Nurses from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit are giving Grade 7 students in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka their second and final dose of hepatitis B vaccine this month.

The meningococcal C conjugate (men C) vaccine is also being offered at this time.

The men C vaccine protects against one type of meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, a swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord or serious blood infection.

Men C consent forms are sent home with the students from school and need to be returned to the classroom prior to the clinic date.

Meanwhile, health unit employees are clearing up the last of the paperwork from the spring immunization records review. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is required to keep upto date immunization records on every student in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Each year, those records are reviewed.

Notices are sent to parents whose children do not have up-to-date records or a valid exemption on file. Suspension orders can be issued if information is not received.

The health unit relies on parents to provide the health unit with dates for immunizations for their children, including boosters that are given after the child has registered for school. Health care providers do not provide the health unit with individual immunization dates.

This June the health unit is sending home postcards to parents of children in JK/SK to remind them to contact the health unit with the dates of their child's boosters.

For more information on immunization, the school program and to access consent forms for hep B and men C, click on www.simcoemuskokahealth. org.

If you have any questions please call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.