• not up-to-date on their Grade 10 routine immunizations
• in need of a second dose of HB and/or HPV9 vaccine

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.

If your child needs to catch up on immunizations required for school attendance, please call 1-888-221-2133, ext 3558 to book an appointment at an HPPH immunization clinic. 

Most healthcare providers do not carry these vaccines. Contact HPPH if you want to make alternate arrangements for your child.

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 below. If your child is extremely anxious, you may call HPPH to discuss an alternative arrangement for vaccine administration.

Many people feel nervous before getting a needle. Talking to your children about vaccinations can help to reduce anxiety they may have about getting needles. 

Use the CARD System

You can use the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) System 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.

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, contact us. We will help you determine if your child needs to be immunized.

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.

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.