Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Please read this important information from Ottawa Public Health (OPH) to help keep your child(ren) healthy this winter.
Routine Childhood Vaccination
In Ontario, all children going to school need to be vaccinated against certain diseases. The vaccines are offered at no cost and are given to your child to protect them from many diseases.
Recent measles cases in Ottawa and the ongoing increase in measles activity in Canada and globally are reminders about the important role childhood vaccinations play in preventing disease. The measles vaccine, given at 12 months of age, and again between four and six years of age in Ontario, is close to 100% effective at helping prevent measles infection in children. It’s important that all your child’s vaccinations are up to date – including measles containing vaccines (MMR, MMR-V).
Visit ParentinginOttawa.ca/Immunization for more information on the routine vaccine schedule, where to get routine vaccines, and how to report them to OPH. If you have questions about your child’s immunization records, you can call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 to speak to a nurse. Our phone line is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon, and 1pm to 4 pm.
What Can You Do?
- Check your child’s vaccine record: compare the records you have with the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
- Report your child’s vaccine(s) to Ottawa Public Health (OPH): Reporting immunization information to OPH is the responsibility of the parent or caregiver. Health care providers do NOT report the vaccines they have provided to OPH. It is important to report your child’s immunization record to OPH. Parents and caregivers must also update OPH every time their child receives an immunization. It is possible your child is up to date on their vaccines, but OPH is not aware. Report your child’s vaccinations to OPH.
Fall Vaccines (flu and COVID-19) and Respiratory Illness Season
Colder weather means an increase in respiratory illnesses, like COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Getting the annual flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine, is the best way to protect yourself and your child from getting sick. Young children (those less than 5 years of age) are at higher risk for complications from the flu, so the flu vaccine is particularly important for young children and their caregivers.
Here Are Two Important Handouts to Help You in the Months Ahead:
- The “Where to Seek Care” handout, a partnership between OPH and CHEO, offers advice on caring for your child at home if they get sick, knowing what to do about symptoms and guidance on when and where to get help.
- The “About Respiratory Illness” handout will help you better understand how to protect your child and family against respiratory illness, how to reduce the spread, and what to do if you have symptoms.
Staying Home When Sick
Please ensure that your child stays home when they are sick. This will help limit the spread of respiratory illnesses within the school. Children who have been sick should only return to the school once their symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) for at least 24 hours (48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea), and they are able to actively participate in regular activities.
Where to Get Your Child Vaccinated
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines:
Both vaccines are widely available in Ottawa and offered at no cost. You can access these vaccines from:
- Local Pharmacies: Vaccine administration for children 2 to 4 years old may vary across pharmacies. Contact the pharmacy prior to booking.
- Your regular health care provider; and
- OPH community clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs for children aged 6 months to under 5 years of age and those facing significant barriers to access in the community, including newcomers without OHIP.
Routine Childhood Vaccines
You can access routine vaccines from your regular health care provider or a walk-in clinic.
If you don’t have access to a regular health care provider, or a walk-in clinic, Ottawa Public Health and the Kids Come First Health Team have made it easier to get routine vaccines through our Community Clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. For details, visit: ParentingInOttawa.ca/Immunization.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important information and taking the next steps to help protect you and your family this respiratory illness season. Staying up to date on routine vaccinations, getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall, and following important public health measures, like hand washing and staying home when sick, will help protect you, your family and others in our community.
For the most up-to-date information about respiratory illness, influenza (flu) vaccines, and COVID-19 vaccines, please visit our website: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus.
Dr. Trevor Arnason
Medical Officer of Health, Ottawa Public Health
