Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Starting May 12, the Perth District Health Unit will be mailing around 400 suspension orders to Perth County students whose immunization records are not up-to-date. This number originally stood at more than 2,900 after reviewing the records of all students attending school in the county.
The suspension orders take effect on Tuesday, May 26. Students who receive an order and whose immunization record remains incomplete that day will not be allowed to attend school. However, there is still time to avoid suspension.
“We do not want any children to miss school because of an out-of-date immunization record,” says Lorna Askes, Public Health Nurse. “The Health Unit can remove suspension orders up until May 25 if we receive the required immunization information or a valid exemption.” She encourages families who receive an order to: report their child’s immunization record to the Health Unit; book an immunization appointment with their family doctor or through the Health Unit; or call the Health Unit to request an exemption package.
Health Unit staff have been contacting families to get missing records, or to advise them on which immunizations are needed for school attendance. They’ve also been holding special immunization clinics at Health Unit offices.
“We want all children and youth to be protected from diseases that could easily spread in schools,” says Askes.
Parents can report immunization records:
- 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 detailed 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.
For more information:
- Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
- Visit our Immunization page
- Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/pdhealthunit