There were a record number of Orders of Suspensions for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health as part of the Immunization of School Pupils Act process this year.
The Medical Officer of Health and CEO of HPEPH discussed immunizations among the student population as part of his report to the Board of Health on Wednesday.
In his report, Dr. Ethan Toumishey said that the team had sent out “Proof of Immunization Required” letters to 4,900 students with incomplete records.
Between the months of February and March, 60 immunization clinics were held across the region to give students the chance to be fully up to date with their immunizations.
Phone calls, texts and emails were sent to parents as reminders.
In early March, the health unit had sent out 3,004 Orders of Suspension that would take effect on April 9. It is the highest number of Orders of Suspension that the health unit had sent out.
On the day of suspension, there were 828 students facing suspension which would have been the highest number of suspensions given out.
However, the immunization team was able to give out 341 immunizations and more than 100 records were updated, reducing the number of actual suspensions to 221 as of April 12.
As of April 17, that number is now down to 131 students.
