After COVID-19 took up most of Algoma Public Health’s time over the past two years, the health unit is now focusing on ensuring the region’s elementary and secondary school students are immunized against other illnesses and diseases.
While the Windsor-Essex Health Unit suspended more than 1,500 secondary school students due to out-of-date immunization records, APH will be offering catch-up clinics for students in the Sault and area.
“Immunization programs across Algoma were greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of the upcoming school year is on catch-up and updating records in the wake of the pandemic and suspensions will be re-visited after adequate time to catch-up has occurred,” wrote Kristy Harper, Algoma Public Health school health manager in an email.
“Public health nurses will be in every school in Algoma this fall to ensure all Grade 7, 8 and 9 students are offered catch-up clinics for any student who may have missed their grade 7 vaccines during the pandemic. Parents and guardians should keep an eye out for these consent forms coming home with students this fall,” Harper wrote.
Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act states students must be immunized against:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella (year of birth 2010 and later)
- Meningococcal Disease
There are some exemptions granted for religious or medical reasons.
“We are pleased that APH will be back in all of our school communities, offering the routine school immunizations this year,” wrote Christine Durocher, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) superintendent of education in an email.
The Windsor-Essex Health Unit said it is holding clinics for routine immunizations and suspended students can go back to school once their records have been updated.
APH said families can go online to track, update and manage their vaccination records as well as report any immunizations their children have received.
Parents may also call APH at 705 942-4646 for more information.