Immunization for school-aged children and youth
Related topics: Children and youth health Immunization Public Health
Keep your child's immunization records up to date
Please ensure your child's immunization records (history) are up to date before they enter kindergarten and/or before a scheduled immunization appointment at a VCH location.
You can update or view your child's immunization information online at Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON). Ensure your child receives the appropriate vaccine(s) by updating their immunization record in ICON before the clinic appointment and bringing your Child's Health Passport or translated to the clinic, if available.
Learn where to get immunizations for school-aged children and youth ages four to 18 if you live in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
Routine school-aged immunizations are free
As children get older, the protection from infant immunizations can wear off. Children can be at risk of new diseases as they enter kindergarten and in their pre-teen and teen years.
Vancouver Coastal Health offers immunization for children and youth in
Students in grade 6 and 9 will be offered immunizations at school. They will receive a letter from Vancouver Coastal Health with information on the vaccines they are eligible for.
Click on the ages below to learn more about immunization.
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Kindergarten (ages 4 to 6)
Before a child starts Kindergarten, an immunization visit is a great way to catch up on other shots that might have been missed as part of child’s infant vaccinations and for them to receive their age four to six immunizations.
Students can get their Kindergarten vaccines at these locations:
- Pharmacies in the region
- Your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner
- School-aged immunization clinics (see locations at the bottom of this page)
Vancouver Coastal Health Public Health Nurses also provide immunizations to kindergarten students in school if needed. Information and consent forms will be sent home at the beginning of the school year.
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Grade 6
VCH offers the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to students in schools for students in Grade 6 as part of the Grade 6 immunizations in B.C schedule.
Students can get their Grade 6 vaccines at these locations:
- In school, offered by the local VCH Public Health Nurse. Consent forms will be sent to you to fill out in advance.
- Pharmacies in the region
- Your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner
- School-aged immunization clinics (see locations at the bottom of this page)
- Sexual Health Clinics
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Grade 9
VCH offer the routine Grade 9 vaccines as part of the Grade 9 immunizations in B.C.schedule.
Grade 9 vaccines include:
- Meningococcal quadrivalent conjugate vaccine to protect against infection from 4 types of meningococcal bacteria: types A, C, Y and W
- Tdap vaccine to protect against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (or whooping cough)
Students can get their Grade 6 vaccines at these locations:
- In school, offered by the local VCH Public Health Nurse. Consent forms will be sent to you to fill out in advance.
- Pharmacies in the region
- Your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner
- School-aged immunization clinics (see locations at the bottom of this page)
- Sexual Health Clinics
COVID-19 and influenza immunizations
Anyone aged six months and older is eligible for the vaccine. If your child only requires COVID and/or the flu vaccine (no routine childhood vaccines needed) please book at Get Vaccinated.
The vaccines are free and children do not need B.C. Care Cards to receive them.
Consent for immunizations in school
Vancouver Coastal Health Public Health offers in-school immunization for students in Kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9 for the recommended routine vaccines.
Please complete, sign and return the consent form to your child’s school. It is recommended and encouraged that parents/guardians discuss consent for immunization with their children.
BC’s legislated Infant’s Act states that children under the age of 19, can provide consent for health care if the health care provider determines that the child is capable of making this decision. This is called mature minor consent and includes providing consent for immunizations.
Although there is no set age when a child can give mature minor consent for immunizations, in most circumstances nurses working in Public Health in B.C. will get consent from the parents/guardians of children in grade 6. However, nurses working in public health in B.C. will offer mature minor consent as an option for grade 9 students who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions (side effects) for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized.
Frequently asked questions
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Why do I need to submit my child's immunization records to their school and VCH?
The Vaccination Status Reporting Regulation (VSRR) was put into place on July 1, 2019. It supports the collection of immunization records of school-age children by public health so that all records are stored in one place, the Provincial Immunization Registry. The regulation applies to all students in all schools within the Province's jurisdiction. This includes international students and those who are home-schooled. It does not apply to children attending schools in First Nations communities.
When you report your child’s immunization records to Vancouver Coastal Health, your Provincial records will also be updated. Learn how to check your child’s immunization record or how to report your child’s immunization record to VCH and more about immunization records.
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What if my child is not immunized?
Your child could get seriously ill if a vaccine-preventable disease, such as mumps or measles, circulates in a school or community and they do not have immunity. Vaccines are safe and are your child's best protection. You can learn more about vaccine safetyand myths about vaccines.
Some children can not be immunized against certain diseases because of medical conditions. If other non-immunized children bring disease into a school, it can be serious and even deadly for those children.
If someone at school has a vaccine-preventable disease, children who are unprotected (not immunized) may be asked to stay home until it is safe to return.
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I am new to the region and I'm not sure what vaccines my child needs. What should I do?
If you are new to Canada, immunization schedules are often different from country to country. As a new Canadian, there may be free vaccines that your child needs. Talk with your doctor or nurse from your local public health unit to find out what vaccines your child may be missing.
Resources
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ImmunizeBC
Immunization information, materials and resources for parents and health care professionals.
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Caring for Kids: Immunization
A parent’s guide to immunization information on the internet.
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Teacher and student education resources
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Adult learning resources
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HealthLink BC: The benefits of vaccinating your child
Information on why you should consider immunizing your child.
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BC Centre for Disease Control: Immunizations and vaccines
Comprehensive information on immunization and vaccines.
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Map of immunization coverage in B.C.
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Kids Boost Immunity
Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.
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World Health Organization: Immunizations
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Tommy's Force Field
Public health nurse Marilee Hare created this immunization resource to educate children on the importance of getting vaccinated.
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Video: I lost my friend to meningitis
A video about the importance of getting vaccinated against meningococcal disease. It only took four days for meningitis to take Leo's life. In B.C., Canada, grade 9 students will be offered a vaccine that prevents deaths like Leo's.
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Tips for school-age children and teens
Tell your child that immunizations are part of keeping healthy. Be positive and talk ahead of time about what to expect. Bring a book or toy to distract them during their immunization. Learn other helpful tips to make your child’s immunization experience a positive one.
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Where to get immunized
Students in grade 6 and 9 will be offered routine immunizations at school. Vaccines are also offered at other locations.
Use the immunization clinic finder to find locations for school-aged immunizations, COVID and flu vaccines and more near you.