5,600 elementary students face vaccination suspensions

WATERLOO REGION — Just over 5,600 elementary school students in Waterloo Region do not have up-to-date immunization records and face suspension at the end of the month.

Public health sent 10,306 notices last fall to parents of children with incomplete vaccine records.

More than half are still outstanding, prompting public health to send out the suspension orders this week.

Parents have until March 27 to provide proof of immunization or a valid exemption to public health, or their children will be suspended from school for up to 20 days.

Region of Waterloo Public Health is required to collect, review and maintain immunization records of all students attending school in Waterloo Region to prevent illnesses in the event of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.

“Enforcing the law ensures children and our community are protected against vaccine preventable diseases,” David Aoki, manager of vaccine-preventable disease, said in a release.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires students to be immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox (for those born after 2010) and meningococcal disease.

Exemptions based on medical or conscience/religious reasons are allowed with appropriate legal documentation. Parents requesting an exemption based on conscience/religious reasons must first complete an education session at public health, according to a legislation change in 2017.

Parents can contact their family doctor to obtain immunization records or immunizations. For those without a doctor, public health offers immunization clinics in its Waterloo and Cambridge offices.

For more information, contact the region’s vaccine information line at 519-575-4400, ext. 5003.