Over the next two weeks Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will be sending notices to parents of students whose immunization information is incomplete.
HPEPH Program Manager Bill Sherlock said if this information is not updated through Public Health, school suspension notices may be issued. He added vaccines are very important to ensure all students in school are as healthy and safe as possible.
Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that parents of children attending school provide public health with proof of their child’s immunization against the following diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), meningococcal disease, and varicella (chickenpox – for children born in 2010 or later). Students may be exempted from vaccinations for medical reasons and issues of conscience or religious belief.
“We recognize that parents are very busy and may forget about certain vaccines or the vaccines are not reported to Public Health once completed. This often occurs with the 4-6 year old needles and the 14-16 year old boosters,” said Sherlock. “Parents sometimes believe family doctors send Public Health vaccine updates, which is not the case. It is the responsibility of parents to communicate any updates to Public Health so each child’s information can be updated.”
Immunization information can be updated in one of the following ways: parents can call Public Health at 613-966-5500 ext. 221, updated records can be faxed to 613-966-8145, or parents can take a photo of the updated record and email it along with the child’s name, date of birth and health card number to CDCIMM@hpeph.ca.
