School-based vaccination clinics to be offered to students in Classes 9 and 10 at Simco Muskoka secondary schools | Health

School-based vaccination clinics to be offered to students in Classes 9 and 10 at Simco Muskoka secondary schools | Health

School-based vaccination clinics will be available to students in Classes 9 and 10 at Simco Muskoka secondary schools!

Health unit offering catch-up clinics for routine immunization.

Starting April 2022, the Simco Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), in partnership with local school boards, will conduct a school-based catch-up for routine vaccination for Hepatitis B, Meningococcal Conjugate (Men-C-ACYW) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). 

This publicly funded, routine vaccination program is typically offered to students in grade 7;  However, pandemic-related disruptions have delayed the offering of these annual school-based clinics and could result in students falling behind in their routine and required vaccinations.

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School-based vaccination clinics will be offered to students in grades 9 and 10 at Simcoe Muskoka secondary schools and to grade 8 students in some elementary schools at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.  Parents and guardians will receive information about upcoming catch-up clinics from their child's school.

The Health Unit recommends getting vaccinated according to the publicly funded vaccination program for Ontario.  Having up-to-date vaccinations helps ensure that children and teens get the best protection against some preventable diseases and helps reduce the risk of outbreaks at school.

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Meningococcal disease is a mandatory vaccination under the School Pupils Vaccination Act, while the hepatitis B and HPV vaccines are strongly recommended.

For more information about grade 7 vaccines and the diseases they cause, please click here.  You can also speak to a public health professional by calling Health Connection, 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Source: Collingwood Today, Direct News 99