Public Health & Immunizations

The Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) is committed to the Health, Safety, and Wellness of all its students and staff. We work closely with the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) on a variety of topics, including infection prevention, communicable diseases and immunizations, to ensure staff, student, and community safety. Please visit the Durham Region Health Department Infection Prevention webpage to learn more.

Infection Prevention and Control measures are used to ensure the protection of our school communities against infections. The following universal precautions should be used by all members of the board and can help stop the spread of infection:

• Keep hands clean – handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent infection. Children should be cleaning their hands often with soap and water and should avoid touching their face. Wash Your hands:
  
  • Before you eat
  • After you use the washroom
  • After you touch an animal
  • When they look dirty
• Cover your cough or sneeze: children should cough or sneeze into a tissue or their sleeve and discard used tissues. When you cough or sneeze:
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough or sneeze into your upper arm or elbow
  • Put your used tissue in the waste basket 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to clean your hands
    
• Don’t share personal objects: remind your child that some things are not meant for sharing. Items such as water bottles, eating utensils & straws or anything that has been in contact with saliva, nose or throat secretions should not be shared. 
• Keeping common surfaces clean
  
  • Regular cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched objects and surfaces helps remove germs. Our schools are regularly cleaned and increased cleaning/disinfecting occurs when someone is ill.
• Stay home when sick: Children and staff should stay home when they are sick or feeling unwell or as directed by a licensed health practitioner.
• Keep up to date with immunizations
  
  • Some diseases are best prevented by vaccination. You can find more information on child immunization and school clinics on the Durham Region Health Department page.
• Practice a healthy lifestyle: 
  • Help your child eat health, get enough sleep and stay active throughout the day

To learn more about a specific disease, please refer to the Facts About page on DRHD website.