Community Immunization Clinics
Let’s roll up our sleeves, protect ourselves and our communities!
This summer, York Region Community Vaccination Clinics are offering:
All routine vaccinations for children aged four to 18 years, as outlined in Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule, that protect against:
- Pneumococcal disease (pneumonia)
- Meningococcal disease (inflammation of brain or blood infections)
- Measles, mumps and rubella
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and poliomyelitis (lockjaw, bacterial infection of throat and nose, whooping cough, polio)
- Hepatitis B (liver infections)
- Human papillomavirus (protects against cancer)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (can cause bacterial meningitis and other invasive infections in children)
RSV vaccine for all adults aged 75 and older and high-risk older adults aged 60–74 who are also:
- Residents of long-term care homes, Elder Care Lodges, or retirement homes including similar settings (such as co-located facilities)
- Patients in hospital receiving alternate level of care (ALC) including similar settings (for example, complex continuing care, hospital transitional programs)
- Patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
- Patients receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
- Recipients of solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplants
- Individuals who are homeless
- Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis
Booking an appointment
Visit a York Region Community Clinic to protect your family, school and community.
- Please book a separate appointment for each person in the family who needs a vaccine
- All vaccines provided will be free of charge and an Ontario Health card (OHIP) is not required
Routine a routine appointment for your child
- Complete an electronic consent form after booking to save time at the clinic
- Submit your child’s immunization record online through Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) before the appointment
- Bring your child’s immunization record (yellow book) to the appointment to ensure the appropriate vaccines are provided. Staff at community clinics can help report old and new vaccine records to York Region Public Health
For those living in the Town of Georgina and surrounding areas, you can also visit Georgina Grace Family & Walk-In Centre in Sutton for routine childhood vaccinations, including grade 7 vaccines (this is not a York Region Public Health clinic). Walk-in appointments and patients not under the care of their clinic are welcome. To learn more, visit Georgina Grace.
During your appointment, your Public Health Nurse will advise how many doses of vaccine you will need to complete each series, based on age and number of doses previously received.
Immunizations available at clinics:
| Vaccine Available | Recommended Schedule to Receive Vaccine | Vaccine Information Sheets | Eligibility to receive vaccine at clinic |
|---|---|---|---|
Measles* Mumps* Rubella* | 12 months and 4-6 years | Measles, Mumps, Rubella Information Sheet
| 4-18 years Note: The measles vaccine is available for infants/children ages 12 months and older as well as adults born on or after 1970. |
Varicella (chickenpox)*
| Ages 15 months and 4-6 years | ||
Diphtheria* Tetanus* Pertussis* | Ages 2, 4, 6, 18 months Booster dose at ages 4-6 years and 14-16 years | Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Information Sheet
| |
Polio*
| Ages 2, 4, 6, 18 months Booster dose at ages 4-6 years | ||
Pneumococcal Disease
| Age 12 months
| Pneumococcal Information Sheet
| 4 years |
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
| Ages 2, 4, 6, 18 months
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Hib Information Sheet
| 4-6 years |
Meningococcal Disease Type ACYW-135* Hepatitis B Human papillomavirus (HPV) | Ages 2, 4, 6, 18 months | Meningococcal Quad Information Sheet | Grade 7-12 students - Eligibility remains until August 31 of the graduating year for Grade 12 students
|
* Required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act
View Ontario’s Routine Immunization schedule to see when each vaccine is recommended for all age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to give my infant under 12 months a measles vaccine?
Yes, if your infant is between 6 and 12 months and at risk, like during an outbreak or before travelling to areas with increased measles activity, it is safe and recommended. If your infant does get an early dose, they will still need to get two (2) more doses of measles vaccines after their first birthday and between ages 4 and 6 years to ensure they are fully protected.
Why are only measles vaccines being offered to those over 18 years old?
Due to a current measles outbreak in Ontario, we’re prioritizing measles vaccines for individuals born in 1970 or later who may have not received them and do not have access to them through a primary care provider/family doctor. Getting vaccinated is the best protection against measles. Other routine vaccines are typically completed in childhood.
My child and I do not have an Ontario Health Card (OHIP); how can we get immunized?
An OHIP card is not required, and you still can get immunized at our clinics. All vaccines are free of charge.
How do I know if my child needs a vaccine?
Before your appointment, you can check ICON to confirm what immunization information has been shared with York Region Public Health. For additional support, please call 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73456.
Is it okay to receive multiple immunizations at the same time?
Yes, yours and your child’s immune system can safely and effectively handle receiving many vaccines at once. Receiving multiple vaccines is safe, convenient and ensures the best protection for your child at the earliest age possible.
How to prepare for your appointment
Families are encouraged to bring all immunization records and/or your “yellow books/yellow card”. Staff at these clinics can help you report old vaccine records, but it will save you time if you submit your records ahead of time through ICON.
Helpful tips before you arrive:
- Complete the electronic consent form
- Remind your child to wear a short sleeve top
- Encourage a healthy snack before
- Consider bringing a distraction such as books, music, video game
What can I expect at a York Region Vaccination clinic?
When you Arrive
A nurse clinic coordinator will greet you, check you in for your appointment, ensure a consent form is on file and will put you through to see the next available immunizer. Elementary school students require parental or legal guardian consent to receive any vaccine. The immunizing nurse will ask a series of questions to determine vaccine eligibility.
If for any reason it is not safe or it is inadvisable for you to receive the vaccine at this time, information is provided regarding other options.
Vaccine Injections
All immunizations are given through a small needle in the upper arm. You can choose which arm you would like to receive the vaccine. It is safe to give several immunizations at the same time.
Common side effects may include mild pain, swelling or redness where the needle was given.
If the side effects do not go away after a day or two, or if there has been a more severe reaction, call 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73452 and ask to speak to a nurse in the Vaccination Clinics Program during regular business hours, or contact a health care provider to seek medical care. Severe side effects are very rare.
After the Injection
Everyone will be observed in the clinic for 15 minutes after receiving their immunization and may leave after this time, provided they are feeling well. All usual activities may be resumed after being immunized.
Every person who receives a vaccine will receive a vaccine record with instructions related to side effects, further doses if required and where to call with any questions. The nurse can update the yellow immunization card if it is available.
For more immunization information or to speak to a nurse in the Vaccination Clinics Program, call 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73452.
Fear of needles?
Are you or your student/child feeling anxious or nervous about needles?
It’s normal to feel uncertain or uneasy about getting a vaccine. We’re here to help make the experience as calm and comfortable as possible.
Our staff are specially trained to support individuals who may be feeling fearful or overwhelmed.
For personalized advice and to book an extended appointment, please call 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73452 to speak with a nurse who can guide you through the process and help you prepare.
Some ways to minimize pain and anxiety for your child:
- Have an open supportive discussion about getting needles
- Remind your child to wear a short sleeve top
- Encourage a healthy snack before getting needles.
- Consider the use of a topical (on the skin) pain-reducing cream prior to getting needles such as Emla
Encourage your child to do the following when being immunized:
- Maintain an upright position and relax the arm
- Take deep breaths
- Use distractions such as books, music, video game
For more information about reducing pain of vaccinations:
- Reduce the pain of vaccination in kids and teens
- Reducing pain with comfort positions and distraction
- Reducing the pain of vaccination in infants
Guides to help prepare for a more positive vaccination experience to reduce being nervous about needles:
