Waterloo region reminds secondary students to update vaccination records as suspension deadline nears
"Suspension orders and information on how to take corrective measures were mailed to affected secondary school students in mid-March," said Lynsey Slupeiks, manager of corporate communications for Waterloo region, in a release sent out Monday.
Vaccination requirements are part of the Immunization of School Pupils Act, which "requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of these vaccinations or a valid exemption on file with Public Health," the release said.
Since the measles outbreak in October 2024, Ontario has seen more than 1,000 cases, most of which affect young people. (Dr. Erskine Palmer/CDC)
Measles and vaccination
"Routine vaccinations provide protection against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox)," Slupeiks said.
Measles, in particular, has been a public health concern in Ontario since late last year.
On April 24, Public Health Ontario reported that "a total of 1,020 people have had measles since the province's outbreak began last October." The report does not indicate how many of the cases are "active or communicable."
Sarah Wilson, a medical epidemiologist at Public Health Ontario, said that the province is seeing 100 cases per week, which she describes as "100 cases too many."
While it can affect adults, measles more commonly affects children, especially those who are not immunized. David Aoki, Chief Nursing Officer of Waterloo region, says it is very important to stay up to date with vaccinations. (Shutterstock)
Public Health Ontario's report said many of the new cases are in southwestern Ontario, with three quarters of the cases affecting infants, children, and teens.
David Aoki, the director of infectious diseases and Chief Nursing Officer for Waterloo region, says vaccines keep schools and children safe amidst the on-going measles outbreak.
"It's very important to stay up to date and make sure that you're not bringing potentially an infection in the school, or not getting an infection while you're in the school," he said.
Suspension orders: Elementary and Secondary
Slupeiks said Public Health sent out 7,077 notices to secondary students with outdated vaccination records back in January.
A total of 5,032 suspension orders were issued in mid-March. Approximately 2,380 secondary students were still not up to date as of April 24.
As for elementary students, Waterloo region "issued nearly 9,000 suspension orders to elementary school children who don't have up-to-date vaccination records" back in February.
On April 2, 1,624 elementary students were suspended.
Aoki says as of April 24, only 70 elementary students were still suspended.
Valid exemptions from vaccination requirement
Aoki said that while vaccines are "very effective against the diseases that they vaccinate for," there are specific instances where receiving vaccination may not be appropriate.
One of these situations is a medical exemption.
"If your doctor feels there's a medical reason why getting a vaccine is not possible at this time, whether it be because of medication you're taking, a medical condition, a past reaction, then your doctor can provide a medical exemption and send it to Public Health," Aoki said.
"Then there's what we call a statement of conscience or philosophical event," he added. This exemption is available to parents who feel that their values or beliefs are against vaccinations.
Aoki said parents may have their children exempted from vaccinations after completing a "short [virtual] education session."
Regardless of the type of exemption, students will have to report said exemption before May 8.
What to do next
Slupeiks reminds secondary students with suspension orders who already have updated vaccine records to report vaccines they have received to the region's vaccine website.
Public health vaccinations are available to secondary students without the need for OHIP. All appointments with public health have to be done online. (Eric Risberg/The Canadian Press)
If vaccines are needed, students may either book an appointment with their health-care provider, or at a public health clinic. Those who choose to get their vaccines via their health-care providers are required to report their vaccination to public health once vaccinated.
Students who choose to make appointments with public health will have to book their vaccination appointments online. Vaccination appointments are available at three locations:
150 Main Street in Cambridge.
20 Weber Street in Kitchener.
99 Regina Street South in Waterloo.
For students who booked vaccination appointments after the May 7 deadline, they are required to notify public health of said appointments to receive a temporary exemption on their record to prevent suspension.
Students who have already reported vaccine records but have not yet received confirmation, as well as those who received confirmation from public health that they will not be suspended do not have to do anything else.
The deadline to submit "up-to-date vaccination records, notification of an upcoming vaccination appointment, or a valid exemption" to public health is on May 7 at 4:30 pm.
Suspensions take effect on May 8.
For any questions, students and parents may visit the Region of Waterloo Public Health website.
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