Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Hundreds of students across Perth and Huron counties could be suspended from school on May 26 because they have not provided the Health Unit with a complete immunization record. All children aged 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule in order to attend school.
“We don’t want any children to miss school because of an outdated immunization record,” says Lorna Askes, Public Health Nurse. “In most cases, children have all of the required immunizations but the Health Unit doesn’t have the updated information.” It is a parent’s responsibility to inform the Health Unit when their child receives an immunization; doctors do not send this information.
Parents can report immunization records to the Health Unit:
- By email: Scan or take a picture of your immunization record and email it to: immunization@pdhu.on.ca
- By confidential fax: Ask your doctor’s office to fax a copy to the Health Unit or fax a copy yourself. The Immunization Record fax number is 519-271-2785.
- In person: Bring your child’s yellow card to the Health Unit at: 653 West Gore Street, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 1L4; Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
- By phone: Leave the information on a voice mail (24 hours/7 days a week). Call 519-271-7600 ext 555; toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 555.
- Unfortunately online reporting is not available at this time. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Changes to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) came into effect in July 2014. The changes are meant to protect children and youth from diseases that could easily spread in schools. Students attending school must provide proof of immunization for meningococcal disease, whooping cough (pertussis) and – for children born in 2010 or later – chickenpox (varicella). They must also ensure they have the required number of shots for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles, mumps, and rubella.
Upcoming Immunization Clinics
The Perth District Health Unit is currently reviewing student records. Notices were issued in February and Public Health Nurses have been calling parents of children whose records are not up-to-date.
If an immunization is missing, parents will need to make arrangements with their health care provider, or with their Health Unit if they don’t have a doctor, to have their child immunized. The Perth District Health Unit is holding special immunization clinics at its Stratford office on May 4, 5, 6, and 8, and at its North Perth office in Listowel on May 7 and 13 for students who don’t have a family doctor. An appointment is required and may be booked by calling 519-271-7600 ext 240 or toll-free, 1-877-271-7348 ext 240.
If a child’s immunization record is not up-to-date by May 26, 2015, they will be suspended from school until either an updated immunization record or a valid exemption form is provided to the Health Unit.
For more information:
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267