The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit says 820 local students still haven’t complied with immunization requirements and face suspension from school.
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During the first week of January, the health unit issued suspension orders to 652 elementary and 427 high school students whose immunization records aren’t up to date in accordance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
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As of Wednesday, the health unit said 478 elementary and 342 high school students remain non-compliant with the immunization act.
“To ensure that all students under the age of 18 attending school in Haldimand and Norfolk counties have up-to-date immunization records in the event of an outbreak, the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit must collect and maintain those records,” said a news release issued by the health unit on Wednesday.
As part of that process, requests for immunization record submissions were mailed to students in July and November 2023, in addition to the suspension orders sent in January.
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In Ontario, the immunization act requires all students between the ages of four and 17 to provide proof of routine childhood immunization against these infectious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis and varicella ( chicken pox) — for children born after 2010.
Alternatively, students must have a valid exemption to attend school.
As part of the health unit’s Immunization of School Pupils Act enforcement for the 2023-2024 school year, immunization records of students born in 2007, 2015 and 2016 have been assessed for compliance.
These students whose records remain incomplete will face suspension from school on Feb. 7, says the news release. Suspensions can last up to 20 days.
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Proof of COVID-19 vaccines is currently not a requirement to attend school and doesn’t need to be reported.
“There is a general misconception that immunizations received from a person’s healthcare provider are reported to Public Health on their behalf,” said Eric Robertson, program manager — vaccine preventable diseases. “When, in fact, parents have an important role to play. It is their responsibility to report the immunizations their child receives to the health unit.”
Parents and caregivers can review and update their child’s immunization record with the health unit at hnhu.org/immunization-reporting or contact their healthcare provider to receive any immunizations needed.
The health unit is also offering walk-in and appointment-based clinics to meet the needs of students over the coming weeks.
Visit hnhu.org/routine-immunization for more information.
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