Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) officials are warning that students who are not fully immunized and/or do not have those immunizations on record with the health unit, may be suspended.
“Being up to date with immunizations and making sure public health knows about your vaccines is an important part of being a responsible member of the community,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO of WDGPH.
“We need to know who is safe and who needs protection in the event of a disease outbreak. This is about protecting yourself, your friends, your school and the community.”
In February, 17-year-old students in Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph who do not have their immunizations up to date and on record with public health, will receive a letter informing them of vaccines that are overdue according to public health records.
Public health officials stated in a press release that they will be working closely with school principals and students to make sure everyone is fully immunized so they can stay in school. Students who do not have up-to-date immunizations are welcome to attend a public health clinic or they can follow up with their family doctor.
By March 7, all immunizations must be on record with public health in order to stay in school, officials say.
Letters will be addressed to the student as 17-year-olds are responsible for their own health records. In the coming months WDGPH will be sending letters to the parents of all students under 17 detailing what vaccines they need to get and report to public health.
For more information and to report immunizations to public health, visit www.immunizewdg.ca. Any student who is not being immunized, for medical or other reasons, needs to complete an exemption form and submit it to public health.
The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires students in Ontario to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease and pertussis (whooping cough). Students born after Jan. 1, 2010 also need to be vaccinated for varicella (chicken pox).
Students who are not fully immunized should get the missing vaccines from their family doctor and report them to public health.
