Planning a Winter Vacation?

Picture of man traveling

Don’t forget your travel shots! It’s always exciting planning a trip. Your travel destination will have all kinds of new and fun things to do and so many different foods to taste. Keeping yourself healthy to enjoy all of these pleasures takes some planning too. Have you consulted a travel clinic about possible vaccinations or other medications that may be … Read More

Whooping Cough… Are you Protected?

Picture of girl coughing

  Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is a respiratory infection that can cause coughing and choking spells which can last for weeks and even months. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get immunized. Ensure that your children have had all their pertussis shots, as well as their high school booster shot. Adults can receive a … Read More

Am I at Risk for TB if I Travel?

Picture of Hong Kong at night

  You should always keep in mind that certain countries are considered higher risk for acquiring Tuberculosis. Currently the five countries with the highest TB incidence worldwide are: 1.    India 2.    China 3.    South Africa 4.    Indonesia 5.    Pakistan For a complete list of other high burden countries visit www.stoptb.org/countries/tbdata.asp If you have travelled to any of these countries it does … Read More

How to Safely Dispose of Needles

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to properly dispose of needles found on public or private property.   For more information please contact the CK Public Health  at 519.355.1071 ext. 5901 or email ckpublichealth@chatham-kent.ca    

Tara’s Story

Family Photos on a wall

Immunizations are important in all stages of life. Infants and young children need shots because their immune systems are not mature enough to fight infection. They need their shots given on a well – timed schedule. Older children and adults also need shots to restore fading immunity or to build new immunity against different diseases. So, please, choose to immunize, … Read More

How can I reduce the pain of vaccinations for my baby or child?

Picture of family meeting with doctor

Vaccinations are important in order to prevent disease and illness in your child, however they can at times cause anxiety for both you and your little one. Below are some tips to reduce pain from shots and make the experience better for the both of you. Have your baby/child sit on your lap for a cuddle during the immunization If … Read More

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

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

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.

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

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