Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins introduced a bill Thursday that would require parents to complete an evidence-based education session before excusing their children from being vaccinated for religious or personal reasons.
Bill 198 would amend the Immunization of School Pupils Act and add an extra barrier for parents who do not wish to immunize their children.
The act would also be amended to require health care providers to report any vaccines they administer to children and youth – and that are needed to attend school in Ontario – to their local public health unit directly.
Currently, parents are responsible for reporting their children's immunization records, or "yellow card," to their own local public health unit. This change, if passed, would make it easier for parents and reduce unnecessary suspensions due to out-of-date immunization records.
Hoskins introduced the bill after nearly 600 students were suspended from school in the Waterloo region for outdated or incomplete vaccination records.
In Northern Ontario, the Algoma Public Health confirmed more than 50 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in the Blind River area in early May.
Pertussis is a contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system. The symptoms start with an irritating cough that gets progressively worse. The cough may be characterized by a high-pitched whoop. Vomiting may follow a coughing episode. The cough tends to be worse at night.
Routine immunization helps to protect children and adults from pertussis. Children should be up to date with their routine immunizations, including pertussis. Additionally, all adults are recommended to receive a one-time booster for pertussis (Tdap) during their adult years, especially those having contact with infants or pregnant women.
Some children cannot be vaccinated due to auto-immune disorders, rare diseases, or cancer treatments. Herd immunity, when a majority of the population is immunized, can help protect those children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
