Immunization protects us from a number of harmful diseases. These diseases can have very serious complications, including death. Bacteria and viruses that cause disease travel easily throughout the world. They are easily spread person to person and can live on surfaces such as taps, counter tops, door handles and skin for several hours, even days.
For information about school requirements under Immunization of School Pupils Act, including our plans for surveillance and suspension, visit our school health reporting and requirements page.
Teaching and Learning
Using credible resources and activities that align with Ontario curriculum can help students develop age-appropriate knowledge and make informed decisions to improve their health.
- Ophea’s Vaccination Talks Toolkit - Grades 1 - 8. A free online resource with information to support students in developing health literacy related to vaccination. The resource makes connections to multiple strands of the Ontario Curriculum.
Health Unit Programs and Services
Grade 7 Routine Immunizations
The health unit offers a variety of services to support student health and immunization, including Grade 7 immunization clinics in elementary schools, review of student immunization records and catch up immunization clinics held at health unit locations across Simcoe Muskoka.
Beginning in October, Immunization Program nurses will visit schools with students in Grade 7 to provide routine immunizations (Meningococcal ACYW-135, Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus). They will return between April-June 2025 to complete this immunization series.
We contact schools each spring to schedule immunization these clinics. We visit once in the fall and again in the spring. Nurses will follow-up with emails to the school approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the school clinic. The school immunization nurse will request a space that provide a safe and private environment for students to receive their vaccines. Size of space may depend on number of staff health unit needs to bring to the school, however use of a library or small classroom are ideal.
We will also provide schools in the last week of August or first week of September with a hard copy package containing parent awareness and student consent forms for distribution home. Consent forms are to be returned to the school by September 19 2025 for return to public health to support the organization of the school clinics.
Further information is available on our student health immunization webpages.
Routine Immunizations for Secondary Students
Students who are 14-16 years of age, routinely receive Tdap vaccine, or ten years past their 4-6 year booster. This is routinely provided to student by their healthcare provider. Those who do not have a healthcare provider can be directed to Immunization Clinics (simcoemuskokahealth.org) to book appointment.
Immunization Record Review and Public Clinics
The health unit offers a variety of services to support student health through immunization, including routine review of student immunization records and public clinics held at health unit location across Simcoe Muskoka.
Support for Newcomer Students
For schools looking to support newcomer students and/or students whose first language is not English, we offer phone support using a translation line (available in 200 languages). International students require under ISPA to be up to date with the Ontario Immunization schedule. We can help families understand immunization requirements, help students catch up on any missed vaccines and ensure their record is updated to prevent suspension. Call us at 1-877-721-7520 ext. 8827.
For students who are in grade 7, we have included a QR code in the consent packages that we mail home to families to help them translate information into their language of choice so they have informed understanding and decision making when consenting to their students immunizations.
Student Engagement
Engage students in activities to promote immunization, such as the Immunize Canada: National Immunization Poster Contest.
Parent and Family Engagement
There are many ways for parents, caregivers, and families to engage in helping to ensure their child/ren(s) immunizations are up to date, along with ways to improve your child’s vaccine experience. Making a child’s vaccination experience better and decreasing the amount of pain they may feel is very important. If a child has a bad experience getting a vaccine, they may not trust their healthcare provider and may not want to get other vaccines or health care when needed in the future.
There are many things that can decrease pain and lessen stress and anxiety for children and their parents. Using a numbing cream, giving children a chance to ask questions, and informing them about what to expect, letting them choose ways they can be most comfortable when getting a vaccine can help make children’s vaccination experience uneventful and even positive.
Resources schools can share with parents and families about immunization include:
Additional Resources
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Grade 7 – Hepatitis B, Meningococcal C-ACYW, and Human Papillomavirus videos and fact sheets
- Ontario's HPV Immunization Program – information Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
- Immunize Canada – information related to immunization, vaccine safety, and vaccine preventable diseases in Canada.
- Canadian Pediatric Society – information related to vaccine preventable disease and immunizations in Canada.
- Public Health Agency of Canada – information related to immunization, vaccine safety, and vaccine preventable diseases in Canada.
Contact Us
For more information or to access services, contact your local School Health public health nurse. You can also contact the health unit at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or by completing our secure onlineRequest for Service Form.
Updated: August 22, 2025
