Back to the regular shots

It’s back to the regular vaccine shots for children in the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge school system.

The immunization needles given during the regular school year under provincial regulations had been postponed in March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All students between the ages of 4 and 17 must be vaccinated according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule, which includes vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox) and meningococcal disease.

Manager of Health Protection with the HKPR District Health Unit, Matianne Rock says, “We appreciate and thank those parents who have already taken steps to update their child’s immunization records or ensured a valid exemption is on file with the Health Unit. We are here to support families by ensuring children receive the required vaccinations and immunization records are kept up to date to ensure the schools remain a safe space for all children.”

Members of the public can contact the heath unit to get any updates or valid exemption.

How to Ensure Your Child’s Immunization Records are Updated
Parents and/or guardians need to ensure their child’s immunization records are up to date by:

1. CHECK: Check your child’s immunization record for any missing vaccines.
   Go to the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) web site

 

1. VACCINATE: Ensure your child receives any missing vaccinations.
   Contact your health care provider or the Health Unit to get any missing vaccines or a valid exemption.
2. UPDATE: Update your child’s immunization record with the Health Unit.
   It is the responsibility of parents and/or guardians to provide proof of immunization or a valid exemption to the Health Unit by one of the following methods:
   • Online using the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) web site
   • Phone 1-866-888-4577 x 1507
   • Fax 905-885-5352
   • Email*: immunization@hkpr.on.ca
     *requires consent to be used to send personal and/or personal health information

The HKPR District Health Unit will be issuing first notices in January 2023 to parents and/or guardians of students who do not meet the ISPA requirements and second notices in March 2023. For more information, parents can call the HKPR District Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 x 1507, email immunization@hkpr.on.ca or visit hkpr.on.ca.