Local vaccine rates for students higher than provincial average

The Health Unit says vaccine coverage rates in the 2018/19 school year in the district were above the provincial average.
They say 97.2 percent of students born between 2001 and 2011 were fully vaccinated for their age for measles, mumps and rubella.
The figure is 93.3 percent for diphtheria, tetanus and polio.
Officials say immunization is widely recognized as one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century.
They say vaccines save lives, prevent the spread of diseases and reduce health care costs, with immunization programs an important foundation of Ontario’s health system.
“Based on research, we recommend vaccinating your child as the best way to protect them against vaccine preventable diseases,” says Andrea McLellan, Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program Manager.
Each year, Health Unit nurses provide students in grade 7 with access to publicly funded vaccines for Hepatitis B, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Meningococcal disease at school based clinics. Additionally, clinics are held at high schools to ensure access to vaccines required for attendance at school under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Grade 7 clinics are currently underway. For information on the school clinics, please visit the Health Unit’s website.
Individuals who are unsure about their or their child’s current vaccination status are encouraged to call the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 or check your information on line utilizing the Immunization Connect Ontario Tool which can be found at www.myhealthunit.ca/vaccinationrecords and following the links.

(photo by station staff)