Please see the following public health information from Ontario’s Ministry of Health, Hamilton Public Health Services, Hamilton Health Sciences, and more. How to Translate: Click the “Translate” button at the top of the screen and select your desired language.
Vaccines and Immunizations
March 1, 2024 Update: Hamilton Public Health Services Delaying Enforcement of Secondary School Vaccine Suspensions
January 8, 2024 Update: Hamilton Public Health Secondary School Vaccine Clinics
Vaccines are a safe way to protect people against many infections or diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. It is important to keep track of which vaccines your child gets. Click here to learn more on the Hamilton Public Health Services website.
By law, children must have some vaccines before going to school in Ontario according to the Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) and Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA). Children must be immunized for the following diseases:
| Diphtheria | Measles | Meningococcal | Mumps | Pertussis |
| Polio | Rubella | Tetanus | Varicella |
Reporting Vaccines
Parents are responsible for notifying Public Health each time their school-aged child receives a vaccine. In the event of an outbreak, Public Health needs to have the vaccine information for all school-aged children in order to protect the community from vaccine preventable diseases.
Avoid the risk of school suspension as certain vaccines are required by law to attend school. Utilize Hamilton Public Health’s fast and convenient Online Vaccine Reporting Tool to submit and review updated immunized records.
School Vaccine Clinics
In collaboration with Hamilton Public Health, HWDSB provides school vaccination programs for Grade 7 students offering Hepatitis B, Meningococcal-C-ACWY125 and HPV9 vaccines. High school students can also catch up on vaccinations through these programs. If your child received a letter from Hamilton Public Health Services indicating a missed childhood vaccine or unreported vaccination, these clinics provide an opportunity to update records and/or receive any missing vaccinations. Click here to find upcoming dates.
On clinic days, nurses will assess your child’s immunization record and offer any overdue vaccines required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (1991), or that may have been missed in Grade 7. Prior to vaccination, students must provide informed consent at the school-based clinic, as per the Consent to Treatment Act (1992).
If your child is unable to receive their vaccination at their school clinic, or they do not have a health card and require routine childhood vaccinations, you can schedule a routine vaccine appointment on the Hamilton Public Health website. Note that these clinics are specifically for students receiving school-based vaccines. If you choose to have your child vaccinated by another healthcare provider, please remember to update your vaccine record with Hamilton Public Health.
Measles
Hamilton Public Health Services is advising all individuals of the following key messages related to measles:
- Everyone, especially those returning from any international travel, to monitor themselves and their children for any signs and symptoms of measles.
- That individuals are up to date with measles vaccination, especially ahead of any international travel.
Eight cases of measles have been reported in Ontario since the start of the year, with most having a link to international travel. These cases come at a time when global health authorities are reporting a significant increase in measles. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 79% increase in the number of global measles cases in 2023 compared to 2022.
Click here to read the full message from Hamilton Public Health Services.
Respiratory Illness
The respiratory infection season can lead to a combination of concerns including influenza, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) transmitting in the community. We continue to share information reflective of the most recent public health guidance to help protect each other, yourself and students. Click here to learn more from Hamilton Public Health Services.
- Stay at home when you’re sick
- Take a self assessment if you feel symptoms (Self-assessment | Ontario.ca)
- Wash your hands often
- Cough/sneeze into your elbow
- Get your flu shot and stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination
- Don’t touch your face
- Clean (and disinfect) surfaces and shared items
HWDSB continues to encourage and recommend the wearing of masks in schools, administrative buildings and buses as an effective public health measure. Although masks are not required, HWDSB remains a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals can choose to wear or not to wear a mask.
Hamilton Health Sciences – Emergency Department Visits
When your child is sick with the flu, RSV, COVID-19 or other illnesses, it’s natural to be concerned. Make sure to look for and monitor key symptoms in your child. While many illnesses can be managed at home, there may be situations where you need to visit a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or an urgent care centre. Recognizing when to seek hospital care is crucial.
McMaster Children’s Hospital’s emergency department operates on a triage system, where patients are seen based on the urgency and severity of their condition. While there may be a wait time for some patients, the hospital is actively implementing strategies to ensure timely care for all children in need.
If you are unsure where to turn when your child is sick, explore the new campaign by Hamilton Health Sciences for guidance and further information in the attached information sheet. Click here to learn more.
Additional Public Health Resources
- Hamilton Public Health Services
- Creating Healthy Schools
- Parenting Supports
- Healthy Eating
- Mental Health Services
- Physical Activity
- Smoking & Vaping
Updated on Monday, March 25, 2024.