Parents/guardians of students who received ISPA-related letters should call their closest branch office to discuss vaccine reporting and clinic options, and to book an appointment if needed.
Scroll down for more information about TBDHU’s school vaccine programs.
Immunization of School Pupils Act
The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires that all students have proof of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), polio, measles, mumps and rubella (German measles), meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and chickenpox (required for children born in 2010 or later). Vaccines that protect against these infections are free in Ontario. Please see Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule for more information, or the Recommended Vaccines Section on this Page.
For the 2023/24 school year in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, TBDHU will review and assess all Grade 2-5 student immunization records, notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information, and offer vaccine clinics at the Health Unit Main Office and in the community. TBDHU will also return to the full ISPA process, including the suspension process for students in grades 2-5 who are overdue and whose records remain incomplete.
Please read Dr. Janet DeMille’s letter to parents/guardians of students in grades 2-5 for more information.
Timeline
| Feb 6-9, 2024 | Parents/guardians of Grade 2-5 students who are overdue in completing their immunization record under ISPA will receive an Immunization Notice: Preventing Suspension by mail. |
| Mar 15 | Suspension orders will be sent to the parents/guardians of students with incomplete immunization records. |
| Monday, Apr 8 | The suspension period for students in Grades 2-5 will start on this day for students who are overdue and whose records are still incomplete. TBDHU will immediately rescind a suspension order for a student when their immunization record is completed. The full suspension period ends on May 3, 2024. |
For the 2023/24 school year in the District of Thunder Bay, TBDHU will review and assess all Grade 2-5 student immunization records, notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information, and offer suspension clinics. TBDHU will also return to the full ISPA process, including the suspension process for students in grades 2-5 who are overdue and whose records remain incomplete.
Please read Dr. Janet DeMille’s letter to parents/guardians of students in grade 2-5 in District communities for more information. Please note: Due to weather conditions the Terrace Bay grade 2-5 suspension period, along with vaccination clinic dates in this community have been altered. For updated dates, please see the table below.
For specific dates regarding this process, see the timeline outlined in the table below for each District community.
| Community | First notice sent: Request for Information Notice | Second notice sent: Order of Suspension sent | Date Suspension will begin | TBDHU Vaccination Clinic for Students Requiring Immunization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone | January 15, 2024 | March 4, 2024 | March 19, 2024 | March 19, 2024 |
| Terrace Bay & Schreiber | January 15, 2024 | March 11, 2024 | April 30, 2024 | April 30, 2024 |
| Red Rock, Nipigon & Dorion | January 22, 2024 | March 18, 2024 | April 2, 2024 | April 2, 2024 |
| Marathon & Manitouwadge | February 5, 2024 | April 1, 2024 | April 16, 2024 | April 16, 2024 |
For students needing to be immunized prior to the suspension period, please contact your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
- TBDHU hosts school-based vaccine clinics for children in Grade 7.
- Grade 7 students receive a consent form package at their school in the fall to take home.
- Parents/guardians can call TBDHU to provide consent over the phone OR send a signed consent form to the school office at any time BEFORE the school clinic date.
- For a list of school visit dates, please see the tab below based on where the student comes to school
- See the "Recommended Vaccines" sections below for a list of the vaccines given.
The TBDHU will be visiting all schools with Grade 7 students starting the Fall of 2023. See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule – first and second dose clinic dates are available. Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic. Please note these dates are subject to change.
Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.
