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Back to SearchA reminder to keep up-to-date with children’s immunizations
Ottawa — September 17, 2020 — Today, Ottawa Public Health and CHEO declared an end to the chickenpox outbreak which was limited to 4 East, an inpatient pediatric medicine unit at CHEO.
“This small outbreak was a clear reminder for everyone to ensure their children’s vaccinations are up-to-date,” said Dr. Nisha Thampi, a pediatric infectious diseases physician and the medical director of the Infection Protection and Control Program at CHEO.
This chickenpox outbreak was declared August 7, 2020. A child developed a rash after admission to the hospital that was diagnosed with chickenpox, which the child had acquired in the community. Two other children admitted to the same unit were subsequently infected. All safety precautions were in place. The cases were contained and the risk of transmission was extremely low throughout the outbreak.
The best way to protect yourself and your family from chickenpox is by receiving the chickenpox vaccine. Varicella vaccine is recommended for healthy children ages 12 months to 12 years of age. It is included in the routine immunization schedule and is given to children at 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age. If your child did not receive the chickenpox vaccine and they have not had chickenpox before, please discuss with your health-care provider. If you are unsure of your immunization status, contact your health-care provider. Ottawa Public Health
Please vaccinate your child for all preventable childhood infectious diseases.
For more information about chickenpox.
For more information about vaccinations for babies and toddlers (0 – 3), children (4 – 11), and youth (12 – 18).
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Paddy Moore, CHEO
o. 613-737-7600, ext. 3536 | c. 613-769-5553 | pmoore@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Dedicated to the best life for every child and youth, CHEO is a global leader in pediatric health care and research. Based in Ottawa, CHEO includes a hospital, children’s treatment centre, school and research institute, with satellite services located throughout Eastern Ontario. CHEO provides excellence in complex pediatric care, research and education. We are committed to partnering with families and the community to provide exceptional care — where, when and how it’s needed. CHEO is a founding member of Kids Health Alliance, a network of partners working to create a high quality, standardized and coordinated approach to pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Every year, CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.