Health unit to offer immunization clinics in Simcoe Muskoka schools

news release
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
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SIMCOE MUSKOKA – To help students catch up on routine and necessary immunizations that have been missed during the pandemic, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has partnered with the local school board to bring Simcoe Muskoka Secondary School offers school-based immunization clinics in February and March.

In early January, the Department of Health mailed letters to families of students with incomplete immunization records notifying them of the missing information. If through a health unit clinic, parents and caregivers are encouraged to: Update your child’s vaccination record online.

At school-based catch-up clinics, health unit nurses provide:

• Required Vaccines (Tdap Booster, Men-C-ACYW (Meningitis – provided in Grade 7) and/or Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) if 14-16 years old if not vaccinated)
• If you miss a second dose of chickenpox (chickenpox vaccine) (not required)
• Hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are offered in Grade 7 if missed.

These clinics do not offer COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

The health department recommends getting vaccinated Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule For Ontario. Up-to-date immunizations give young people the best protection against certain vaccine-preventable diseases and help reduce the risk of outbreaks in schools.

Immunizations against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and meningococcal disease are mandatory under the School Pupil Immunization Act, and hepatitis B and HPV. Vaccines are highly recommended.

For more information on routine and compulsory vaccines for students and the diseases they prevent, please visit: smdhu.org/Grade9to12You can also call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak with a public health expert. You can also

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