School Vaccinations for Grade 7 Students
We're planning the Grade 7 immunization campaign at all participating schools this year and catch-up clinics for students in grades 7 to 12. Students who haven't started or finished their school program vaccines can contact their health care provider about vaccine availability. If you don't have a health care provider, contact a local walk-in clinic.
All students in Grade 7 can get free vaccinations for:
The brand of vaccine products available may vary depending on availability.
Eligibility for missed doses
Students who missed their opportunity to receive the grade 7 vaccines may still be eligible for any missed doses. The ministry has extended eligibility for certain age groups.
Vaccine | Current eligibility | Impacted cohort for missed doses | Impacted cohort remains eligible for missed doses until |
---|---|---|---|
HB |
Grades 7 to 12 | Students born in 2006, 2007 or 2008 | End of Grade 12 |
HPV-9 |
Grades 7 to 12 | Female students born in 2002 or 2003. Male and female students born in 2004. | Aug. 31, 2023 |
Men-C-ACYW-135 Meningococcal vaccine |
Grades 7 to 12 | Not applicable | Remains eligible until vaccine is received |
Call your doctor's office to confirm eligibility to receive these free vaccine(s). For questions, contact the vaccine team or your doctor.
How the vaccines are given
Hepatitis B vaccine: This two-dose vaccine is typically given six months apart.
Meningococcal vaccine: This single dose vaccine protects your child against four groups of the bacteria (A, C, Y and W-135). It is a different meningitis vaccine than what is given at 12 months of age.
HPV vaccine: This two-dose vaccine is typically given six months apart to protect your child against nine strains of HPV (6 , 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58).
For hepatitis B and HPV, immunocompromised individuals may require a three-dose series. For more information, call a public health nurse at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425.
More information
- Students who missed their Grade 7 vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Students who have not started or finished their grade 7 vaccines are still eligible and can contact their health care provider about vaccine availability. If you don't have a health care provider, contact a local walk-in clinic (check ahead for vaccine availability).
This year, grade 8 students will be offered these vaccines at school to catch-up on any missed doses. Niagara Region Public Health is also planning catch-up clinics for students in grades 7 to 12.
Students who started their grade 7 vaccines before the COVID-19 pandemic do not need to restart the vaccine series. The health care provider or public health nurse will simply provide the missing dose(s) and your child will be up-to-date.
- School vaccinations and the COVID-19 vaccine
Students can still receive their school vaccinations even if they just got their COVID-19 vaccine.
On June 21, 2022 the National Advisory Committee on Immunization updated its recommendation on the co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. Individuals five years of age and older may now be given non-COVID-19 vaccines on the same day or at any time before or after a COVID-19 vaccine.
- 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 require 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. Niagara Region Public Health will not routinely provide hepatitis B vaccine to complete a Twinrix® or Twinrix Jr.® vaccine series.
Immunizations required for all students
All students must have proof of immunization for certain diseases.
Students are not required to get a COVID-19 vaccine to attend school. However, eligible children and youth are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. For more information, visit COVID-19 vaccination in children and youth.
Resources
- Preparing your child for Grade 7 vaccinations
- After vaccination
- Video: School-based routine vaccinations in Ontario - What parents need to know
- Video: What you need to know about vaccines at school
- Video: The CARD system
- CARD system learning hub
- Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic trailer
- School vaccination information for parents, legal guardians and school administration
- School vaccinations and the COVID-19 vaccine