Need to Report Your Child’s Shots? — ICON

Picture of Vaccine Sticky Note

Check out our new secure online system for reporting your child’s immunizations to Chatham-Kent Public Health called ICON (Immunization Connect Ontario). You can also view your child’s current, overdue and upcoming immunizations.  It’s like a yellow card, only better. Why should I use this site? It’s an online alternative to paper immunization records. It allows you to securely keep track of … Read More

March is Help Fight Liver Disease Month

Graphic of the Human Liver

  You may be surprised to learn that there are over 100 types of liver disease. One type is viral Hepatitis. Caused by viruses that attack the liver, viral hepatitis comes in many forms. The most common of these are hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A is spread by contaminated food and water. It is very common in some … Read More

First Tooth First Visit

The goal is to have a dental visit before there is a problem. Recommended routine dental visits will let your child’s dental provider catch small problems early. Here are 3 reasons to take your child for dental exams: You can find out if the cleaning you do at home is working. Your dentist can find problems right away and fix … Read More

Tuberculosis — Infection vs. Disease

Picture of lung xray

Tuberculosis (TB) Infection and Tuberculosis Disease mean two very different things and they’re easily mixed up. So, what’s the difference between TB Infection and TB Disease? TB Infection (aka latent TB) Positive TB skin test but normal chest x-ray TB germ has entered the body but is not growing No symptoms Not contagious Risk of developing disease in the future May take … Read More

Concerned about Shingles? Free vaccine available!

Image of seniors smiling

  The shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is available to adults age 50 years and older. This vaccine is covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) only for those aged 65-70 years old. For other age groups, there is a cost which may be covered by your insurance benefit plan.  Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by the virus that causes chickenpox. … Read More

Have you reported your child’s shots to the health unit?

Picture of young children huddled

We work to reduce the risk of infectious diseases within our schools and we are currently doing our annual review of student immunization records. You may have received a notice from the health unit requesting missing information be reported to us. If we have not received the requested information — your child may be withheld from school. It is your responsibility, as … Read More

It’s not too late…

…to get your flu shot!! Influenza (flu) shots are still available from your health care provider, local walk-in clinic and many participating pharmacies (for those over 5yrs of age) throughout the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Appointments are also available at WISH Clinic Services: Call: 519.355.1071 ext. 5900 to book a date/time. For more information click here.

High School Students: Are You Up to Date?

Picture of young girl in class

Caution: This video contains science 🙂 Often when we think of vaccines, we think of our baby and childhood shots. We forget that in order to keep that same level of protection that we enjoyed as children, we occasionally need booster doses. Tetanus booster shots are required every ten years for all teens and adults. The Tdap (Adacel) shot provided to adolescents … Read More

Vision Screening Program for SK Students

The 2018 Ontario Public Health Standards require Public Health Units to implement a universal Vision Screening Program for SK students. The Ottawa Public Health Unit created an excellent video reinforcing the importance of comprehensive eye exams, signs of potential vision problems, and a preview of vision screening. We have begun its senior kindergarten vision screening pilot and will provide vision … Read More

Winter Weather – Be Careful, Be Prepared!

Picture of a snowstorm

It is important to be prepared for anything while out on the roads.  One part of being prepared is to ensure that your vehicle is equipped with an emergency kit.  A vehicle emergency kit will ensure you have useful supplies to take care of yourself if you are stranded or stuck. You should ensure your car is prepared to handle … Read More

Require shots for school? Contact us — We can help.

Picture of family building a snowman

  The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit has mailed suspension letters for elementary and high students whose immunization records remain incomplete. The letters contain what information is missing and how to update the health unit to ensure your child can remain in school. April 2, 2019 is suspension day and only the health unit can rescind the suspension not the school … Read More

Upcoming Immunization Clinic Dates for Students

2 boys smiling at a school desk

  In order to protect children against vaccine preventable disease, the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is mandated by the Ontario Immunization of School Pupils Act to collect vaccine information from each student enrolled in school. If the Health Unit does not have the required immunization information or a valid exemption, then you have been issued an Order for Suspension from … Read More