Immunizations and Vaccines

Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to remain protected against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection.

Participating pharmacies and primary care providers offer COVID-19 vaccines. HPPH also offers limited COVID-19 vaccine clinics for our community

The flu (influenza) can lead to serious illness and even death in some sectors of the population. We recommend that you get the flu vaccine annually. Local pharmacies and healthcare providers offer the flu shot. HPPH also offers limited flu shot clinics for our community.

It is a parent's/legal guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to HPPH.

Learn how to view and report your child's immunizations.

If you are travelling internationally, you may need certain vaccines to protect you from disease. Consult your healthcare provider at least three months before your trip. They can let you know which vaccines you need to get. 

HPPH does not offer travel vaccines, but you can contact a travel clinic to get any travel vaccines you require.

Some patients may experience adverse effects, such as an allergic or neurological response, to a vaccine. As a healthcare provider, you are required to report all adverse events following immunization (AEFI) to Huron Perth Public Health. This information helps us track vaccine safety and improves Ontario immunization programs.

To report an AEFI:

1. Complete the Report of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) 
2. Fax the completed form to 519-271-2785, toll-free, 1-866-271-2195, or email AEFI@hpph.ca
   

Note: you don't need to report the following common side effects:

• Fever that isn't accompanied by other symptoms
• Injection site reactions that last less than 4 days
• Vasovagal syncope (without injury)
• Events that are clearly attributed to other causes

If you are unsure if you need to report an event, we recommend that you proceed with a report.

More information:

• AEFI Reporting fact sheet | Public Health Ontario
• Provincial Case Definitions for Diseases of Public Health Significance: Adverse Events Following Immunizations (AEFIs) | Ministry of Health
• Vaccine Safety | Public Health Ontario

• CARD System | Sick Kids
  • Provides strategies that can be used to help cope before and during vaccination. Includes healthcare provider resources.
• Immunization in schools
• The Immunization Well-Child Toolkit | Ministry of Health
  • Intended to assist healthcare providers in communicating information about infectious diseases and the importance of vaccines for preventing many of these diseases.
• Vaccines for babies and toddlers | Ministry of Health
• Vaccines for children at school | Ministry of Health

To order vaccines, other than COVID-19 vaccine, fax your completed order form to 519-271-2785. 

• Vaccine order forms:
  • Routine vaccines | Huron
  • Routine vaccines | Perth
  • High risk vaccine program
  • RSV vaccine for hospitals and long-term care homes 
  • School-based vaccines  
• To order COVID-19 vaccine in Huron or Perth county, please complete the electronic COVID-19 Vaccine Request.
• For information on when to submit orders and when deliveries are made, please refer to the instructions at the top of the vaccine order form. If you miss the delivery date, you can call us and arrange to pick up your order.
• When picking up vaccines, you'll need to bring a hard-sided cooler prepared according to vaccine storage and handling guidelines.
• To return vaccine to the health unit, complete the Vaccine return form.

All facilities that provide publicly-funded vaccine must follow Ontario's Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines. Huron Perth Public Health annually inspects locations where the vaccine is stored, including doctors' offices.

Key steps to vaccine storage and handling

• Have a dedicated vaccine fridge that can maintain temperatures between +2° to +8° C.
• Have a digital min/max thermometer and monitor your vaccine fridge temperatures twice daily
• Record the date and time and minimum, maximum, and current temperature in the temperature log book twice daily
• Report cold chain exposures (temperatures outside +2° to +8°C) immediately
• Transport your vaccine using an insulated container, ice packs, ice blankets and a thermometer

Cold chain reporting

Cold chain is the process of storing vaccines properly during delivery, handling, and storage in refrigerators. If the temperature is not maintained between +2°C to +8°C, the vaccine effectiveness may be decreased. The vaccine may look okay, but the person who receives it may not get proper protection.

An incident or failure happens when the fridge temperature where the vaccine is being stored goes below +2°C or above +8°C. When this happens, the healthcare provider needs to contact us right away.

HPPH staff will assess the situation and let you know which vaccines can still be used.