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Media Release
March 6, 2023
Southwestern Public Health encourages parents to get their kids caught-up with routine childhood immunizations
High levels of participation in routine childhood vaccination keeps schools – and communities - safe and healthy for everyone.
Southwestern Public Health is urging parents and caregivers of school-aged children to make updated vaccines a priority over the coming months.
“We know that the past couple of years have been difficult for families. Competing priorities, service interruptions, and significant changes in routine have gotten some families off track with routine childhood immunization,” says Jaime Fletcher, Chief Nursing Officer and Manager of the vaccination program at Southwestern Public Health. “Last month, thousands of families were notified by personal letter about missing immunization records. Now is the time to act on those letters and get back on track.”
In some cases, letter recipients need to acquire their child’s up-to-date immunization record from their health care provider and submit it to the health unit online, or by dropping it off at one of the health units two main locations.
In other cases, the children are missing the required vaccines and need to book an appointment with their family health care provider or the health unit prior to the date indicated in the letter. Southwestern Public Health is offering clinics in six communities across the region over the March Break when kids are out of school and parents are often home from work.
“It’s easy to think that these illnesses are problems of the past. However, there are pockets across the world and in this age of international travel, cases can and do show up in Ontario. By ensuring your child’s vaccination status is up to date your protecting them from something that is at best uncomfortable, while keeping your school and community safe for everyone,” adds Fletcher.
In Ontario, there are nine required immunizations for children who attend school: diphtheria, measles, meningococcal disease, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, rubella, tetanus, varicella (chicken pox). Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act, children must be immunized in order to go to school in the province. If students are not immunized for personal or medical reasons, a legal immunization exemption is required.
The health unit’s goal is to support parents and caregivers through this time by answering questions, providing guidance and offering vaccination clinics throughout the March Break. “Don’t hesitate to call the health unit with your routine vaccine questions,” says Fletcher. “We want to take the stress out of this as much as possible and instead be your partner in keeping your child safe.”
Resources
- To book a vaccination appointment with Southwestern Public Health, www.swpublichealth.ca/booking
- To submit your child’s up-to-date vaccination record, www.swpublichealth.ca/vaccineswork
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About Southwestern Public Health
Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness, and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.
Contact for Interviews:
Megan Cornwell
Manager, Communications
mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca | 519-320-0819
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