SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Beginning April 7, immunization nurses from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) will be returning to local schools to finish the series of routine immunizations for Grade 7 students and offer catch-up opportunities to students in Grade 8 who missed completing their Grade 7 vaccine series.
SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Beginning April 7, immunization nurses from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) will be returning to local schools to finish the series of routine immunizations for Grade 7 students and offer catch-up opportunities to students in Grade 8 who missed completing their Grade 7 vaccine series.
Immunization remains one of the best tools we have available to protect youth against harmful diseases before they may encounter them. The vaccines offered during the school-based clinics significantly reduce the risk of hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
The health unit recommends following Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule to stay up to date with vaccinations. Parents and caregivers should be aware that the meningococcal vaccine is required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). In keeping with Ontario’s ISPA requirements, all children and youth in elementary and secondary schools must be immunized against specific diseases unless they have a valid exemption.
While the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines aren’t mandatory under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), they’re highly recommended to help keep students healthy. The HPV vaccine, in particular, offers strong protection against the risk of several cancers such as cervical and throat cancer and it also prevents genital warts. More information about the HPV vaccine and its benefits can be found in this video from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit.
Having up-to-date immunizations helps ensure that students have the best protection against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, reduces the risk of outbreaks in schools and allows the health unit to act quickly to prevent and control outbreaks.
As your local public health unit, our goal is to support the health and safety of youth in our community. We encourage parents to visit smdhu.org/Grade7 or speak with a health unit nurse by calling our Immunization program at 705-721-7520 ext. 8827 if they have questions or would like to learn more. This is also where you can find the date the health unit will visit your child’s school, along with information about the Grade 7 vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
