Every fall and spring, the HKPR District Health Unit staff visit elementary schools to immunize Grade 7 students. At these clinics, students are offered the following vaccines:
Meningococcal (meningitis)
- Vaccine: Nimenrix® or Menactra®
- Doses: One
- Required for school.
Hepatitis B
- Vaccine: Recombivax® HB or Engerix-B®
- Doses: Two (if second dose is not given before the child is 16 years of age, a third dose is needed).
- Recommended, but not required for school.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Vaccine: Gardasil® 9
- Doses: Two (if first dose is not given before the child is 15 years of age, then three doses are needed).
- Recommended, but not required for school.
Consent forms, parent letters and information sheets are sent home with students in early September. The Health Unit will only immunize students whose parent or caregiver has completed the consent form and signed “YES”.
Tips for clinic day
- eat a good breakfast.
- bring a lunch.
- wear a short-sleeved shirt.
- bring a distraction: music, a book or a game.
- know that the needle may feel like a pinch in the upper arm and should only last for a few seconds.
If you have any questions about the school immunization program, please call us at 1-866-888-4577 ext 1507.
Other Recommended Immunizations:
A tetanus booster (Adacel) should be given to children between 14 to 16 years of age. Please contact your health care provider or the Health Unit to book an appointment.