Joint Statement on Measles from Niagara, Ontario’s Regional Government and the Niagara Catholic School Board
(A Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – In a short phone interview with Niagara Region’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Valerie Jaeger, she stressed that everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated for measles, should be.
Dr. Jaeger also noted that she is awaiting information from provincial health officers on whether there is any link with the new cases in Niagara and a religious conference for youth, held in Toronto, in recent weeks
And let this publisher just finish it up with a message I have repeated posted. Anyone, who for screwball libertarian or right-wing religious reasons will not allow their children to receive a measles vaccine, should do the rest of the community a favour and keep their children out of our public schools, out of shopping malls and anywhere else where their children could potentially spread a disease that is potentially fatal.)
Niagara Region’s Head Health Officer, Dr. Valerie Jaeger
February 16th, 2015 - Niagara Catholic District School Board and Niagara Region Public Health can confirm individuals with measles have had contact within the school communities of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School and Saint Michael Catholic High School.
While both schools have a very high vaccination rate, Public Health continued to be in contact with the families of students over this past weekend who have not been adequately vaccinated.
According to the Immunization of School Pupils Act, students who have not completed the required immunization schedule for, in this case, measles, have been excluded from school until they meet the requirements to return. Both schools are working with families of excluded students to provide school work during the period of exclusion.
Niagara Catholic is committed to the health, wellness and safety of our 24,000 students and 3,000 staff. On the advice of, and in consultation and co-operation with Niagara Region’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Valerie Jaeger, Director of Education John Crocco has put several steps into place to keep Niagara Catholic parents and staff informed during this outbreak.
Public Health has provided two fact sheets for distribution – one for families of students in school, the other for staff in our schools – which answer questions about and provides information on vaccinations.
The letter to parents has been posted on the Board website, and links are being posted on each individual school websites, so parents received this information over the weekend. Copies of the letter will be sent home with students throughout the system on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.
The information to all staff was sent via e-mail on Sunday by the Director.
On Sunday, February 15, 2015, the Principals of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School and Saint Michael Catholic High School sent voicemail messages to all families in their school communities to inform them that an individual with a confirmed case of measles has been in the school community. They have advised parents/guardians to call Public Health if their child has not been adequately vaccinated or exhibits symptoms.
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