2024/2025 School Year
Thunder Bay High Schools - Steps to take if a student is suspended (beginning Tuesday, March 25)
- Get the vaccine they need by walk-in: On Tuesday, March 25 they can go directly to the CLE Coliseum Clinic from 9:30am-5pm. Beginning March 26 they can visit the TBDHU Clinic at 999 Balmoral (Mon-Fri) between 9am and 3:30pm.
- Report the vaccine they’ve already received: Follow steps at TBDHU.com/vaxreport or call 807-625-5908 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm).
- File an exemption: Call 807-625-5908 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm).
Submitting Vaccine Records - Allow 24 hours before a student`s record is updated
- Please allow 24 hours for a student`s record to be updated after any vaccine information is submitted to TBDHU.
- This includes any vaccine information information submitted today (March 24) before the start of the Thunder Bay high school suspension period on March 25.
Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)
- TBDHU will continue to review student vaccine records and notify parents or guardians if their student is missing vaccines or vaccine information.
- Thunder Bay Schools - See the ISPA section below for more information and dates.
- Orders for Suspension have been sent to students in Senior Kindergarten through Grade 12 in Thunder Bay schools.
- The suspension period for HIGH SCHOOLS begins on Tuesday, March 25. See the ISPA Section below for details on how to update an immunization record before the first day of the suspension period.
- District Schools - See the ISPA section below for more information and dates.
School-based Clinics for High School Students
- Thunder Bay schools - Clinics at Thunder Bay high school clinics are complete for 2024/2025 school year.
- District schools - See Vaccines for High School Students for a school clinic schedule.
School-based Clinics for Grade 7 Students - Thunder Bay and District schools
- See the Vaccines for Students in Grades 7 and 8 section below for more details on the vaccines offered, the consent process, how students in Grade 8 who are missing vaccines can access them at school and a school clinic schedule.
- School-based clinic schedules are also available below.
Other Updates:
Reporting Immunizations to TBDHU
- Parents and/or guardians are responsible for reporting their child’s immunizations to their local public health unit so an up to date record is on file for the student.
- Learn more about the options available for submitting records by visiting the Reporting and Obtaining Immunization Records webpage. There is now an option to take a photo of any paper records and upload to a secure website.
- Public health units in Ontario are required to keep up-to-date immunization records for every student in relation to nine designated diseases as outlined in the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).
- Public health units will review immunization records of all elementary and secondary students annually to ensure they are up-to-date.
- Reporting immunizations to TBDHU also allows for timely review and action if there is a report of a vaccine preventable disease (e.g. measles) in a school.
Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)
Vaccines for Students in Grades 7 and 8
- TBDHU hosts school-based vaccine clinics for children in Grade 7 each school year. Students in Grade 8 who are missing Grade 7 vaccines will be given the opportunity to receive missed doses and more information is listed below on how to catch up.
- These clinics are the easiest way to keep your child up to date on their vaccines.
- See the tabs below for more information on the recommended vaccines as well as the consent process and a schedule of school clinics based on where the child attends school.
Vaccines for High School Students
Students Entering School
TBDHU needs a copy of the immunization records of all students entering school including children who:
- are starting junior kindegarten
- have moved to the Thunder Bay District from
- a home community
- another province
- another country
- were previously homeschooled or attended a private school
Where to get a missing dose of vaccine
Students who miss a vaccine clinic at school will receive information in the mail explaining options. Students who need vaccines can access immunizations through:
Immunizations for Home Learners
Students learning from home may be missing vaccines. Families can call TBDHU at 807-625-5908 or contact their local branch office to speak with a nurse about catching up.
- If you have a health care provider, contact them to make an appointment.
- Parents and/or guardians are responsible for reporting their child’s immunizations to their local public health unit so an up to date record is on file for the student.
- Ask your health care provider to submit the records to TBDHU OR learn more about the options available for parents to submit records by visiting the Reporting and Obtaining Immunization Records webpage. There is now an option to take a photo of any paper records and upload to a secure website.
- If you are unable to get an appointment in a timely manner OR you don’t have a primary care provider, you can make an appointment to receive the vaccine at TBDHU by calling a vaccine nurse at 807-625-5908 (in Thunder Bay) or by contacting your local branch office.
Students in this age group should also stay up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. See the COVID-19 vaccines webpage for more information
Exemptions
- Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, your child can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief.
- No part of the ISPA affidavit can be altered (e.g. clients writes in COVID-19 vaccine) in any way and no public health unit, including TBDHU, can accept the altered document.
- If a parent/legal guardian does not agree with any part of the affidavit, they must attach a separate letter or note that can be submitted with the affidavit.
For Further Information
Call a vaccine nurse at (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free at 1 (888) 294-6630.
External Links