As children head back to school, health officials are encouraging parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Free childhood immunizations are available for all infants and school-age children in Saskatchewan.
“Immunization is the most effective way to protect your children against vaccine-preventable diseases,” Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said. “It’s important to have your children vaccinated on time and on schedule. It provides them with the best protection against highly contagious and potentially serious diseases, such as measles or whooping cough.”
There has been a recent increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Saskatchewan. Publicly-funded routine vaccinations are easily available in Saskatchewan at public health clinics (for pre-school children) and through school-based programs (for school age students).
Infants and preschool-age children may receive the following free routine vaccinations:
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Polio
Haemophilus influenza type b
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella (chicken pox)
Meningococcal disease
Pneumococcal disease
Rotavirus
School-age children may receive the following free routine vaccinations:
Grade 6 students - hepatitis B, bacterial meningitis, varicella (chicken pox)
Grade 6 female students – human papillomavirus vaccine
Grade 8 students – tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) booster
All residents over six months of age may also receive a free influenza immunization to protect them during flu season. Public health flu clinics begin in late October.
For more information, call your public health office, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/immunize or call HealthLine 811.
