Families in Sidney and across the region are finding it easier to keep children up to date with their vaccinations thanks to the expansion of school-based immunization clinics by Island Health.
On April 7, 2026, the health authority announced that these clinics have helped increase regional vaccination coverage to 75 percent, placing the area above the provincial average for students up to date on publicly funded vaccinations. The program, which is currently in its fourth year, has grown significantly from a 2022 pilot project that included only 13 percent of local schools. As of 2026, 63 percent of schools across the region now host these clinics.
Historically, many families struggled to keep up with vaccination schedules because they had to rely on clinic appointments that were often difficult to attend during work or school hours. By bringing vaccinations directly into schools, the program removes these logistical barriers for busy parents. Local residents served by the Peninsula Health Unit, which covers the Saanich Peninsula and Sidney, currently maintain some of the highest vaccination rates on Vancouver Island at 79 percent.
The program now serves multiple age groups. Kindergarten-aged children receive routine childhood immunizations, while students in grades 6 and 9 are provided with vaccines for hepatitis B, HPV, and meningococcal disease as part of the provincial immunization schedule. These efforts are being highlighted during Canadian Public Health Week, which runs from April 6 to April 10, 2026, to recognize the collaboration between public health officials, parents, schools, and students.
