Don't Forget About Your Child's Booster Shots

Monday, 19 August 2019 at 11:34

Parents are being reminded to make sure your kids are up to date on immunizations before school starts.

PERTH COUNTY - The Perth District Health Unit is reminding parents of children starting school this fall that their child is due for their next routine immunizations.

Between 4 and 6 years of age, children should receive vaccines that protect against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV), and measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox (MMRV). Parents of children between the ages of 4 and 6 can make an appointment with their health care provider for these vaccines. Public Health Nurse Jennifer Beaver says these shots are very important.

"Immunization is one of the best ways to protect you and your children from infectious diseases. All children attending school between the ages of four to 17 years need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule."

Beaver is also reminding parents to let the Health Unit know when their child has received an immunization so we can update their child’s immunization records. The Perth District Health Unit maintains immunization records for every student who attends day care and school in the county.

People can report immunizations to the Health Unit by:

- Email: Scan or take a picture of the immunization record and email it to immunization@pdhu.on.ca (if you do not receive an auto response that we received the email, please call the Health Unit).

- Confidential fax: Ask the doctor’s office to fax a copy to the Health Unit or fax a copy yourself to 519-271-2785.

- In person: Bring the child’s yellow card to the Health Unit at 653 West Gore Street, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 1L4; Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

- Phone: Leave the information on a voice mail (24 hours, seven days a week). Call 519-271-7600 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 extension 555.

To report an immunization, parents will need to provide the:

- Child’s full name, address, and date of birth

- Parent or legal guardian’s name

- Date the child was immunized

- Vaccine the child received.