Monday, April 20, 2015
“Need a Boost? The Health Unit can help update your immunizations”
Changes to immunization schedules and recommendations can make it confusing to know whether or not someone is fully immunized. The Leeds, Grenville and District Health Unit can help with some common concerns.
Recent measles outbreaks have people asking if they need to be immunized. Children in Ontario are generally immunized for measles at 12 months and again between the ages of four and six. People born in 1970 or later, who haven’t had measles, should receive two doses. Individuals born before 1970 can be immunized, but in most cases it is not necessary due to natural immunity from having had measles. www.ontario.ca/health-and-wellness/about-measles.
Children attending primary and secondary school in Ontario must have either proof of immunization or exemptions against the following diseases:
Diphtheria; tetanus; polio; measles; mumps; rubella- NEW requirement for 2014/15 school year:
- meningococcal disease -- on or after 1 yr. of age & again in grade 7
- pertussis (whooping cough)
- varicella (chicken pox) – for children born 2010 or later
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/immunization/school_age.aspx#6
Please advise the local health unit whenever a child receives immunizations. When there is a disease outbreak at a school, health unit immunization records are referred to so unimmunized students can be removed from school until the outbreak is over.
Along with routine immunizations, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit provides travel consultations as well as hepatitis A and B, and typhoid vaccine on site. There is a cost for these vaccines. www.healthunit.org/immunization
Once immunized, everyone should keep a copy of their immunization record. To help with this, an App is now available from Immunize Canada. The App allows people to record their immunizations, and receive information about immunization schedules and vaccines.
www.immunize.ca/en/app.aspx
Don’t hesitate, get up-to-date.
For more information, go to: www.healthunit.org; call 1-800-660-5853; email contact@healthunit.org You can get more information about immunizations on Facebook and Twitter (LGLHealthunit). Please do not send personal health information by social media.
Contact: Margaret Hendriks, Manager of Community Heath Protection, 613-345-5685
or Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator, 613-802-0550.
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