• Individuals will be screened prior to their appointment for symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals with suspected, probable or confirmed COVID-19, and those who are close contacts of a case, should not attend scheduled immunization appointments during their period of isolation.
• Signs, symptoms and active screening of client for COVID-19 will be communicated when booking your appointment, during reminder phone calls and prior to entering Clinic Services.
• Dedicated clinic times and space for immunizations will be offered by appointment only. No walk-ins.
• Clients receiving immunizations will be asked to only have one other person (parent/guardian) with them.
• Our waiting room will be avoided by having clients come directly to the immunization room at their scheduled appointment time where they will be assessed, immunized and wait 15 minutes prior to leaving the clinic room and Clinic Services.
• Physical distancing will be maintained at all times. Clients will be advised to wear their own face covering (cloth mask) to their appointment. A mask will provided to those who arrive without one. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after your visit.
• Staff will be required to wear a medical mask and face shield. Hand hygiene will be performed before each new client. High touch surfaces will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.

Vaccines help the immune system learn how to recognize and fight the germs that causes diseases.  Children begin immunizations at the age of 2 months. Many vaccines require more than one injection before they can offer protection, so it is important to receive all shots on time, every time. Any immunization that is given after the recommended age is called a “catch-up” immunization.  Catch-up immunizations are important if you or your child have missed out on some scheduled vaccinations.

What If We Missed A Shot?

Life with young children can be very busy. You may not be able to make every vaccination appointment for your child. But it is important to get back on schedule. You should book an appointment with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They can help you figure out what vaccines your child has already had and which ones are still needed.

• Pain Reduction Techniques
• How Can I Reduce The Pain Of Vaccinations For My Baby Or Child?

You never outgrow your need to keep your shots up to date. That’s because vaccines are your best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting sick from a preventable illness could cause you to miss work, school, or a vacation you have been looking forward to. These diseases can cause serious harm or even death.

CK Public Health recommendations include: 

• Tdap (Adacel) booster every 10 years; if you’ve forgotten when your last Tetanus booster was – it’s been too long!
• Annual Flu Shot; especially for those with high-risk medical conditions, the elderly and healthcare workers.
• Seniors 65+; one-time only Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) and Herpes Zoster (Shingles) prevention immunizations.

*Other things to consider: your job, where you live, lifestyle risks (MSM, multiple sex partners, street drugs) and travel plans.

• Adult Guide to Immunization
• Adults Need Immunizations Too
• Shingles Infographic

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.

Combination tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster shots are required every ten years for all teens and adults. Ask your family healthcare provider for your Tdap (Adacel) booster typically due between ages 14-16. 

Also, if you missed your Meningococcal (Menactra) vaccine in Grade 7 it can only be obtained free through CK Public Health for those born after 1997.

• Making Vaccines Easier for Students
• Information for High School Students
• Pain Reduction Techniques for Teens