CK Public Health is making it easier for local parents and guardians to get their student’s immunizations up to date and reported.
The health unit is required to assess the immunization records of all Chatham-Kent students to make sure they are following provincial immunization guidelines.
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), 1990, Section 3 Subsection 1, states that all students attending school in Ontario must complete the prescribed program of immunization, unless they have a medical or philosophical exemption on file.
As of Monday, there were more than 2,800 elementary students and 1,500 secondary students overdue across Chatham-Kent.
Any students who do not have updated immunizations or have not submitted an exemption will receive a suspension order from CK Public Health.
Immunization information needs to be updated before March 7 to avoid suspension.
Families should contact their health-care provider to get their outstanding immunizations and report this information to CK Public Health as soon as possible. Those in need of meningococcal vaccine can call CK Public Health.
“We do have a number of local students who are not up to date or maybe who are up to date, but their parents haven’t yet reported their immunizations”, Carina Caryn, CK Public Health Program manager, said in a media release. “If you require an appointment with us, please call us soon as spaces are filling up quickly.”
CK Public Health is hosting clinics throughout the month of February and early March.
The front room at the WISH Centre has clinics from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 7, 14, 22, 27 and 28, as well as March 1-3 and 6.
The Clinic Services area, also at the same address, 177 King St. E., hosts clinics from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, 16 and 23.
Appointments can be booked by calling 519-352-7270, ext. 2457
Those looking to report their child’s immunizations can do so online through www.CKPublicHealth.com/vaccinations, over the phone at 519-352-7270, ext. 2457, or by fax to 519-436-3214.
For more information, visit www.CKPublicHealth.com/SchoolShots.
