Urge your clients to arm their kids for kindergarten

Immunization clinics are starting this month for kids entering kindergarten in the fall. Kids at age four, who are starting kindergarten, should get vaccinated now, before school starts in September.

The free immunizations protect against:

• Polio
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Whooping cough
• Chicken pox
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella

As we saw with the measles alert in March for YVR passengers, these diseases are highly infectious and can spread quickly among those who aren’t vaccinated. If you have clients who are parents, or clients who are entering kindergarten, please remind them to get immunized this summer.

Where can kids get immunized?

Vaccines can be obtained for free from family doctors or from public health nurses at VCH community health centres. Visit VCH.ca for kindergarten immunization times. To learn more about immunizations download the PDF booklet Immunization: An important choice you make for your child.

Protect your child & everyone else

Parents are asked to submit their children’s immunization record before their child begins attending school. If someone at school contracts a vaccine-preventable infectious disease, children who are not immunized may have to stay home until it is safe to return. By ensuring your child is immunized, not only are you protecting their health but those in the community as well.