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
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.