Students facing suspension over vaccine records

Notices being sent to affected families

Hundreds of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton students still don’t have up-to-date immunization records or exemptions and now face suspension.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has mailed first notices to parents of area students cautioning they will receive suspension notices in April if immunization information is not updated.

Roughly 3,600 junior and senior kindergarten students, as well as those in Grade 2 and 4 to 8, are overdue for required immunizations or do not have a valid exemption on file.

These are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and could result in suspension if not rectified as soon as possible. The health unit will begin sending out suspension orders on April 29 and they start to go into effect May 13.

“With March break fast approaching, it’s important to ensure children are up to date with all their vaccinations, particularly the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine,” emphasizes health protection division manager Marianne Rock.

“With recently identified cases of measles in Ontario, it is imperative that children receive the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required under the Immunization Act in Ontario, with doses administered at 12 to 15 months and four to six years. Adhering to the vaccination schedule ensures optimal protection for our communities.”

Parents and guardians are urged to act now to ensure their child’s immunization records are up to date to avoid any disruption to their education. This may require scheduling a vaccination appointment with their primary care provider or the health unit.

This proactive approach will help ensure that students remain compliant with school immunization requirements for the 2023-2024 school year.

To ensure children’s immunization records are current, parents and guardians are advised to take the following steps:

■ Check: Verify your child’s immunization record for any missing vaccines by visiting the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) website.

■ Vaccinate: Arrange for your child

to receive any missing vaccinations from a primary care provider or, if you do not have one, contact the health unit to schedule an appointment for vaccination or to obtain a valid exemption.

■ Update: Submit your child’s updated immunization record via Immunization Connect Ontario, by calling 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1507, by faxing 1-905-885-5352 or by emailing immunization@hkpr.on.ca. Email submission requires consent for the transmission of personal and/or health information.

Notwithstanding the requirements under the ISPA, immunization records may also be needed for such matters as medical treatment, children’s programs, post-secondary programs, volunteer or employment opportunities and travel to some countries.

For more information visit hkpr.on.ca.