| School | First Clinic Date(s) | Second Clinic Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Algonquin Public School | November 14, 2023 | May 14, 2024 |
| Armstrong Public School | November 9, 2023 | TBD |
| Bishop Gallagher | Nov 9 & 10, 2023 | May 9 & 10, 2024 |
| Bishop EQ Jennings | Nov 16, 2023 | May 16 & 17, 2024 |
| CD Howe Public School | November 14, 2023 | May 14, 2024 |
| Claude E Garton Public School | October 19, 2023 | May 28, 2024 (new date) |
| Crestview Public School | October 5, 2023 | April 18, 2024 |
| École élémentaire catholique La Vérendrye | October 12, 2023 | April 16, 2024 |
| École Elsie MacGill | November 30 & December 1, 2023 | May 30 & 31, 2024 |
| École Gron Morgan | November 2 & 3, 2023 | May 2 & 3, 2024 |
| École Publique | October 24, 2023 | April 25, 2024 |
| Five Mile Public School | November 2, 2023 | May 21, 2024 |
| Gorham & Ware Public School | October 10, 2023 | April 11, 2024 |
| Kakabeka Falls Public School | October 5, 2023 | April 12, 2024 |
| Kingsway Park Public School | November 28, 2023 | May 28, 2024 |
| McKellar Park Public School | November 21, 2023 | May 21, 2024 |
| McKenzie Public School | October 19, 2023 | April 23, 2024 |
| Nor’Westerview Public School | October 19, 2023 | April 25, 2024 |
| Ogden Community Public School | November 21, 2023 | May 21, 2024 |
| Pope John Paul II | November 23 & 24, 2023 | May 23 & 24, 2024 |
| Seventh Fire | October 26, 2023 | April 30, 2024 |
| St. James Public School | November 7, 2023 | May 7, 2024 |
| Sherbrooke Public School | December 5, 2023 | June 11, 2024 |
| Thunder Bay Christian School | October 20, 2023 | April 30, 2024 |
| Upsala Public School | October 23, 2023 | TBD |
| Valley Central Public School | October 17, 2023 | April 18, 2024 |
| Vance Chapman Public School | November 7, 2023 | May 7, 2024 |
| Westmount Public School | December 5, 2023 | June 11, 2024 |
| Whitefish Valley Public School | October 5, 2023 | April 19, 2024 |
| Woodcrest Public School | November 2 & 3, 2023 | May 2 & 3, 2024 |
The TBDHU will be visiting all district community schools with Grade 7 students starting in the Fall of 2023. See below for the 2023/2024 school year clinic schedule. Second dose clinics will be held approximately 6 months following the first dose clinic. Please note these dates are subject to change.
- Parental consent for vaccines offered in Grade 7 remain active for the duration of your child’s Grade 7 and 8 school years, so that missed vaccines in Grade 7 can be offered at school clinics when your child is in Grade 8.
| School | First Clinic Date(s) | Second Clinic Date 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. Parker | October 19, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| Dorion Public | October 12, 2023 | May 8, 2024 |
| École Catholique Val-des-Bois | May 15, 2024 | |
| École Notre-Dame-de-Fatima | October 20, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| École Publique Franco-Manitou | November 8, 2023 | May 15, 2024 |
| École St-Joseph | October 19, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| Franco-Terrace Catholique | October 26, 2023 | May 13, 2024 |
| George O'Neill Public | October 11, 2023 | May 8, 2024 |
| Holy Angels Catholic | October 26, 2023 | May 21, 2024 |
| Holy Saviour Catholic | November 8, 2023 | May 15, 2024 |
| Manitouwadge Public School | November 8, 2023 | May 15, 2024 |
| Margaret Twomey Public | November 7, 2023 | May 15, 2024 |
| Marjorie Mills Public | October 20, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| Nakina Public | Please contact Nakina Medical Clinic or the TBDHU Greenstone Branch Office if you are missing a dose. | |
| Notre-Dame-des-Écoles | Please contact Nakina Medical Clinic or the TBDHU Greenstone Branch Office if you are missing a dose. | |
| Our Lady of Fatima Catholic | October 20, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic | November 8, 2023 | May 15, 2024 |
| Schreiber Public | October 26, 2023 | May 21, 2024 |
| St. Edward Catholic | October 11, 2023 | May 8, 2024 |
| St. Hilary Catholic | October 12, 2023 | May 8, 2024 |
| St. Joseph's Catholic | October 19, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
| St. Martin Catholic | October 26, 2023 | May 1, 2024 |
| Terrace Bay Public | October 26, 2023 | May 1, 2024 |
If you can’t find your child’s immunization package, it can be downloaded from the following links. All materials are available in English and French.
Consents provided in Grade 7 remain valid in Grade 8 if your child missed being immunized in their Grade 7 year.
Students in Grade 8 who submitted a consent form while in Grade 7 but did not receive the immunizations can receive the immunizations in Grade 8 at the TBDHU immunization school clinic during the 2023/2024 school year.
Students in Grade 8 who did not submit a consent form while in Grade 7 are also able to receive these immunizations. We encourage parents who did not consent in Grade 7 and who wish for their child to receive these vaccines in Grade 8 to call us at (807) 625-5900 to speak to an immunization nurse. Please see the school clinic calendar tabs below for the details on the dates and times of these school visits across the TBDHU service area.
Ensuring that your child gets their missing doses at a school clinic is an easy way to get them caught up on their vaccines. However, it is recommended that they receive the missed doses as soon as possible by choosing one of the options below.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. If your child gets a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, don’t forget to send this information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
- How to Handle Your Shots Like a Champ - Part 1 | Kids Boost Immunity
- Preparing Children for School Vaccinations: A parent's guide (PDF)
- Immunize.ca - CARD Kids and Adolescents
- Immunize.ca - CARD System (PDF)
- Immunize.ca - CARD on Fainting and Muscle Tension (PDF)
- Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Kids and Teens (PDF)
TBDHU nurses will be providing the following three immunizations at elementary schools in the fall and then again in the spring, to all grade 7 students. The in-school clinic dates schedule can be found above.
