Youth and family clinics

We are writing to you to highlight the important COVID-19 vaccination clinics specially organized for your youth aged 12 and up at time of immunization and family members. As the Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts and as the area Directors of Education, we are very excited to know that youth and families in our school communities will soon be protected against COVID-19.

The special vaccination clinics are being organized over three weeks beginning the week of June 7 and are part of the provincial government’s plan to ensure all youth aged 12 and up at time of immunization receive two doses of COVID- 19 vaccine before the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. These clinics are made possible through the collaboration of Public Health, area School Boards, First Nation communities and urban Indigenous partners.

The vaccine is critical to protecting youth and our communities from COVID- 19. We know that youth can get infected and spread the virus to others, even if they don’t show symptoms. The vaccine is very effective in preventing illness from COVID-19 and keeping our communities safe and healthy. We strongly endorse and encourage participation in the vaccination program.

Throughout the City of Greater Sudbury and districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin, we are planning for youth clinics regardless of whether students are learning remotely or in-person. More details about accessing clinics will be shared shortly, however, there will be daytime clinics and evening clinics. Daytime school clinics will be organized through school-based appointment blocks or through booking into local mass clinics. School-based appointment blocks will have an opportunity for free bus transportation to and from clinics. More details to come on this free daytime transportation. The evening clinics are for youth and families who cannot attend during the day. Bookings at mass immunization clinics will require individuals to arrange their own transportation.

Resources and additional details will be shared soon through the School Boards. The information will be important to review answer questions about the vaccine prior to your appointment. Details about clinic participation and consent will also be available through your youth’s school shortly.

Our collective efforts to combat COVID-19 and return to in-person education is top priority. Public Health and local School Boards are working together to ensure access to the COVID-19 vaccine and return to an in-person school environment in which youth can grow, learn, and thrive.

We appreciate your ongoing commitment and will continue to dedicate our efforts to the health and well-being of youth in all our school communities.

Sincerely,

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Joanne Bénard
Director of Education, Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Norm Blaseg
Director of Education, Rainbow District School Board

Marc Gauthier
Director of Education, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario

Paul Henry
Director of Education, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon