Vaccination of children in Grade 7

In Grade 7, some important vaccines will be provided during an immunization clinic at school:

  • the HPV vaccine (second dose);
  • the hepatitis B vaccine;
  • the vaccine against meningococcal infections;
  • the combined diphtheria-tetanus vaccine.

The nurse will also check whether the child has received all the vaccines recommended for his or her age. If necessary, she will recommend the additional vaccines necessary to complete the child’s protection.

This immunization clinic is the last one scheduled in the childhood immunization program. It is therefore an opportunity not to be missed in order to complete a child’s protection before adulthood.

Here is the information on the scheduled vaccines and the diseases they protect against.

What is HPV or “human papillomavirus?”

HPV is one of the most widespread viruses. It is very contagious and can cause several types of cancer among both girls and boys, such as, for example, genital, throat and anal cancer. These types of cancer generally develop several years after infection with HPV. HPV can also cause condyloma (genital warts).

How does HPV spread?

HPV primarily spreads during sexual activity, through close and prolonged contact with the skin or mucous membranes (such as inside the mouth, vagina or rectum) of an infected individual. The virus can be communicated during any sexual activity, even without penetration.

Most of the time, an individual is not aware that he or she is infected with HPV because of a lack of symptoms. Such an individual can therefore spread the infection unknowingly.

How can I protect my child against HPV ?

Vaccination is the best way to protect your child against HPV and its complications.

Why vaccinate children against HPV at such a young age?

It is preferable to vaccinate children before they come into contact with the infection, that is, before their first sexual activities. That way, the vaccine provides them with the most efficient protection for life.

However, keep in mind that the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV (there are more than 100!) or against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use of a condom therefore remains important.

About the HPV vaccine

HPV vaccines are effective. They particularly protect against types 16 and 18 HPV, which are the ones that most often cause the types of cancer associated with HPV. They also protect against most types of condyloma.

Two doses of the vaccine are necessary for the best possible protection. The second dose of the-vaccine will be provided in Grade 7.

Studies show that protection against HPV and its complications should last several decades. Nothing indicates that a booster dose will be required later on in life.

What side effects are possible with HPV vaccines?

The vaccines against HPV infections are safe. Most of the symptoms or reactions they cause are not serious and do not last long.

Known reactions caused by the vaccine
  • in most cases (more than 50% of individuals): pain at the injection site;
  • very often (fewer than 50% of individuals): redness or swelling at the injection site;
  • often (fewer than 10% of individuals): itching at the injection site, fever.

Allergic reactions after administration of a vaccine are very rare but are nevertheless possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the injection. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis is a liver disease. There are several types of hepatitis, including hepatitis B, which is caused by a virus. This disease can lead to serious complications, such as cirrhosis (a liver disease) and liver cancer.

How does hepatitis B spread?

Hepatitis B spreads through sexual relations or through blood, for example:

  • during unprotected sexual relations (without a condom);
  • through sharing of materials for preparing, injecting or inhaling drugs;
  • during tattooing or piercing if the materials used are not sterile;
  • through contact between an infected individual’s blood and a wound or mucous membrane;
  • between a mother infected with hepatitis B and her baby during pregnancy or at childbirth.

Some infected individuals are asymptomatic. They are therefore unaware that they have hepatitis and can spread it. Some cases can be contagious for life.

How do you protect against hepatitis B?

Vaccination is the best way of protecting against hepatitis B.

About the hepatitis B vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine is effective. In Québec, hepatitis B has nearly disappeared among vaccinated youths.

The protection it provides lasts for several decades. Nothing indicates that a booster dose is necessary later on in life.

What are the possible side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe. Most of the symptoms or reactions it causes are not serious and do not last long.

  • often (fewer than 10% of individuals): pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, headache, digestive problems, dizziness, fatigue.

Allergic reactions after administration of a vaccine are very rare but are nevertheless possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the injection. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.

What are meningococcal infections and how do they spread?

Meningococcus is a bacterium. There are several types of meningococcus circulating in Québec, including those of serogroups B, C, W and Y. Meningococcus can cause serious infections, such as meningitis (infection of the brain lining) and meningococcemia (infection of the blood). Meningococcus spreads through the secretions from the nose and throat of infected individuals, even though they may not have any symptoms.

How do you protect against meningococcus?

Vaccination is the best way to protect against meningococcal infections and their complications.

About the vaccines against meningococcal infections

There are several vaccines against meningococcal infections. Some protect against only one type of meningococcus, whereas others protect against several types all at once. Pupils in Grade 7 receive a vaccine that effectively protects against four types of meningococcus: types A, C, W and Y.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine against meningococcus of serogroups A, C, W and Y?

The vaccine against meningococcal infections of serogroups A, C, W and Y is safe. Most of the symptoms or reactions that can be caused by the vaccine are not serious and do not last long.

  • in most cases (more than 50% of individuals): pain at the injection site;
  • very often (fewer than 50% of individuals): redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, discomfort, nausea, joint pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness;
  • often (fewer than 10% of individuals): fever, chills, vomiting, skin rash.

Allergic reactions after administration of a vaccine are very rare but are nevertheless possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the injection. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.

What is diphtheria and how does it spread?

Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by a bacterium. It spreads primarily through contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected individual. The disease can lead to complications such as paralysis and death.

What is tetanus and how does it spread?

Tetanus is a serious disease caused by a bacterium found especially in soil and dust. The bacterium can infect an individual by penetrating the body through a wound, such as a scratch or cut. Tetanus can lead to serious complications, such as death.

How do you protect against diphtheria and tetanus?

Vaccination is the best way to protect against these two diseases.

About the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine

The vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus effectively protects against these two diseases with a single injection. The Québec immunization program schedules one dose of the vaccine during adolescence (Grade 7 in Nunavik). A booster dose is recommended at the age of 50 years.

What are the possible side effects of the diphtheria-tetanus vaccine?
  • in most cases (more than 50% of individuals): pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache;
  • very often (fewer than 50% of individuals): redness and swelling at the injection site, discomfort, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, chills;
  • often (fewer than 10% of individuals): fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, drowsiness, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes;
  • sometimes (fewer than 1% of individuals): small bump at the injection site lasting for a few weeks;
  • very rarely (fewer than 1 in 10 000 individuals): abscess at the injection site.

Allergic reactions after administration of a vaccine are very rare but are nevertheless possible. If an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the injection. The person administering the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately on site.