- Men-C-ACYW-135 (1 dose only, fall) * required for school attendance
- Hepatitis B (2 doses, 6 months apart, fall and spring)
- HPV-9 (Gardasil®9) (2 doses, 6 months apart, fall and spring)
Yes, one dose of each of the three vaccines will be offered at the first visit in the fall. MenC-ACYW-135 only requires one dose.
TBDHU nurses return to the school in the spring, to complete the second dose of Hepatitis B and HPV-9. MenC-ACYW-135 will be offered in the spring for those who missed it in the fall.
Yes. Your child’s immune system can easily handle many vaccines at once. Receiving multiple vaccines is safe, convenient, and ensures the best protection for your child at the earliest age possible.
Yes. On September 28, 2021, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) updated its recommendations on the co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines. Based on NACI’s review of the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, NACI recommends that non-COVID-19 vaccines may be given on the same day, or at any time before or after the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 Vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide
No, they are all separate vaccinations and each requires separate consent. Both arms will be used so it is best to wear a shirt with easy access to the upper arm.
Common side effects are redness, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site on the arm. Some children experience a headache, fever, and fatigue.
Please visit our ICON website to view the record online. You can also contact our vaccine records department by calling 807-625-5900 or emailing vaccines@tbdhu.com (in Thunder Bay) or by contacting your local branch office.
Yes, they can. Please complete the consent form and indicate on the form the dates of the previous doses. A nurse will ensure the timing is correct prior to administering the next dose.
You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or your local branch office.
No. As per the Canadian Immunization Guide, a vaccine series does not need to be restarted regardless of the time between doses. The nurse will simply complete the missing dose(s) at the school and your child will be up to date.
No, COVID-19 vaccines will not be offered at school clinics. Please visit COVID-19 Vaccines for information about COVID-19 vaccine opportunities. Anyone age 6 months and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes, if your child missed these vaccines in grade 7 they are eligible to catch up until the end of grade 12. You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contacting your local branch office.
Meningococcal ACYW-135 is required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Students who do not have complete immunization records can be suspended from school under ISPA. Please ensure that the mandatory vaccines are up to date and reported to the health unit as soon as possible.
Although Hepatitis B and HPV-9 are not required for school attendance, they are strongly recommended.
Yes. Please submit the paper consent form and indicate ‘NO’ in the vaccine consent boxes. It is very helpful for the nurses on clinic day to have completed consent forms for all students. To submit your child’s records please write the dates on the consent form, get your Health Care Provider to fax records, mail/or drop off records, or submit them via the ICON website.
You may contact your primary care provider or make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or your local TBDHU branch office. You can also wait until the spring school clinics to start their vaccine series.
If they completed a full series of Hepatitis B vaccine they do not need to repeat the Hepatitis B vaccine at school. Fill out the paper consent with the dates the vaccine was received and indicate ‘NO’ in the consent box for the Hepatitis B vaccine. If they have not received the full series, a nurse will reach out and advise if the vaccine is needed.
Yes, the Men-C-C vaccine received at 12 months of age is not the same as the Men-C-ACYW-135 vaccine that is offered in Grade 7. Men-C-ACYW is used to protect adolescents against 4 strains of meningitis (ACYW-135) whereas the Men-C-C vaccine received in infancy provides protection against the C strain only.
As per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), only one valid dose of Men-C-ACYW-135 after age one is required for school attendance. However, your child is still eligible for a publicly funded dose of Men-C-ACYW-135 in Grade 7. Antibodies can wane overtime so receiving another dose is recommended, however optional. For more information on a second dose please call 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contact your local branch office.
Vaccines required for school attendance under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) will need a valid religious or conscientious exemption form completed. For instructions on religious or conscientious exemptions and to download a form, view the “exemptions” drop-down menu on this page.
Please submit the paper consent and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of exemption.
For instructions on medical exemptions and to download a form to be completed by your primary care provider, view the “Exemptions” drop-down menu under the "Immunization of School Pupils Act" section on this page.
Please submit a paper consent and indicate “NO” in the consent boxes and add a note to advise you are in the process of medical exemption.
Yes. You can make an appointment at the health unit by calling 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contacting your local branch office.
Parent attendance at school clinics is not ideal as students are called to the clinic by class, therefore the time of day that your child will be immunized is difficult to determine. If you would prefer to attend the appointment with your child, you can book an appointment with your Primary Care Provider or at the health unit. To book at the health unit, call 807-625-5900 (in Thunder Bay) to speak with a nurse in the VPD department or contact your local branch office.
There is no minimum age of consent for medical treatment in Ontario. Parental consent is encouraged. However, if a high school student attends a school clinic and requests an immunization, TBDHU nurses will assess their capacity to understand the information relevant to making the decision, such as the risks and benefits of the vaccines they are eligible to receive. It is encouraged to talk to your child about the vaccines they are eligible to receive and the options for consenting.
School Clinic Calendar
TBDHU visits high schools once per school year to offer the Tdap vaccine to eligible students. Other missing ISPA-required vaccines may be offered at the same time. To learn more about the Tdap and other recommended vaccines, see the Recommended Immunizations section below.
Dates for the 2023/2024 school year are found below. Consents will be mailed directly to the student’s home addresses and should be returned to the school.
| School | Clinic Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Dennis Franklin Cromarty | January 16, 2024 |
| Hammarskjold High School | December 7 & 8, 2023 |
| La Verendrye | January 11 & 12, 2024 |
| Seventh Fire | Postponed |
| St. Ignatius High School | January 8 & 9, 2024 |
| St. Patrick High School | January 18 & 19, 2024 |
| Superior CVI | December 11 & 12, 2023 |
| Westgate CVI | December 14 & 15, 2023 |
For the 2023/24 school year, TBDHU will review and assess all high school student immunization records, notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information, and offer vaccine clinics in high schools, as well as suspension clinics. TBDHU will also return to the full ISPA process, including the suspension process for high school students who are overdue and whose records remain incomplete.
Please read Dr. Janet DeMille’s letter to parents/guardians of high school students in District communities for more information. Please note: Due to weather conditions the Terrace Bay dates have been altered. For updated dates, please see the table below.
For specific dates regarding this process, see the timeline outlined in the table below for each District community.
| Community | Request for Information Notice: Suspension Prevention | High School Vaccination Clinic | Order of Suspension Notice | Suspension in Effect | Suspension Vaccination Clinic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenstone | February 12, 2024 | March 18, 2024 | April 8, 2024 | April 23, 2024 | April 23, 2024 | |
| Terrace Bay & Schreiber | February 19, 2024 | April 29 & May 1, 2024 | April 15, 2024 | May 22, 2024 | May 22, 2024 | |
| Nipigon, Red Rock & Dorion | February 26, 2024 | April 3, 2024 | April 22, 2024 | May 7, 2024 | May 7, 2024 | |
| Marathon & Manitouwadge | March 4, 2024 | April 15, 2024 | April 29, 2024 | May 14, 2024 | May 14, 2024 |
School Clinic Calendar
| School | Clinic Date - 2024 |
|---|---|
| Nipigon-Red Rock District High | April 3 |
| Lake Superior High | April 29 & May 1 |
| Geraldton Composite High School | March 18 |
| École Secondaire Chateau Jeunesse | March 18 |
| Manitouwadge High | April 15 |
| Marathon High | April 15 |
| École Secondaire Cité-Supérieure | April 15 |
For the 2023/24 school year, TBDHU will review and assess all immunization records for students in Senior Kindergarten and Grade 1 and in grades 6-8 in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. TBDHU will also notify parents/guardians of missing vaccines or information.
TBDHU will NOT enforce the suspension process in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas for these students for the 2023/24 school year. However, students that are currently in Senior Kindergarten, Grade 1, or Grades 6-8 may be eligible for suspension in future school years.
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, your child can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief.
For Medical Reasons
You must fill out a Statement of Medical Exemption form that has been signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and submit it to the closest office of the TBDHU. It will indicate the reason for the exemption:
- your child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine
- there is evidence of your child’s immunity to the disease, making further immunization unnecessary
For Conscience or Religious Belief
- Complete a mandatory education session via video (Vaccine Education Video - YouTube) that covers:
- Basic information about immunization
- Vaccine safety
- Immunization and community health
- Immunization law in Ontario
- Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and have it signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario.
- Following the completion of the education session video and Statement of Conscience or Religious form, make your way to the TBDHU office in Thunder Bay Monday-Friday between 9 am-4 pm and ask to see a VPD nurse. You will receive a Vaccine Education Certificate signed and dated by a VPD nurse, as well as review and sign an attestation form with a VPD nurse. Residents in District communities should contact their local branch office for further direction.
