SIMCOE MUSKOKA – As the new school year begins, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is helping Grade 11 and 12 students complete their immunization records and avoid school suspensions. Immunization clinics will be offered at area high schools beginning Sept. 10. Appointments are also available at health unit offices, and all clinic dates are available at smdhu.org.

Under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), health units must maintain immunization records for students and enforce suspensions when required information is missing. In May, the health unit mailed reminder notices to more than 5,600 students.

Throughout the summer, nurses worked with families to arrange missing vaccines, update immunization records and ensure any required medical exemption or statement of conscience or religious belief affidavit is on file.

Students attending a school clinic should bring a record of their immunization dates. Public health nurses will review records, confirm whether immunizations are up to date and provide any missing vaccines.

Students who received vaccines from a health-care provider, but whose records have not been updated with the health unit should bring their yellow immunization card to the clinic. Health unit staff can update records and help obtain missing immunization records.

Immunization appointments are also available at health unit offices and can be booked at smdhu.org/ImmsOnline. The health unit will also offer drop-in clinics at its offices from Sept. 21 to 25. Students will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations and times:

• Barrie (15 Sperling Dr.), Collingwood, Cookstown, Midland and Orillia: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Gravenhurst: Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Huntsville: Thursday: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Immunization records are automatically updated for students who receive vaccines at a school or health unit clinic. Students who receive vaccines from a health-care provider must report them to the health unit through smdhu.org/ImmsOnline or by calling 705-721-7520, ext. 8827, or toll-free at 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information about routine and required vaccines for students and the diseases they prevent, visit smdhu.org.