Back-to-school vaccination reminder
As the new school year approaches, the Chief Public Health Office is reminding parents and guardians to check their children's immunization records and make an appointment with Public Health Nursing if vaccinations are not up to date.
Vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious illnesses. Keeping immunizations up to date helps children stay healthy at school, at home and in their communities.
"A new school year is an exciting time for children and families,” said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison. “Making sure routine vaccinations are up to date is one of the best ways to protect children from preventable diseases and support healthy schools across Prince Edward Island."
Routine childhood vaccines are provided free through public health nursing offices across the province, helping to protect against diseases including:
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough)
- Polio
- Measles, mumps and rubella
- Meningococcal disease
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Each year, public health nurses travel to Island schools to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to all grade 6 students. HPV in-school catch-up clinics were also offered in 2025-26 for students in Grade 12. Through these two initiatives, almost 90% of graduating students last year received their HPV vaccine.
Public health nurses also offer school-based immunization clinics for Grade 9 students. These clinics provide vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal disease and other vaccine-preventable illnesses as part of PEI's routine immunization program.
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Grade 12 students will be offered catch-up opportunities for routine publicly funded vaccines through school-based clinics. This initiative will help ensure students are up to date on recommended immunizations before graduation. In addition, the meningococcal B (Men-B) vaccine is available to Grade 12 students who are planning to attend a post-secondary institution or join the military.
Public Health encourages families to follow PEI's routine immunization schedule to ensure children receive recommended vaccines on time and have the best possible protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
"PEI has a very strong immunization program. We know families have a lot on their minds as a new school year approaches, so to help make immunization as accessible as possible, PEI offers recommended childhood vaccines free through public health nursing Island wide. Keeping vaccinations up to date is an easy step that families can take to help protect their children and support healthy schools and communities.”
- Minister of Health and Wellness Cory Deagle
Parents or guardians can contact a local Public Health Nursing office to have their child's immunization record reviewed and to schedule any missed vaccinations.
Families are also encouraged to receive recommended seasonal vaccines, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, when they become available this fall.
More information is available at Childhood Immunizations.
Media contact:
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca