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Immunization for Children at School

To view immunizations required for school-aged children visit: Vaccines for children at school (Ministry of Health) 

You can report and review student immunization records here: Immunization Records (Yellow Card) (THU)

Vaccines are a safe and effective way to keep children healthy. Schools are the places where infectious diseases most easily infect unvaccinated children and can cause serious illness or complications. Vaccines work by triggering the body's natural response to fight disease. it is important that children of this age are up to date with their vaccinations.

All Ontario Health Units are responsible for ensuring that children attending school are immunized according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

Public health nurses review all students' immunization records. If your child misses the requirements, you will receive a notification letter. Your child could be suspended from school if their vaccinations are not up to date, or if their immunization records are incomplete.

Let's work together to keep our children healthy and our schools disease-free!

For more information on Ontario's immunization schedule, please visit: Ontario.ca/vaccines 

Your Child’s Immunization Record 

If your child is in school, please do not bring immunization information to the school, as they are not required to keep the information on file. The health unit is the only place where immunization records are kept.

If you are unable to get your records, call to discuss your options, 1-866-747-4305.

For information on Ontario’s immunization schedule visit Ontario.ca/vaccines. Consider using the free app from immunize.ca as a tool to help you keep track of your child’s immunization record.

Immunization Reporting

Parents are responsible for providing their local health unit with up-to-date vaccination information. Your healthcare provider does not report these records for you.

Five ways to let us know:

  1. Email: immunize@timiskaminghu.com
  2. Online: click on the link Immunization Records (Yellow Card) and select “Update your immunizations here" 
  3. Fax: 705-647-5779 
  4. Mail to: Timiskaming Health Unit P.O. Box 1090, New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0 
  5. In person: at your local health unit – click here for addresses 

CARD System

We use the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) system to make your child more comfortable during their vaccination experience. The CARD system provides strategies that can be used to help cope before and during vaccination and needle procedures through a variety of resources, such as videos, handouts and activities.  

CARD System Learning Hub for Families 

Vaccine Exemptions

If you choose not to immunize your child for medical or non-medical (religious or philosophical) reasons, you must submit either a Statement of Medical Exemption or for non-medical reasons, complete a mandatory education session and submit a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief. For more information on exemptions and to access the appropriate forms, please refer to Vaccine Exemption. 

Students aged 4-years-old:

Students aged 4-years-old are required to receive routine vaccines for school attendance that protect against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (MMRV) and Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV), according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). 

Please book an appointment with your Health Care Provider or through the Timiskaming Health Unit to get your child up to date. Parents whose children are outstanding for the above-mentioned vaccines will receive a notification letter in the mail or directly from their child's school. 

School-based Immunization Clinics

In Ontario, many vaccines are offered to students free of charge.

Public health nurses review all student’s immunization records. If your child is due for an immunization that is required to attend school,  or if your child is eligible for an optional free vaccine, you will receive: 

  • a consent form offering a school-based immunization clinic for your child; or
  • a notification letter advising you to book an appointment with a health unit office or health care provider. 

For more information on Ontario’s immunization schedule visit Ontario.ca/vaccines.

For more information, or to receive a copy of a consent form contact the Timiskaming Health Unit and ask to speak with a Nurse from the School Team.

Grade 7 school-based immunization program

Students aged 14 to 16 school-based immunization program

Upcoming School Clinics in the Timiskaming Area

SCHOOL

DATE

Holy Family

October 3, 2024

EHS (elementary)

October 3, 2024

Envolée du Nord

October 7, 2024

Sacred Heart

October 7, 2024

St. Patrick School

October 9, 2024

KLDCS (elementary)

October 16, 2024

Assomption Earlton

October 17, 2024

Ste. Croix

 October 17, 2024

TDSSE

October 28, 2024

ESCSM (elementary)

October 30, 2024

ECCS

November 5, 2024

Navigateur

To be determined
 

Provincially Mandated School Programs

Schedule (PDF) 

 

Suspensions

THU makes every attempt to give parents/ guardians time to respond to the notices. However, your child may be suspended from school until you have provided the information requested (up-to-date immunization record) or until they have completed their suspension).  As soon as the health unit receives the information, the child will no longer be suspended. Schools cooperate with the health unit with this process and must suspend your student if the health unit does not receive the information, in order to follow the law.

Questions?

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Immunization 
Public Health Agency of Canada Immunization and Vaccines
Immunize Canada www.immunize.ca 
Timiskaming Health Unit: contact a School Public Health Nurse.

 

 

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