By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Local teens who missed their routine Grade 7 immunizations are getting some extra help from Chatham-Kent Public Health.
The health unit is launching special clinics aimed at providing the Meningococcal, Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus shots.
The clinics start March 10 and will continue throughout the month.
Medical officer of health Dr. David Colby said the health unit, similar to all health-care providers, is now able to redirect resources to services that were put on the backburner during the pandemic.
“Now that the Omicron wave is coming under control, we are looking at things we can catch up on,” Colby said.
However, he stressed, the new immunization clinics are not related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are helping students who need routine shots who were unable to get them from their family doctors,” Colby explained.
On another note, Colby said many of the health unit preventative programs were able to keep going, such as restaurant inspections, sexually transmitted disease clinics, and ongoing water supply monitoring.
Students attending the catch-up clinics can do so at the former YA building at 730 Richmond St. in Chatham.
A parent must accompany all teens, and appointments must be pre-booked online at www.GetYourShotCK.ca or by calling 519-351-1010.
