Immunizations for Children and Youth

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Covid-19 Vaccines
Influenza Vaccine
Vaccines for Adults
Immunization Clinics
Grade 7 Consent

Updates

2024 School Suspensions 

• First Notices will be issued in early January 2024.
• Suspension Orders will be issued in early February 2024.
• Suspension Dates for those not receiving and/or reporting required vaccines will be March 5, 2024 for elementary students and March 26, 2024 for secondary students.
• Book an appointment with your Health Care Provider if your child has any outstanding immunizations, or visit Immunization Clinics to view additional catch-up clinic options.
• Report all immunizations to Lambton Public Health or see instructions for obtaining an exemption.
• See School Suspension FAQs for more information.

2023/24 Grade 7 clinics

• Second doses will be administered between April and June. (Those who missed first doses in the fall may start their series in the spring)
• Complete an online consent form if your child is in Grade 7 in the 2023/24 school year.
• Those in Grade 8 are also eligible if they still require any of the Grade 7 vaccines.
• Visit Immunization Clinics to learn more and provide consent.

Importance

Vaccines prepare the body to fight illness before getting sick by building the body’s natural immunity to a disease. This helps to protect children from illness and the spread of disease. Public Health works with the community to build a layer of protection in daycares and schools, helping ensure children and workers stay safe. To create this layer of protection, Public Health urges parents/guardians to follow Ontario’s vaccination schedule for:

• Babies and Toddlers
• Children at School
• Ontario’s routine immunization schedule 

Reporting

By law, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to report all immunizations to Lambton Public Health. To learn more about how to access immunization records, reporting steps, and the exemption process,  visit our Immunization Reporting page.

Requirements for School Attendance

Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), parents/guardians of children attending public or private elementary and secondary schools must provide public health with proof of their child’s immunization (or exemption) against specific diseases, including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal disease, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Varicella (chickenpox for children born in 2010 or later).

Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records on file at their local public health unit may be suspended from school until records are provided. A child who is not vaccinated may be excluded from school due to an outbreak or an immediate risk of an outbreak of a designated disease (regardless of legal exemption).

See Ontario’s School Immunization Checklist for more information.

Requirements for Daycare Attendance

Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) states that a child care centre must ensure that all children in their centre have completed immunizations appropriate to their age (or provided exemption) prior to admission, a record of immunization must be kept as part of each child’s record. Parents/guardians are to submit records to their child care centre and also report immunizations to Lambton Public Health.

A child who is not vaccinated may be excluded from daycare due to an outbreak or an immediate risk of an outbreak of a designated disease (regardless of legal exemption).

Where to get Vaccinated

Health Care Providers
If your child requires routine vaccines, please contact their healthcare provider first.

Immunization Clinics
• Catch-up clinics – Book Online
• Grade 7 school clinics
• Routine clinics 

To learn more about current options for these clinics, go to: Immunization Clinics.

Pharmacies
Some vaccines for children and youth are available at local pharmacies (e.g. flu, COVID-19)

Resources

Quick Access

Immunizations for Children and Youth
Covid-19 Vaccines
Influenza Vaccine
Vaccines for Adults
Immunization Clinics
Grade 7 Consent