School Programs

A Healthy Start to the School Year
Daycares
Elementary School Program
Secondary School Program
What if I Move?
School Newsletter Inserts

* IMPORTANT *

If your child receives immunization from another health care provider, please notify the health unit. The health unit does not receive immunization information from family doctors or clinics.

If you would like to update/or provide your child's immunization history to the health unit, please fill out this form and fax it to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at (705)721-1495 or mail it to: VPD Program, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, 15 Sperling Drive, Barrie, ON L4M 6K9.

A healthy start to the school year

For many of us September kicks off the 'other' New Year, identified by crowds of children heading off to school and new classes. With it comes a ‘To Do’ list that includes getting haircuts, knapsacks, lunch pails, and more importantly checking to make sure childhood immunizations are up to date.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is required under the Immunization of School Pupil's Act (ISPA) to collect and maintain up-to-date records of immunization for every child registered in school in Simcoe County and Muskoka District. The ISPA states that parents are required to provide the health unit with proof of completed immunization for the following diseases or with the appropriate documentation if they choose not to have their child immunized. This would include a Form 1 (Medical Exemption) or a Form 2 (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit).

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella

When parents register their children for school for the first time they are asked for a record of their children's vaccines. Health unit staff work closely with all schools in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka to collect and review the information for more than 100,000 students.
What immunization should your children have? Click here for Ontario’s routine vaccine schedule.

Vaccines for Hepatitis B and Meningococcal C (Men-C) are offered to students in Grade 7. This voluntary immunization program started in 1994 for Hepatitis B and 2005 for Men-C. See Elementary School Program for more information.

New in 2007 the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be offered to female students in grade 8. This is a voluntary program that has previously been offered in Great Britain, Australia, and United States. This vaccine is publicly funded only for grade 8 girls at this time. For more information on the HPV vaccine click here.

Health unit staff also offer immunization clinics in secondary schools to provide a booster for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap).  Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) and Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) are also offered if needed. See Secondary School Program for more information.

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Daycares:

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is required by law to review the immunization records of all children in registered daycare centers.  A confidential record is kept on all day care and school age children at the health unit. It is also law that all children attending registered daycares or schools have proof of immunization or a valid exemption on file at the health unit.

Parents or guardians of children attending daycares can obtain a copy of the Preschool Immunization History form to be filled out and returned to the preschool/daycare the child will be attending. The information on this form will be provided to the health unit and kept in a confidential computer record which will follow the child through their school years.

It is most important that you have your child’s immunization record up to date. Children in daycare centers are exposed to thousands of germs each day. Many children are not able to be immunized due to medical reasons. These children can become seriously ill or even die from vaccine preventable diseases. By immunizing your child you also protect other children.

Since vaccines have reduced disease many people forget or have not lived the experience of disease outbreaks.  Prior to routine immunization, outbreaks of diseases such as polio and small pox resulted in many deaths. There are areas in Europe and Russia that in the very recent past saw immunization rates decline, resulting in disease increase. 

When deciding on immunization, think not only of your child’s health and future, but the numerous playmates he/she will meet in daycare and in life.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is required by law to review the immunization records of all children in registered daycare centers - Day Nurseries Act .  A confidential record is kept on all day care and school age children at the health unit. It is also law that all children attending registered daycares or schools have proof of immunization or a valid exemption on file at the health unit.

• Preschool Immunization History
• Preschool Immunization History (French)

Activities:

Germ Coloring Pages

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Elementary School Program:

Each year the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reviews records of students registered in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Students may risk suspension from school if they do not have a complete immunization record or appropriate documentation if they are not immunized, on file at the health unit.

Immunizations can be received at your health care provider or by appointment at immunization clinics  at local health unit offices.

Grade 7 Immunization Program - Voluntary

• Hepatitis B vaccine

-a two dose series
-the first dose is given in the fall, the second dose in the spring

• Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine (Men-C)

-one dose given in November or December

A consent form for both vaccines and fact sheets are sent home with the student. The consent form must be signed by the parent/guardian and student, indicating whether or not they consent to the vaccine(s) and returned to the school. 
                    

• Hepatitis B Student Activities
• Men-C Student Activities

Hepatitis B Facts Sheet

Hepatitis B Facts Sheet - French

Hepatitis B Consent Form

Hepatitis B Consent Form - French

Meningococcal Conjugate C Facts Sheet

Meningococcal Conjugate C Facts Sheet - French

Meningococcal Conjugate C Consent Form

Meningococcal Conjugate C Consent Form - French

As soon as these forms are ready we will send them up for scanning and they can go on the page

Clinic Dates – * dates yet to be determined

Grade 8 Immunization Program - Voluntary

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

- female students only  
- a three dose series
- the first dose is given in September/October, the second dose is given in November/December, and the third dose is given in the spring

• For more information on HPV click here
• A consent form and fact sheet is sent home with the student. The consent form must be signed by the parent/guardian and student, indicating whether or not they consent to the vaccine and returned to the school. 

HPV Consent Form

HPV Consent Form - French

HPV Fact Sheet

HPV Fact Sheet - French

Activities:

HPV Student Activities

Germ Coloring Pages

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Secondary School Program:

Each year the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reviews records of student registered in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka.

Once school immunization records are reviewed, a request for immunization information/consent for immunization is sent home with the student.  Most often the age group is 14-17 year olds. Immunization clinics are then offered in the schools. In order to attend these clinics the consent form must be signed by the parent/guardian and student and returned to the school. 
 
Students who do not have complete records or appropriate documentation if they are not immunized, on file at the health unit may risk suspension from school until the updated information is received.

Secondary School Immunization Clinics – Publicly Funded

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella )

Keeping an up to date immunization record is important for this age group as they prepare to enter college, university or the work force

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What if I Move?

If you are moving to another city, province, or country it is important that you have an up-to-date copy of your immunization record.

If you are moving within Ontario you will need to provide the health unit in your new location with your child’s immunization record. If the health unit does not have this record you will receive a letter requesting the immunization status of your child.

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