Pertussis (also called whooping cough) is a respiratory infection that can cause spells of violent coughing for weeks or months. It is spread easily through coughing and sneezing. Pertussis can also cause pneumonia, ear infections, seizures, swelling of the brain and death. Children younger than one year of age have the highest risk of complications. However, pertussis protection is … Read More
Every Child Needs Protection
Children in Ontario receive immunizations to help protect them from serious childhood diseases. 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. Any immunization … Read More
Vaccines are Important!
Parents want to do everything possible to make sure their children are healthy and protected from preventable diseases. Vaccination is the best way to do that. Vaccination protects children from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases which can include amputation of an arm or leg, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, brain damage, and death. Vaccine-preventable diseases, such … Read More
Preparing your Student for Shots At School
Your child may be feeling anxious about getting needles at school. Yes, your child. The Public Health Nurses work to minimize the time the students are within the clinical environment, and use other techniques to decrease pain and anxiety, in order to help the student through the process. Here are some ways for you to help your child prepare for … Read More
Back to School: Do you have a child in Grade 7?
If so, you should receive immunization consents from the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit the first week of school. This school year we will be providing Hepatitis B, Meningococcal and HPV immunizations to all Grade 7 students (boys and girls), as well as catching up any Grade 8 students who may have missed out. The process is simple – just sign the consent form … Read More
Is your child home-schooled?
They may qualify for free Hepatitis B, Meningococcal and Human Papillomavirus vaccines that are offered FREE to grade 7 students in Chatham-Kent. Nurses from the Public Health Unit visit each school and provide these vaccinations. They are not free from a Health Care Provider. Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. There is no cure. The … Read More
Do you have a child enrolled in Daycare?
Did you know… Chatham-Kent Public Health is required by Ontario law to maintain immunization records for every child attending daycare and school. The Health Unit assesses immunization records to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date. This is done to protect your child in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. By law, these immunizations are mandatory: diphtheria, … Read More
Should I get the Shingles Vaccine?
Herpes Zoster (Zostavax) vaccine is the best way to protect you from getting shingles. The vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of getting shingles by 50%. Only 1 dose is needed for optimal protection for 4-7 years; there is no need for a booster at this time. Zostavax is FREE for those individuals age 65-70 years old. Please contact your … Read More
Planning a Winter Vacation? 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 required for your trip? … Read More
Rotavirus Protection For Your Baby
Rotavirus is a common virus that can cause watery diarrhea, fever and vomiting. It can be life threatening for infants and small children. Most children become affected by the virus at least once before the age of five. Ontario provides a free vaccine at age 2 and 4 months to prevent the virus. This vaccine is different from other vaccines … Read More
Are you Informed or Unaware? Safe or At risk?
For the world’s eighth biggest killer, viral hepatitis is remarkably neglected. Viral hepatitis kills 1.5 million people each year, that’s as many as HIV/AIDS. Viral hepatitis is also the leading cause of liver cancer, which is the second biggest cancer killer. Despite these statistics hepatitis largely remains ignored and does not receive the same level of awareness or political priority … Read More