Officials at the Windsor Essex County Health Unit hope parents with kids in grade 7 and up will make getting their immunization records up to date a priority this summer.
About 13,000 secondary school students with incomplete immunization records got a notice from the health unit last month. So far, a thousand have either gotten their vaccinations or updated their records.
To help parents get their kids caught up, the health unit will hold catch-up clinics in the community throughout the summer. The clinics are from Monday to Friday. The schedule is on the health unit's webpage, and they can book appointments online or by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 4500.
Vaccines for Hepatitis B, HPV, and Meningococcal disease are available.
"We know the students' summer schedules fill up fast," said Manager of the Healthy Schools Program Stephanie McCallum. "This is one way students can plan their summer early, so they're not leaving this until the last minute, risking a possible school suspension."
Those whose children have had their shots but haven't updated their records can attend the clinics, contact their child's primary health care provider, or go to the health unit's website.
Secondary school students who haven't updated their records by the beginning of September face suspension for up to 20 days.