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Peterborough Public Health plans to begin enforcing the requirements of the Immunization of School Pupils Act starting on Wednesday, with students between the ages of four and 17 at risk of being suspended if they do not have required vaccinations.
Students required vaccinations for designated diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox) and meningococcal.
“For the health of students and for ease of outbreak management it is essential that students are up to date on their immunizations and that these are reported to Peterborough public health,” stated medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott.
Student immunization lagged during the COVID-19 pandemic but the health unit resumed immunization opportunities resumed last year after being paused due to the pandemic.
“Starting in January, we are resuming enforcement of routine immunizations to ensure all students are compliant with ISPA and those who are not compliant may be at risk of school suspension,” Piggott stated.
“This will begin with the education of parents and guardians of students who are in Grade 3 and not up-to-date with their immunizations.”
Under the act, parents may still choose to seek either a statement of conscience or religious belief or a statement of medical exemption to exclude their child from being vaccinated.
For the latter, a form must be signed by a physician or registered nurse stating the immunization is either detrimental to the health of the individual, or is unnecessary by reason of past infection or laboratory evidence of immunity.
“Immunizations protect children from highly infectious viruses and bacteria that can lead to severe disease,” Piggott stated in an email. “Ensuring that all students are immunized and records are reported to public health will keep children safe in the classroom and prevent or manage potential outbreaks of disease.”
Parents with a valid Ontario health card can submit immunization records on the health unit’s website, or ask their health care provider to fax immunization records to the health unit.
Children who are not up-to-date should be booked an appointment with a health care provider to receive a vaccine, the health unit advises, or at the health unit’s immunization clinic at the Jackson Square building on King Street in Peterborough (call 705-743-1000 ext. 331 to book an appointment).
Catch-up shots are also being offered through school-based clinics held throughout the school year.
“Parents and guardians can learn more about routine immunizations and how to update their child’s immunization records by going to the Peterborough Public Health website and searching immunization clinics,” Piggott stated.
“If you do not have a health care provider, we also have a Peterborough Public Health routine immunization clinic that would be happy to accommodate you.”
Students are not required to have a COVID-19 vaccine under the act, the provincial government decided in October 2021.
