School Immunization Clinics
York Region Public Health is offering all eligible students specific immunizations in select schools starting in April 2022. These school-based student immunization clinics will offer immunizations against Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal ACYW-135.
For more information about in-school immunization clinics against these vaccine preventable diseases, please call Access York at 1-877-464-9675.
Beginning in the new school year of 2022/2023, we are hoping to resume all school-based immunization clinics in York Region schools. More information will be provided to parents in the early fall.
Students may now book an appointment online at a York Region Public Health community immunization clinic for student catch-up immunizations.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. There is no cure for hepatitis B but most people will recover from it. About 10 per cent of those infected with the virus will carry it for life and can spread the virus to others. Hepatitis B can cause permanent liver damage or even death. It is the biggest cause of liver cancer.
Eligibility to receive Hepatitis B vaccine for free continues until the end of grade 8.
Meningococcal Disease
Meningococcal disease is an illness that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the tissue around the brain and spinal cord) or meningococcemia (infection of the blood). This disease can cause severe long-term health complications or death. All children attending school are legally required under the Immunization School Pupils Act to be immunized against meningococcal disease, unless a valid exemption due to medical, conscience or religious reasons is provided.
Eligibility to receive Meningococcal ACYW 135 vaccine for free continues until the end of high school.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a very common virus that has many strains. The HPV vaccine can prevent infections from the HPV strains that cause of the majority of cervical cancer and genital warts.
The vaccine is available to all grade 7 students. Eligibility to receive HPV vaccine for free continues until the end of grade 12 for all females and males born on January 1, 2004 or after only.
Suspensions
Has your child been suspended? Here’s what you need to know.
All public health units in Ontario are required by law to collect and update immunization records for children registered in schools and licensed childcare centres.
- Collect, review and update immunization records of children registered in schools in our region under the Immunization of Schools Pupils Act, 1990 and
- Collect, review and update immunization records of children in licensed child care centres under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
If an immunization record is incomplete, York Region Public Health will ask the student or parent/guardian for the information. Doctors do not report this information to York Region Public Health.