PAGE 2 - WEYBURN THIS WEEK
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Getting organized for the first day of school One of the entrances of Assiniboia Park Elementary School is filled with students and their families, as students return back to school on September 1. The first day of school was a busy one for teachers, staff and students in Weyburn Photo 11547 — Sabrina Kraft and area.
Parents encouraged to vaccinate their children
Now that children have returned 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 pro-
Sears Weyburn
134 Government Rd. N. Weyburn, SK
(306) 842-2681
tect your children against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr. Saqib Shahab, the Chief Medical Health Officer for the province. “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 the province. 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 preschoolage 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; and 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; and Grade 8 students — tetanus, diphtheria, and the 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 on free childhood immunizations, call the Sun Country Health Region public health office, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/ immunize or call HealthLine 811.