IMMUNIZATION CATCH-UP CLINICS

Dear Parent/Guardian,

In recognition of the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine vaccination rates, Hamilton Public Health in partnership with school boards will be offering additional catch-up vaccine clinics for students currently in grades 7to12 during the summer months. These clinics will be held at a variety of local schools to provide a more familiar and nearby site for your children to receive their lapsed vaccinations.

Students that are missing or behind on their Hepatitis B (Hep B), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Meningitis (Men-C-ACYW135) and/or Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines will have this additional opportunity to receive their vaccinations. Students will also be given the opportunity to receive COVID-19 booster doses at these clinics if eligible.

The HPV and Hep B vaccines are 2-dose series if received between the ages of 11-15 years. For children 15 years and oldera3-dose HPV series may be needed. For children 16 years and older a 3-dose Hepatitis B series may be needed.The Meningitis vaccine is a single dose and has coverage for more strains than the vaccine your child received as an infant. The Tdap vaccination is a routine booster that is due every 10 years and usually due for students between 14 to 16 years of age.Both the Meningitis and Tdap vaccinations are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and students that are behind on these vaccinations are at risk of exclusion from school in outbreak situations and/or due to lapsed vaccination records.

View available dates and locations for these catch-up clinics and book an appointment at www.hamilton.ca/schoolclinics. For more information about vaccines and the work of Public Health please visit www.hamilton.ca/vaccines.

Please ensure you child has eaten breakfast on their clinic day and is wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Children will be assessed for vaccine eligibility and consent for the vaccinations will be obtained during their visit to the clinic.

If you have any questions about the vaccinations or the clinic, please reach out to our nurses at 905-546-2424 extension 7556, or you can email them at [email protected].

Thank you,

Sharalyn Penner-Cloutier RN, BScN

ManagerCommunity Vaccination and School Clinics

City of Hamilton, Healthy and Safe Communities Department