The Sudbury health unit has begun reviewing the immunization records of all elementary and secondary school students in the local jurisdiction.
Under the law, all students in public and private schools, under the age of 18, must have an up-to-date immunization record or have a valid immunization exemption to attend school in Ontario, as outlined in the Immunization of School Pupils Act .
Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) said the review is underway now and will include all secondary schools within the PHSD service area.
To start the annual record review process, an immunization notice will be mailed to all secondary students in Grades 9 to 12 for whom Public Health does not have an up-to-date immunization record, said a news release.
This could mean that the student’s most recent vaccine records have not been received by Public Health or that the student is overdue for one or more vaccines. The notice specifies which of the required vaccine(s) are missing from the student’s record and how to update the information with Public Health.
PHSD said it will be working closely with local school boards, students, parents and guardians in the coming months to ensure that immunization records are updated and that required vaccines that have not been received are administered and reported to Public Health so that students can avoid suspension.
David Groulx, a manager with Public Health’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases team, said there are currently about 1,700 students in the secondary system who will be getting a letter asking for updated information.
“Students who do not have the required immunizations will be advised in the letter to get vaccinated and to report this information to Public Health. It will also provide a potential date of suspension for the student if the information is not received. A second letter will be mailed four weeks later for those who remain outstanding with the ISPA requirements, and the suspension will take effect on the date indicated in the notice if the information has not been received,” said Groulx.
PHSD said it is expected that similar letters for elementary school students will be mailed out as well, but on a later timeline. Catch-up clinic appointments will be offered by Public Health during the summer so that children can obtain any vaccines that they are missing. Parents and guardians of elementary students are urged to ensure their child’s immunizations are up-to-date and reported to Public Health over the summer months to avoid suspension.
Vaccines against diseases that are designated under the Immunization of School Pupils Act are free, safe and effective, said PHSD.
The vaccines are available to protect against cases and outbreaks of diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, pertussis and chickenpox.
In Ontario, the onus is on parents and guardians for reporting immunizations for their school-aged children to a public health unit. Health care providers are not required to report immunizations for their patients to Public Health.
As outlined in the legislation, Public Health must collect and maintain immunization records for students in its service area. Under the ISPA, the Medical Officer of Health can issue suspension orders to students who do not meet the requirements of the ISPA, preventing them from attending school until their records are updated, said the PHSD news release.
