Important Information About Measles
- Camp Kintail
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Dear Friends,
At Camp Kintail, the camper’s health and safety are our top priority. We encourage all our campers, staff, and guests to be vaccinated to protect against preventable diseases in order to keep everyone safe. Each summer we have campers, guests, and staff members who are immunocompromised, and we work to keep camp safe and accessible for all.
Ontario is currently experiencing a sharp increase in the number of measles cases, largely in unvaccinated populations, throughout the region where Kintail campers are drawn from. More information about measles can be found here. This means that there is a possibility that Camp Kintail will have a measles case or contact on-site this season. Due to the highly contagious nature of measles, this will mean that any camper at Kintail will be considered to have been exposed to measles if this occurs.
The best protection against measles is vaccination. For children and adults born after 1970, this means receiving two doses of measles-containing vaccine (i.e. MMR vaccine).
If a measles case or contact is determined to be at Camp Kintail, then Camp Kintail defers to the policies and procedures of the Huron Perth Public Health Unit. It is possible that additional requirements may be put in place before or during the summer, depending on the advice of the Ministry of Health or Huron Perth Public Health.
Upon notification that a measles case attended camp while infectious, camp will be expected to quickly provide immunization status documentation to Huron Perth Public Health. Our staff have been required to submit proof of their vaccination status to Camp Kintail. We are not requiring campers to provide proof of vaccination, but the health unit will require this in order for a camper to remain on site and part of the program if there is a case.
If a case of measles is reported at camp and campers are:
• Vaccinated (2 doses) and provide proof of vaccinated (listed below) - no action is needed. Individuals are considered immune.
• Unvaccinated, or unable to provide valid vaccination records (listed below) – must isolate for 21 days from exposure. This means that campers will be sent home.
In the event Huron Perth Public Health needs to review vaccination records, they will have the final authority on the timeline for requested records and on their validity. Valid proof of vaccination include:
• A picture of Ontario’s Yellow Immunization Record;
• An immunization record provided by a physician or public health unit;
• Exemption documentation. Campers with an exemption will be treated as unvaccinated in the case of an outbreak.
If it is necessary for caregivers to provide proof of vaccination, we will work with the Health Unit to find a quick and easy method to share records. If a caregiver wishes to provide proof of vaccination at registration, we would be glad to receive that on opening day. If a caregiver would like to upload vaccination records before camp, they can uploaded to your family’s account on CampBrain (Camp Kintail registration).
If a camper must be sent home, due to a lack of records or an unvaccinated status, unless there is a proof of exemption documentation, refunds will not be provided. It is up to each family to have a plan on how to bring their camper home mid-week if there is a measles case.
Before attending camp, please screen your child for any symptoms of measles and postpone drop-off until there are no symptoms. If your child has been instructed to isolate due to contact with a measles case by public health, please let us know so we can re-schedule a week of camp later in the season if possible. If a child misses their week of camp due to symptoms or a pre-camp contact with measles, then a full refund will be provided. If you prefer to cancel your registration, then a full refund will be provided if cancellation occurs by July 2nd.
Please join with Camp Kintail in keeping our campers safe and having fun. Any questions can be directed to myself.
Theresa McDonald-Lee
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