School Vaccinations for Grade 7 Students

Students in grade 7

For families of students currently in grade 7:

1. Talk with your child about school vaccinations
2. Complete the online vaccination consent form to let Public Health know your child's vaccination plan
3. Check with your child's school to confirm the date of their school-based vaccination clinic, if needed

Free vaccinations

Vaccinations are offered in grade 7 to give your child the earliest protection from some serious diseases. Watch our video on school vaccinations.

If your child has been previously immunized with any of these vaccines from a health care provider such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner, report your child's vaccinations to Public Health using Immunization Connect.

Types of vaccinations

All students in grade 7 can get free vaccinations for:

• Hepatitis B

  Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver and can cause permanent damage. It's spread through blood and body fluids, which can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer.

  Hepatitis B is spread by:

  • Sharing toothbrushes and razors
  • Body / ear piercing or tattooing with infected equipment
  • Unprotected sex with an infected person
  • Sharing used needles
  • An infected mother passing infection to her child at birth
  • Receiving medical care in developing countries

  Hepatitis B vaccine

  The hepatitis B vaccine may be given in a two or three dose series depending on your child's health history and age.

  Twinrix® vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine

  Once a Twinrix® vaccine series is started, it's recommended to complete the series with this combined vaccine. Your child may be up-to-date or need one-two dose(s) to complete the vaccine series.

  To confirm the vaccine series is complete, contact the health care provider who administered the vaccine. Public Health will not routinely provide hepatitis B vaccine to complete a Twinrix® or Twinrix Jr.® vaccine series.

• Meningococcal disease (Meningitis) - Immunization of School Pupils Act requirement

  Meningococcal disease can be caused by a bacteria that lives in the back of the nose and throat that can lead to infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. This can cause brain damage, blood poisoning and sometimes death within 24-48 hours.

  Meningitis is spread by:

  • Kissing
  • Coughing, sneezing
  • Sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, lip gloss, straws, musical instruments, toothbrushes, water bottles and mouth guards

  Secondary school and post-secondary students are more at risk of meningitis because of their social lifestyle and student housing.

  If you do not wish to have your child vaccinated with this vaccine, you may receive a notice from Public Health about meningococcal disease as an up-to-date immunization record or valid exemption is required for school attendance.

  Meningococcal vaccine

  The meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine is a single dose vaccine that protects your child against four groups of the bacteria (A, C, Y and W-135). It's a different meningitis vaccine than what is given at one year of age.

  If you do not wish to have your child vaccinated with this vaccine, you may receive a notice from Public Health about meningococcal disease as an up-to-date immunization record or valid exemption is required for school attendance.

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  HPV is a family of viruses that can affect all people through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or unprotected sex. The more serious types cause a variety of cancers, such as cervical, anal, genital, mouth and throat as well as genital warts.

  Most people with HPV have no symptoms, but can infect others. Without the HPV vaccine, about 75 per cent of Canadians will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives. Both males and females are at risk.

  HPV vaccine

  The HPV vaccine series requires two doses typically given six months apart to protect your child against nine strains of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58).

  Immunocompromised individuals may require a three-dose series.

  The HPV vaccine is recommended as soon as your child is eligible to provide best protection / before they are exposed.

  Even in those that are already sexually active, HPV vaccination can still protect against:

  • New infection in those with prior exposure to different HPV types
  • Reinfection or reactivation with the same HPV type

  Watch Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic trailer.