More than 100 students remain in suspension over vaccination records

The local health unit continues to suspend 102 elementary school students over incomplete immunization records.

Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act mandates health units to oversee and evaluate immunization records for all students, enforcing school suspensions for those with incomplete documents.

In the fall, the health unit reviewed the immunization records for all elementary school students in Windsor and Essex County and found that 98 per cent were in compliance with the act.

However, 860 students — almost two per cent — had incomplete records. As a result, they were “excluded from school” for up to 20 days, or until they complied with the immunization acts requirements.

Since the beginning on March, the number of students with incomplete records has whittled down to 102. They are being asked to submit missing immunization records or a valid exemption to the health unit.

The health unit issued a warning earlier this year to students and parents about pending suspensions.

In order to receive missing vaccines or obtain a medical exemptions, parents and guardians can schedule an appointment for their child with their health care provider.

They can also attend a walk-in immunization clinic at the health unit's Windsor (1005 Ouellette Ave.) or Leamington (33 Princess St.) locations.

Parents and guardians can update their child's missing records online at immune.wechu.org or have them faxed by a health care provider. Records can also be dropped off in-person at the WECHU office.