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
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
Is Your Child Protected?
We have recently mailed out over 1500 immunization letters for elementary and secondary children either in need of a vaccine or needing to report their shots. There are 2 reasons to choose vaccination: To protect our children and ourselves- even if we think our chances of getting any disease is small; they do still exist and can infect anyone who … 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
Taking a Trip? Don’t Forget Your Travel Shots!
While travelling, you may be at risk for a number of exotic illnesses that can be prevented by vaccination. As you age, your vaccine-acquired protection against many illnesses may decrease, and your risk of getting certain diseases may increase. Some countries may also require you to provide proof of certain vaccinations to cross their borders. Make sure you’ve read up … Read More
Where Can I Get My Flu Shot?
Getting your yearly flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting influenza. The vaccine arrived for public use in Chatham-Kent in October. Certain people are at a greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. Examples are older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions like asthma, diabetes or … Read More
School Immunization Clinic Dates — Fall 2018
Public Health vaccination clinics for Grade 7 students are set to begin at local Chatham-Kent elementary schools again this fall to protect against: Hepatitis B Meningococcal Disease 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 … Read More
After Immunization…in case you didn’t know
Side effects of immunization are mostly mild, such as a sore arm or mild fever for a day. But there is no way to absolutely predict how a person may react to a shot. If a more serious reaction or adverse event is suspected, you should report it to your healthcare provider or Public Health Unit — wherever the vaccine was given. … Read More
Do you have a child enrolled in a childcare centre?
Chatham-Kent Public Health is required by law in Ontario to maintain immunization records for every child attending a licensed childcare centre. 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. Many parents think their healthcare … Read More
What is Pertussis and how can I prevent it?
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