Parents Reminded To Make Sure Their Kids Vaccinations Are Updated

By Stew Kernan

With the new school year less than three weeks away, parents are being reminded to make sure their kids vaccinations are up to date.

NEO Kids at Health Sciences North and the Health Unit say kids in elementary and secondary grades must provide proof of vaccination, or a valid exemption, against nine diseases.

The Health Unit’s Lisa Schell says vaccine preventable diseases are rare but still around.

In the last couple of years across North America, there have been clusters of outbreaks of such easily preventable diseases as chickenpox and measles and in some cases, these diseases could lead to serious long-term health problems for children who are not vaccinated.

Schell says research has proven that vaccines are safe and are the most effective tool to prevent children from becoming sick and spreading diseases.