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?
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?
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
Tara’s Story
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
Preparing your Student for Clinic Day
Your child may be feeling anxious about getting needles at school. The Public Health Nurses work to minimize the time the students are within the 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 the clinic day: … Read More
Upcoming Grade 7 School Immunization Clinic Dates
Our vaccination clinics for Grade 7 students will continue at local schools in April and May to protect against Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Disease and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). These vaccines are only available free of charge from Chatham-Kent Public Health; they are not available from your doctor. Only those students with signed and completed consent forms can receive these shots. If … Read More
How can I reduce the pain of vaccinations for my baby or child?
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
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
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
Concerned about Shingles? Free vaccine available!
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?
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.