Lambton Public Health works with schools and families to protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases by providing school-based immunization clinics, supporting immunization record requirements, and administering the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

Reporting Forms

Administrator’s

• Notice of School Transfer Form

Parent Resources

• Online Grade 7 Immunization Consent Form
• Grade 7 Parent Handout
• View and Report Immunizations

Grade 7 School-Based Vaccine Program

Lambton Public Health coordinates school-based immunization clinics for eligible Grade 7 students.

Vaccines offered through the program include:

• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Meningococcal ACYW-135 (Men-C-ACYW-135) vaccine

The HPV and Meningococcal vaccines are provided as a two-dose series with doses administered at least six months apart.

Before the Clinic

• Parents/guardians complete an online consent form indicating consent for their child to receive the Grade 7 vaccine(s).

During the Grade 7 Vaccine Clinic

• Eligible students with parent/guardian consent are called down to the clinic.
• Students are assessed by a nurse and receive the Grade 7 vaccine(s) for which consent was provided.

After the Grade 7 Vaccine Clinic

• Parents/guardians receive information confirming the vaccine(s) their child received at the school clinic.

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires students attending school in Ontario to have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption on file.

Each year, Lambton Public Health reviews student immunization records and works with families to update missing or incomplete information.

When immunization information is missing or incomplete:

• Parents or guardians receive notification from Lambton Public Health
• Families are given opportunities to update records or submit a valid exemption
• If records remain incomplete, a suspension order may be issued in accordance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

LPH handles all personal information (PI) and personal health information (PHI) in strict compliance with all policies and procedures, privacy laws, and regulations.

What Schools Need to Know

Schools receive annual communication, provided by Lambton Public Health, outlining suspension timelines and any actions required during the annual suspension cycle.

As outlined in the Ontario Education Act, the principal of a school shall, upon request by the Medical Officer of Health serving the area in which the school is located, give the Medical Officer of Health the following information in respect of pupils enrolled in the school:

1. The pupil’s name, address, and telephone number
2. The pupil’s birthdate
3. The name, address and telephone number of the pupil’s parent or guardian

Reference:
Ontario Education Act, Section 266: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02
Immunization of School Pupils Act: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90i01

School Transfer

If a student transfers schools during the immunization suspension cycle, schools should submit a Notice of School Transfer Form. This helps ensure that immunization records are updated accurately and that the suspension process is adjusted accordingly.

New School Registrants from Outside Ontario

Students who are new to Ontario or arriving from another country should submit their immunization records to Lambton Public Health online, by mail, or in person.

Lambton Public Health will review submitted records, assess immunization status, and follow up with families if additional information or vaccinations are required.

Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

PHIPA, sets out rules for the collection, use, and disclosure of PHI by health information custodians. A health information custodian may have an “agent,” defined as a person with the authorization of the health information custodian, who acts for or on behalf of the health information custodian in respect to PHI.

To ensure compliance with PHIPA, please be informed that LPH’s Nurses and Dental Hygienists act as “agents” under the direction of the Medical Officer of Health who is the “health information custodian” of personal health information.

Reference:
Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA): https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/04p03

Resources

• Immunization School Checklist
• Immunization Well-Child Toolkit

Ministry of Health Questions & Answers on ISPA Fundamentals (English and French)

The purpose of this Ministry of Health quick guide is to provide a summary of the fundamental requirements under the Immunization of School Pupils Act