Dr. Pernica, pediatric infectious diseases specialist, McMaster Children’s Hospital
Required vaccinations for children to go to school
Back-to-school season is a good reminder to check up routine vaccinations for children. Throughout the pandemic and with the hustle and bustle of family life, some routine vaccines may have been missed. Along with getting supplies, lunch boxes and clothing ready for school, check out the list of vaccines that are required for children to go to school in Ontario.
These vaccinations are:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Meningococcal for meningitis
- Pertussis for whooping cough
- Varicella for chickenpox
“It’s important to receive routine childhood vaccinations to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases that can cause significant illness, hospitalization, spread, and even death,” says Dr. Jeffrey Pernica, pediatric infectious diseases doctor at McMaster Children’s Hospital. “If not enough children in the community get routine vaccines, we may see outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases among kids, elderly people, or adults.”
Routine vaccinations for children are free.
Vaccinations required by grade
Preschool or junior kindergarten
When children are 18 months they should all have received the booster for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and haemophilus influenza b. If that one was missed, then it will be needed before starting school.
Senior kindergarten or grade one
At age four or five, children should receive their booster for measles, mumps, rubella, and for the chickenpox.
Grade seven
Ontario children routinely receive hepatitis B vaccine, meningococcus ACYW-135 vaccine, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Grade 7 – but many children have missed these because of pandemic restrictions over the past few years. Please check your child’s vaccine records to see if they have gotten these – if not, Public Health can catch them up.
High school
Finally, as our children and young adults are coming into high school and on into university, at age 14 they should receive their tetanus and diphtheria booster which should be done every 10 years after that.
COVID and flu vaccines
We recommend COVID-19 vaccines and influenza vaccines for all children attending daycare or school. COVID-19 vaccines are available now and influenza vaccines will be available in the fall.
Learn about vaccine eligibility and booking at hamilton.ca.
Make sure to catch up on missed vaccines
If your child is behind on their vaccine schedule, there are easily available catch-up schedules that can be used. Your primary health care provider or public health can help provide more information.
Resources
Ontario’s routine immunization schedule
Vaccines for children & youth
A parent’s guide to vaccination
Immunize Canada
Canadian Immunization Guide
Ontario Ministry of Health
Hamilton Public Health
