- Hepatitis B and Meningitis Immunization Program
- Vaccine Information and Missed Doses
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunization Program
- School Staff Responsibilities
- Adverse Events Following Immunization
- School Newsletter Inserts
- Resources for Teachers
Hepatitis B and Meningitis Immunization Program
Grade 7 students
In Ontario, grade 7 students have the opportunity to receive publicly funded vaccines through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. These vaccines are administered by Registered Nurses from Peel Public Health and written parental/legal guardian consent is required for students under 14 years of age.
Two vaccines are offered to all grade 7 students during the school year: hepatitis B vaccine and meningitis vaccine. Meningococcal ACYW-135 vaccine was introduced in 2009 and replaced the meningococcal C vaccine. Instead of covering only one strain, it covers four of the more common strains of bacterial meningitis, protecting students better than ever.
The hepatitis B and meningitis vaccines are voluntary and safe when administered at the same time.
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Vaccine Information and Missed Doses
Meningitis vaccine
- The vaccine will not prevent all types of meningococcal disease, but does protect against four of the more common and deadly bacterial strains causing this disease.
- Only one dose is needed.
- Students who missed the Meningitis vaccine in grade 7 will be immunized in their grade 8 year.
Hepatitis B vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
- It is given as a series of two injections, approximately six months apart.
- It is most efficient and least disruptive for the school to have as many students as possible immunized during the scheduled clinics.
- Please have students return signed consent forms before the first clinic to avoid missed doses.
- Parents' questions may be referred to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.
- Missed doses may be administered at subsequent clinics in your school.
- Students who did not receive the second hepatitis B dose while in grade 7 will be immunized in grade 8 school clinics.
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunization Program
Grade 8 Females
In August 2007, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announced a new publicly funded vaccine program for females in grade 8. The human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) provides protection against four types of HPV, two of which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers.
In the Region of Peel, female students in grade 8 are offered the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine requires a series of three doses, given throughout the school year. This vaccine is voluntary and safe and can be administered at the same time as other vaccines.
Registered Nurses administer these vaccines at school-based clinics. Written parental/legal guardian consent is required for students under 14 years of age.
- HPV is a three dose series and is only available free of charge for grade 8 females through school-based clinics. Therefore, it's very important for eligible students to attend their school clinic.
- The MOHLTC decides year to year if eligibility will extend to females in their grade 9 year. Students must receive one dose in grade 8 to be eligible to complete the HPV series in grade 9.
- If a female student does NOT receive any doses of HPV prior to starting grade 9, she is no longer eligible for the free vaccine under the provincially funded program. There would then be a cost for her to receive the vaccines through the family doctor.
- "Catch up" clinics for missed vaccines will be held throughout the year. Students who miss 1 or 2 doses are asked to call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 to make arrangements to visit a catch-up clinic to complete the series.
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School Staff Responsibilities
Information packages distributed to principals provide detailed information about clinic operation and clinic set-up requirements of the school-based program. The information is mailed to principals in September with consents forms for all vaccines: hepatitis B, Meningitis and HPV. as well as the Assessment of Students with Special Needs forms.
Principals and schools are advised of their fall school clinic dates via fax in June of the preceding school year. The spring school clinic dates are faxed early in the new year.
The principal or designate:
- Reviews the principal’s information package annually.
- Advises grade 7 and 8 teachers, administrative office staff, and custodians of scheduled clinic dates.
- Confirms scheduled clinic dates with Peel Public Health.
- Arranges for safe, clean and adequately sized space and set-up for the clinic as outlined in the principals’ package.
- Ensures availability of telephone, fax, photocopier and PA system as required.
- Distributes all consent forms and Assessment of Students with Special Needs forms (if necessary) in early September.
- Provides alphabetized class lists to the school clinic nurses.
- Promotes support of the program via:
- Student announcements
- Discussion at staff meetings
- School newsletters
- School website
The class teacher:
- Remains with students in the hallway, outside the clinic area.
- Encourages a quiet and calm environment among waiting students.
- Reinforces a positive attitude by reminding the students that the vaccine(s) help protect them from serious infections.
- Discourages peer teasing about receiving the needle(s).
- Addresses undesirable student behaviour.
- Ensures orderly flow of traffic in and out of the clinic.
- Have students sit down after receiving immunization.
- Provides activities to keep students busy while in the hallway i.e., reading a book, doing schoolwork, etc.
- Remains with students until they are all immunized and escorts students back to class.
- Sends students who are feeling unwell back to the school clinic accompanied by another student or teacher.
- Encourages students to continue with routinely scheduled activities.
The clinic nurse:
- Explains the importance of the vaccine to the students.
- Discusses vaccine safety.
- Discusses expected student behaviour during clinics.
- Dispels any myths regarding immunization.
- Explains the clinic process.
- Confirms student consent.
- Answers any questions.
- Provides immunization.
- Provides health care if required (related to adverse events).
- Promotes a positive environment.
- Directs inquiries to Peel Public Health.
The student:
- Returns a completed consent form, signed by their parent/legal guardian prior to the clinic date, to their teacher.
- Answers the student assessment questions when asked by the nurse.
- Behaves in a responsible, positive manner.
- Informs an adult as soon as possible if they feel unwell after receiving the vaccine.
- Gives the dates of immunization record to their parents.
For more information, call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or visit ImmunizePeel.ca.
Adverse Events Following Immunization
If a student experiences an adverse event following immunization after the nurses have left your school, act on any medical situation as per school protocol (i.e., by sending the student to their family physician or calling emergency services).
Once the student is attended to, report any event to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.
Some signs and symptoms of serious adverse events may include, but are not limited to:
- Flushed face, hives, and/or itching
- Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, or tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness and/or headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
School Newsletter Inserts
- Health Tip: Immunization (Elementary) (PDF 18 KB, 2 pages)
- Health Tip: Immunization (Secondary) (PDF 13 KB, 2 pages)
- September (PDF 15KB, 2 pages)
- End of October (PDF 11KB, 1 page)
- End of Year (PDF 15KB, 1 page)
Resources for Teachers
There are a number of ways teachers can help prepare students for immunization clinics. The following lesson plans are available to give teachers an introduction to immunization clinics, and to help students understand how vaccines work and how they protect against disease.
- Introduction to Immunization Clinics: A Teacher’s Guide (PDF 46 KB, 5 pages)
- Meningitis Lesson Plan (PDF 65 KB, 15 pages)
- Hepatitis B Lesson Plan (PDF 405 KB, 43 pages)
- HPV Lesson Plan (PDF 278 KB, 25 pages)
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