Health Professionals Update – Vol. 19, No. 17
From:
Dr. Hetal Patel, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC, Associate Medical Officer of Health
In this issue
- Immunization letters to Peel students
- Reminders about meningococcal and polio vaccines
- July to December 2026 paid vaccine and STI medication delivery schedule
Key messages
- Peel Public Health is sending immunization letters to students currently in Grades 1, 7 and 8 who have not provided updated immunization records.
- Men-C-ACYW (MenQuadfi) can be ordered for students up to Grade 12 who missed their Grade 7 school-based dose.
- Polio will not be included in the immunization letter, continue assessing OPV history.
- IPV vaccine (IMOVAX Polio) supply is now available to order.
- Anticipate increased vaccine demand, review your supply and order accordingly. Order vaccines
- The paid vaccine and STI medication delivery schedule is now available for July to December 2026.
Immunization letters to Peel students
Peel Public Health is mailing one-time immunization notification letters (with no suspension enforcement) to students currently in Grade 1, Grade 7, and Grade 8 who require immunizations as outlined in the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). This initiative provides families with an opportunity to review and update their child’s immunization records with Peel Public Health over the summer.
ISPA vaccine indications for students
The antigens required under ISPA align with the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules in Ontario.
The minimum age at first dose and spacing between doses must be followed to meet the ISPA requirements.
What to do if a student presents with a letter
If a student presents to your clinic with an immunization letter, follow these steps:
- Check your records for the student’s immunization history. If the student has already received the vaccines listed on the form, provide this information to the student or parent or guardian.
- Administer the vaccines if the student has not received the required vaccines.
- Remind parents and guardians to report their child’s immunizations online or call Peel Public Health 905-799-7700, toll free 1-888-919-7800.
Vaccines received out of province should be considered valid if there is written documentation of administration of vaccine at ages and intervals comparable with the Ontario Publicly Funded Schedule. The record for these vaccines should be in English or translated by you, your patient or a relative to be considered valid.
Reminders about meningococcal and polio vaccines
Meningococcal vaccine requirements
- Students in JK to Grade 6 require one dose of Men-C-C (MENJUGATE/NeisVac-C). Routinely given on or after their first birthday.
- Students in Grades 7 to 12 require one dose of Men-C-ACYW (MenQuadfi/Menactra/NIMENRIX/ MENVEO). Routinely given in Grade 7 as part of the school vaccination program.
If the individual is immunized with Men-C-ACYW, in or after Grade 7, Men-C-C is no longer recommended.
Peel physicians can order Men-C-ACYW (MenQuadfi) for students up to Grade 12 who missed their Grade 7 school-based dose. They should not be charged for the vaccine.
Polio
In April 2024, the Ministry of Health released updated polio immunization recommendations for children who received oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), aligning with guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). This applies particularly to children who were previously immunized outside of Canada.
Implications for ISPA
Polio is not included in the one-time immunization notification letter over the summer.
Polio immunization recommendations
Some children previously considered up to date for polio may now require re-immunization. Healthcare providers are recommended to:
- Continue to review the student’s polio immunization history even if polio is not listed in the letter.
- Presume that any recorded doses of OPV administered on or after April 1, 2016, are invalid.
- Administer an age-appropriate series of IPV or IPV-containing vaccine, which covers all three poliovirus types as per the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario.
IPV vaccine supply update
IPV vaccine (IMOVAX Polio) supply is now available to order on the Health Professionals Portal.
Ordering routine vaccines
An increase in demand for routine vaccines is expected over the summer months. Please ensure you have at least a one-month supply on hand. Continue to monitor your vaccine inventory and refrigerator capacity closely, and place orders as needed to maintain adequate stock. Please allow 3-5 business days for pickup order processing. Delivery orders must be placed a minimum of 5 business days prior to the scheduled delivery date to guarantee service.
July to December 2026 paid vaccine and STI medication delivery schedule
The paid vaccine and STI medication delivery schedule is available for July to December 2026. Ensure that your staff is on-site between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on your designated delivery date to receive orders.
Orders must be submitted 5 business days before the scheduled delivery date to guarantee vaccine delivery.
Mississauga: July to December 2026 delivery dates
- July: Thursday the 9 and Tuesday the 21
- August: Thursday the 6 and Tuesday the 18
- September: Thursday the 3 and Tuesday the 15
- October: Thursday the 1 and Tuesday the 13
- November: Thursday the 5 and Tuesday the 17
- December: Thursday the 3 and Tuesday the 15
Brampton and Caledon: July to December 2026 delivery dates
- July: Thursday the 16 and Tuesday the 28
- August: Thursday the 13 and Tuesday the 25
- September: Thursday the 10 and Tuesday the 22
- October: Thursday the 8 and Tuesday the 20
- November: Thursday the 12 and Tuesday the 24
- December: Thursday the 10 and Tuesday the 22
Contact us
The Health Professionals Update (HPU) is distributed to physician offices in Peel region via email. Share this update with other health professionals in your clinic.
More information:
For questions about this update, email healthprofessionals@peelregion.ca.