Sudbury newcomers face vaccine barriers as kids risk school expulsion

Newcomers and those without family doctors are having a difficult time accessing routine vaccines in Sudbury, according to the local Francophone health centre. 

Northern Ontario health units regularly send letters to inform families if their children's vaccinations are not up to date, and warn of potential school expulsion.

Denis Constantineau, the CEO of Le Centre de Santé Communautaire du Grand Sudbury, says many newcomers don't have access to a family doctor and his group has been struggling to assist them.

"Students are going to be expelled," said Constantineau.

"We already know of one case where a student has been expelled because he's missing one vaccine. And he's on a wait list now to receive the vaccine in two months. These parents are going to have to stay home with their kids, that's the bottom line."

Constantineau said last week one of the centre's client navigators spent a day with three families going from one walk-in clinic to another, trying to get vaccines.

"In the three clinics they went to, one clinic flat out refused, saying it's public health's mandate. And between the other two clinics, not all the vaccines were available. So they got some but not all the vaccines they needed," he said.

Sudbury health unit under pressure

Public Health Sudbury and Districts said it's experiencing pressures in getting people caught up with vaccinations due to students not getting routine shots during the pandemic and the current measles outbreak in southern Ontario.

The demand for health care has surged in the wake of the pandemic, yet the availability of doctors and nurse practitioners and other essential services has not kept pace, according to Sudbury public health nurse Nikki Lalonde.

"We are aware that there is difficulty to obtain immunizations in a timely manner, and we are trying to work with our community partners to provide and distribute vaccines to ensure that we are able to better service the community as a whole," she said. 

Lalonde stressed the urgent need for vaccination and advised those with health cards to contact healthcare providers or check walk-in clinics, pharmacies, and travel clinics for vaccines. For work-related vaccinations, occupational health departments may be helpful.

Routine student immunizations are available through school-based clinics or primary healthcare providers. Students requiring catch-up vaccinations and lacking a family physician can contact their health unit directly.

Lalonde said public health is currently prioritizing students who are not fully vaccinated so they can return to school.