Child Immunization and School Clinics

When you are giving a vaccine update, write your child's name and date of birth on every page.

If you received an immunization notice, we are missing vaccine information for your child.

Here is what you should do next:

• Talk to your health care provider to find out if your child is up to date.
• Compare our record with your health care provider's record.
• Visit your health care provider to receive missing vaccines.
• Give us the update for missing vaccines by the deadline on the notice.

You will receive a second immunization notice if we do not get the update. If we do not get an update for missing vaccines by the second deadline, your child may be suspended.

If you do not have a health care provider, contact your closest walk-in clinic. Call the Health Department if your child does not have an Ontario Health Card.

If your child cannot get vaccinated due to medical or personal beliefs, see the immunization exemption section.

Call us for a copy of your child's vaccine record.

All students under 18 years of age need vaccinations for the following diseases, as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act:

• tetanus
• diphtheria
• pertussis
• polio
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• varicella (if born on or after January 1, 2010)
• meningococcal disease group C (under 12 years of age)
• meningococcal disease group ACYW-135 (over 12 years of age)

Get more information on the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

Medical exemptions

If your child cannot get vaccines due to medical reasons, download the Statement of Medical Exemption - ISPA form. This form must be completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

Conscience or religious exemptions

If your child cannot get vaccines due to conscience or religious beliefs:

1. An in-person immunization education session needs to be completed at the Health Department. Call Durham Health Connection Line to book an appointment.
2. Download the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit - ISPA form. The parent/guardian completing this form must be the same parent/guardian that completed the in-person immunization education session. This form must be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, such as a lawyer, Member of Parliament or Town Clerk after completing the in-person immunization education session.
3. You must provide the original form to us or to the school office. We will mail the original form back to you after we have processed it.

An Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) exemption can only be submitted for children enrolled in school.

Durham Region Health Department gives up to three vaccines to grade 7 students. For the 2020-2021 school year, school vaccinations will be offered at community sites by appointment only. They will not be offered at your child’s school. It is safe for your child to get multiple vaccines at one time. Please await communication from Durham Region Health Department or your child’s school with further information on clinic locations, clinic dates, and how to book an appointment.

The following school-based vaccinations are free at Durham Region Health Department clinics. They are not free through your health care provider:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (2 doses, 6 months apart)
• Hepatitis B (2 doses, 6 months apart)
• Meningococcal C-ACYW135 (Men C-ACYW135) (one dose only)

Get more information about the grade 7 vaccines.

Consent forms will be completed on the day of the clinic with the immunizing nurse.

Clinics will be taking place this fall. Once clinic dates are finalized, they will be uploaded here. Schools will be provided with multiple days to book an appointment.

On the clinic day, encourage your child to:

• Eat breakfast, lunch or a snack before your appointment.
• Wear a shirt with loose sleeves. Wear a mask to the clinic. 
• Use distractions such as books, music and video games.
• Take slow, deep breaths during immunization.

1. COVID-19 information is provided as a link at the time of booking. You will receive a booking reminder email 48 hours prior to your appointment with further information on what to expect at the clinic and directions to the clinic location.
2. Masks are required for both student and support person. Only one support person is allowed to enter the clinic with the student.
3. Please do not enter the clinic until a nurse calls you at the time of your appointment to conduct COVID-19 screening.
4. Please arrive to your appointment on time. Do not arrive more than five minutes early.
5. COVID-19 distancing and infection control procedures are ensured throughout the clinic process.
6. Your child will get the vaccine through a very small needle in their upper arm.
7. After the injection, you will receive an immunization update to keep for your records. The nurses will observe your child in the clinic for 15 minutes.

If your child missed a vaccine(s) at the school in the spring due to COVID-19 closures, please await further communication from the Health Department or your school for information on how your child can catch up on their school-based immunizations.