Ontario is reminding parents to make sure kids are vaccinated before the school year begins. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, says the more kids that are vaccinated, the lower the chance of a dangerous outbreak.
He says around 85 per cent of kids in Ontario are vaccinated now, but the number should be closer to 90 per cent. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit says it generally falls within the provincial average.
Williams says kids will be sent home if the records aren’t current.
He says choosing to not vaccinate your kids means putting them at risk, and recommends talking to a medical professional.
Williams says Ontario’s immunization program protects against 16 contagious diseases, including measles, mumps and whooping cough.
He says an illness outbreak could be tragic for those not vaccinated.
More information on local immunization clinics are on the health unit website.