Northern health units remind parents to submit vaccine records
Health units in Northern Ontario are reminding parents to keep their children’s immunization records up to date.
Algoma Public Health and Public Health Sudbury & Districts said they sent out thousands of letters to that effect.
"We are working right now to go through the Immunization of School Pupils Act and have sent 4,000 letters out to families as a reminder to submit their records to Algoma Public Health," said Kristy Harper, director of health protection for Algoma Public Health.
Brenda Stankiewicz, a public health nurse with Public Health Sudbury & Districts said lack of access to primary health care could be one reason for lagging vaccine records.
"People weren’t able to see their health care providers," Stankiewicz said, adding that some parents could have simply forgotten to submit their child’s records.
Up-to-date immunizations for students are required with some exceptions to avoid suspension from school.
"There may also be some of us who don’t have the connections of the stories and the experiences of what it would have been like prior to having vaccines," said Harper.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"Certainly, vaccines are something that can speak for themselves, the safety and efficacy; they’ve been around for decades."
"Without the experience of the illness, it’s hard to really imagine just how serious the illness is," said Stankiewicz.
As measles cases are popping up in other parts of the province, Algoma Public Health reports more than 98 per cent vaccine coverage for measles, while Public Health Sudbury shows 95 per cent coverage.
However, these numbers are pre-pandemic and may not reflect current vaccination rates.
Algoma Public Health reports more than 98 per cent vaccine coverage for measles, while Public Health Sudbury shows 95 per cent coverage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.