PLEASE NOTE: As of October 1, 2023, parents/guardians seeking an exemption in Thunder Bay must book an appointment to ensure a nurse is available to complete this process. Appointments can be booked by calling 807-625-5900 in Thunder Bay.
- Make copies of your signed Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form and submit the original to your nearest TBDHU office. It is important to keep a copy for your records.
If TBDHU has a child’s immunization record on file that is not up-to-date according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), parents/guardians will be notified through a letter sent home by the TBDHU. The letter will provide details and instructions so a suspension can be avoided.
If you receive a letter, please review immediately and contact a TBDHU nurse; call 807-625-5900 in Thunder Bay or contact your nearest branch office. To avoid suspension, always keep your child's immunizations up-to-date according to Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule, and report all immunizations to the TBDHU.
If you/your family has specific needs in order to comply with ISPA requirements, please reach out. We provide individualized support to families as needed.
Students Entering School in September 2024
If you have any children who are starting kindergarten, who were previously homeschooled, who previously attended a private school, or who will be attending school in Ontario for the first time, TBDHU needs a copy of their immunization record. TBDHU staff need an accurate history of your child’s vaccines so they can determine whether your child has all the vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Most health care providers do not forward immunization information to TBDHU. If your child received a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, it is your responsibility as their parent/guardian to share this information with the TBDHU. You can ensure that your child’s records are up-to-date when they start school by:
- Creating a secure Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) account for your child and submitting all of their vaccine records to us through ICON, OR
- Completing the TBDHU School Entry Form, attaching a copy of all of your child’s vaccine records, and dropping off in person, mailing, or faxing it to your closest TBDHU office.
Recommended Vaccines
TBDHU does not provide vaccines to children of this age at school. However, it’s important for parents/guardians to know that between 4 and 6 years old, children should receive the following vaccines:
These vaccines are required for school attendance in Ontario, or a valid exemption must be on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section below. Children who are eligible now or missed these vaccines between the ages of 4-6 should receive them as soon as possible. See the tab below to learn how you can take advantage of additional opportunities TBDHU is offering to get your child up to date.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. If your child gets a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, don’t forget to send this information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
TBDHU hosts school-based vaccine clinics for children in Grade 7 to provide the following vaccines:
- *Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) vaccine (1 dose needed); eligible until the vaccine is received.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV-9) vaccine (2 doses); eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at age 15 and older require 3 doses to complete.
- Hepatitis B vaccine (2 doses needed); students are eligible until August 31 of their Grade 12 year; those who start the series at 16 and older require 3 doses to complete.
*Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) is required for school attendance in Ontario or a valid exemption must on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section above.
School Clinics
Providing written or verbal consent and/or encouraging your child to attend their school’s scheduled vaccine clinic is the easiest way to keep your child up to date on their vaccines.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. If your child gets a vaccine at a health care provider’s office, don’t forget to send this information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
High school students are eligible for the following vaccine 10 years after their 4-6 booster:
- Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap): a 10 year booster that is a three-in-one vaccine that protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
The Tdap vaccine is required for school attendance in Ontario or a valid exemption must be on file with TBDHU. For more information, see the “Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)” section above.
School Clinics
Providing written or verbal consent and/or encouraging your child to attend their school’s scheduled vaccine clinic is the easiest way to keep your child up to date on their vaccines.
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment. Don’t forget to send vaccine information to TBDHU through ICON, a safe online portal, or by faxing or emailing it to the closest branch office.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse to confirm eligibility and learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
Recent High School Graduates Missing Routine School-Aged Immunizations
Over the last few years, some young adults may have missed opportunities to receive publicly-funded vaccines that have age or grade-based eligibility. Ontario has temporarily expanded the eligibility criteria for some of these vaccines. Recent high school graduates who think they may have missed publicly funded vaccines that are routinely given in school should call 807-625-5900 or their local branch office to speak to a nurse to see which vaccines they are eligible for, which may include:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV-9) Vaccine
- Meningococcal Conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) Vaccine
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your eligibility for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
You should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
Immunizations for Home Learners
Students learning from home who need vaccines can access immunizations in the following ways:
Health Care Providers
If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit Clinics
Thunder Bay Area
- Step 1: Call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 to speak with a nurse and confirm your child is eligible for a routine vaccine and to learn more about clinic options.
- Step 2: Book an immunization appointment at our 999 Balmoral Street office in Thunder Bay or visit one of our walk-in vaccine clinic options.
District Communities
Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available through a variety of channels including health care providers, pharmacies and TBDHU clinics.
For Further Information
Call a vaccine nurse at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 294-6630.