Kawarthas health unit asks parents to check children's immunization records for missing vaccinations
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) is requesting parents ensure their children's immunization records are current, as it will be issuing suspension notices beginning the week of April 29.
The health unit is upholding provincial compliance under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). The ISPA requires all students in Ontario to be vaccinated against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, and varicella or to have a valid exemption on file with the health unit.
Second notices are being issued to students in junior kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grades 4 through 8 with incomplete records, HKPRDHU stated in a recent media release.
"Suspension notices will begin to go out next week," Ashley Beaulac, HKPRDHU's manager of communication services manager, told kawarthaNOW on Friday (April 26).
"Ideally, our hope is to send out as (few) as possible," Beaulac said. "The program has an ultimate goal of ensuring all students remain up to date with their health records whether that requires vaccination or exemption. We've found that parents/guardians are quick to respond, especially with the school boards helping to relay this information."
Parents and guardians are asked to update their child's immunization records with HKPRDHU now to avoid suspension in May.
HKPRDHU is required to maintain and review vaccine records and exemptions for every student attending school within the City of Kawartha Lakes, the County of Haliburton, and Northumberland County.
Those with incomplete records are at risk of being suspended from school for up to 20 days.
"Our goal is to ensure all student vaccination records are kept up to date according to the (ISPA)," said Marianne Rock, manager of communicable disease prevention and control for HKPRDHU, in the media release.
"If you've received notification and your child has had all of their recent vaccinations or has a valid exemption, this means that you need to contact us to ensure our records are updated as we don't necessarily receive these updates from your health care providers."
The health unit estimates approximately 2,000 suspension orders are being distributed to parents/legal guardians of students in junior kindergarten to Grade 2 and Grades 4 through 8 who do not meet the ISPA requirements.
If the health unit does not receive the required information for a student's immunization file, they will be suspended from school starting May 13, for up to 20 days or until the records are updated to meet ISPA requirements, HKPRDHU noted.
Parents and/or guardians need to ensure their child’s immunization records with the health unit are up to date by visiting the Immunization Connect Ontario website at hkpr.icon.ehealthontario.ca or by calling the health unit at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.
Since August 2023, HKPRDHU has been hosting school-aged immunization clinics to provide families without a health care provider access to immunizations to meet the ISPA requirements. Families without a health care provider can book an appointment online or call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1507.
Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW
