Hastings Prince Edward Public Health works in partnership with schools to protect students from vaccine preventable disease. This involves maintenance and review of student records under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), as well as the delivery of school-based immunization clinics.
Maintenance and Review of Student Immunization Records
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), Public Health is required to have an up-to-date immunization record for all students attending school.
While most students must be immunized, occasionally exemptions may be obtained for various reasons. For additional information about exemptions, visit our Daycare and School Immunizations page.
Each year, Public Health will review all elementary and secondary school students’ immunization records. Parents will receive letters from Public Health if their child’s immunization information is not up-to-date. Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption on file with Public Health may be excluded from school for up to 20 days. This process may be known in schools as the ‘suspension process’. For more information on all vaccines offered to Ontario residents free of charge, please see Ontario’s current Routine Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
School-based Immunization Clinics
Public Health works with local school boards to deliver hepatitis B, meningococcal and HPV immunizations to grade 7 students at their school. Immunization nurses arrange the clinics directly with each individual school.
Requirements for Room Set Up
In order to provide a safe environment for administering immunizations, it is VERY important for Public Health staff to have adequate space and seating to immunize approximately 10-15 students at one time. It is preferable for staff to be in a large room such as a library or gym, however other rooms may be suitable, as long as they are large enough and have adequate light, air flow and space. Please avoid stage areas if other activities are happening at the same times as the clinic. Tables and chairs are also required. For more information, please see our School Immunization Clinics – Required Practice Guidelines. Your assistance is appreciated to ensure the success of these clinics.
