Fewer suspension notices issued for missing vaccination records: public health

Lambton is back to baseline when it comes to the number of students who need to update their vaccination records with public health, says the county’s top doc.

Lambton is back to baseline when it comes to the number of students who need to update their vaccination records with public health, says the county’s top doc.

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About 3,000 notices were sent out earlier this month to students whose immunization records aren’t up to date with the health unit, warning they could face suspension by early March if that doesn’t change, said Lambton medical officer of health Karalyn Dueck.

The number of notices is down sharply from the nearly 6,200 sent out last Januarywhen the health unit again started enforcing suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, after several years’ break amid the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual learning.

This year’s 3,000 notices “is a return to that (typical yearly) starting point we saw pre-pandemic,” Dueck said, noting in 2020, about 2,600 first notices were sent out.

Most recipients are immunized, but their vaccination records don’t automatically go to public health, she said.

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“It is up to parents or guardians, per the Immunization of School Pupils Act,” to notify public health, she said.

About two-thirds of this year’s notices went to elementary school students, she said. The rest went to secondary school students.

Those who’ve received first notices – public health began the notification process Jan. 3 – and don’t update records with public health before Jan 31, will receive suspension orders in early February, officials said.

If there’s no response to those, 20-day suspensions take effect March 4, Dueck said.

“Or until their records are updated,” she said.

Students also can be suspended again if vaccination records aren’t updated within 20 days, officials have said.

“We work very hard to make sure that students can stay in school and receive the education they need and work closely with the school boards to make the process as smooth as we can,” Dueck said.

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The act requires immunization – or having a valid exemption – against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease and varicella to attend school.

“Requiring proof of immunization for students for the designated vaccine preventable diseases under the Immunization of School Pupils Act protects children’s health and reduces the risk of outbreaks in schools and the community,” Dueck said.

Details about how to report vaccination status to public health can be found at lambtonpublichealth.ca/immunization/children-and-youth. People can also call 1-800-667-1839 for more information.

[email protected]
@tylerkula

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