Get your shots or get you out

As of Mar. 20, there were 2,907 students in the Waterloo Region who are in danger of being suspended from school on Mar. 29 because of incomplete vaccination records.

Waterloo Region Public Health is enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act, which requires students to be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (if born after 2010) and meningococcal disease.

“Enforcing the law ensures that children and our community are protected against vaccine preventable diseases,” said Karen Quigley-Hobbs, director of the infectious diseases, dental and sexual health division. “There is still time to act. Please respond as soon as possible to ensure we have your information and to avoid suspension.”

Students can be suspended for a period of up to 20 days, or until the proper documentation is provided to the regional Public Health office. Parents have until 4:30 p.m. on Mar. 28 to get their paperwork in.