Adolescents are now eligible for routine vaccine catch-up clinics being offered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Wondering what to do if your child missed Grade 7 and 8 school vaccines? Public Health Sudbury & Districts is announcing summer catch-up vaccine clinics for youth age 12 and over who may have missed receiving school program vaccines over the last year due to COVID-19 school closures.

As part of the publicly funded immunization schedule, beginning in Grade 7, youth are eligible to receive hepatitis B, meningococcal, and human papillomavirus vaccines. These vaccines are offered in school, each year, for Grade 7 and 8 students beginning in the fall. Hepatitis B and human papillomavirus vaccines are recommended for school attendance, meningococcal vaccine is required under provincial law. These vaccines protect against serious diseases, they are safe and free-of-charge. School closures may have prevented some students from receiving these vaccines.

Older youth may also have missed opportunities for routine vaccines. Youth age 14 years and older are eligible to receive a teenage booster of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine if it has been 10 years since their last dose. The teenage booster is required for school attendance.

To get student’s caught up on vaccines they may have missed, youth age 12 and older are now eligible to attend summer catch-up clinics being offered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts. COVID-19 vaccines will not be available at catch-up clinics and must be booked separately by visiting phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.

Youth who are due, overdue, or unsure if they are eligible for one or more vaccines can contact Public Health at the phone number noted below, or contact their health care provider to inquire about their vaccine needs.

Catch-up clinic details

Appointment-based clinics will run every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from July 26 to August 31, inclusive. Evening appointments will also be available on Thursdays upon request.

Catch-up clinic locations will include the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, Carmichael Arena, Centennial Community Centre and Arena, and Dr. Edgar Leclair Community Centre and Arena. Additional clinics will be scheduled throughout Public Health’s service area.

How to book an appointment

Parents or legal guardians of youth under 16 years of age, or youth 16 years of age and older who are due or overdue for routine vaccinations can make an appointment at one of the catch-up clinics this summer by calling Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

Other locations where vaccine may be received

Youth wishing to receive school program vaccines through their health care provider should contact their office. The vaccines are available for health care providers to order through Public Health’s special release program.