Time to update your child’s vaccination records
Public health has or will suspend students whose records are not up to date
GUELPH – More than 500 students in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) catchment area have been suspended for not having up-to-date vaccination records, and another 454 could be suspended before the end of the week.
Public health units are required to keep vaccination records of students who attend school and every year staff send out notices to elementary and high school students whose records are not up to date.
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act students must provide proof of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) for those born in 2010 or later.
Parents can opt out but must register that decision with public health.
WDGPH communications specialist Kelvin McDermott stated in an email that on Feb. 4, suspension orders were issued to 955 high school students whose records were not up to date.
Of those, 374 students were suspended and 22 are still currently on the suspension list.
On Feb. 19, 734 suspension orders were issued to elementary students who do not attend an Upper Grand or Wellington Catholic district school boards. Of those, 209 were suspended and 24 remain on the suspension list.
McDermott said 922 suspension orders went out to elementary students in the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic school boards on March 11, and 454 students are still facing suspension.
Parents have until March 25 to update their child’s records.
All it takes to keep a child from suspension is to send updated records to WDGPH, get the shots or fill out an exemption notice for medical, religious or reasons of conscience.
For more information visit wdgpublichealth.ca.
