SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is offering drop-in immunization clinics at its offices from Sept. 21 to 25 to help Grade 11 and 12 students complete their immunization records and avoid school suspensions.

Students will be served 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.

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. The health unit will enforce suspension orders on Sept. 22.

In May, the health unit mailed reminder notices to more than 5,600 students. As of today, approximately 800 students remain eligible for suspension. Throughout the summer, nurses worked with families to arrange missing vaccinations and update immunization records. During the week of Sept. 14, immunization nurses visited all area high schools to provide vaccinations and help students update their immunization records.

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.