HKPR health unit to issue 2,000 student suspensions for incomplete immunizations

The Immunization for School People’s Act requires all students in Ontario to be vaccinated against a number of diseases. The reason that the risk for these viruses is so low is not because that these viruses are eradicated, but it is because of high vaccination rates in our community and in our schools. Peterborough Public Health has labeled this school year very successful and this year we focused on 2 cohorts to review and ensure that their statuses were up to date. So these are children born in 2008 and 2016. To say that all student records have now been reviewed and the enforcement component is complete, though the health unit was not able to provide exact numbers. While the Halliburton Cora, the Pine Ridge District Health Unit sent suspension notices on Monday to families who have failed to provide those immunization records. Currently, right now we’re looking at about 2000 students in elementary school, so that’s JK to grade two and grades 4 to 8 who are not up to date according to our records. Doesn’t mean they’re not up to date, it just means maybe we don’t have the record from the doctor because we don’t get those automatically. These suspensions will take place next month for those in HKPR. If proof of documentation for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, benagonal disease and varkelly immunizations are not handed in by May 14th, we’re starting to see as we have heard measles is is out there as well as locally within our jurisdiction. We’ve seen a few pertussis cases or whooping cough. And so that can be very, very detrimental or cause a lot of problems for for children. Officials say the backlog of school aged children getting these vaccines can be tied to both the COVID-19 pandemic and even the lack of family doctors. Peterborough Family Health Team does offer unattached patient clinics, so they may be able to support. Peterborough Public Health also has a few unattached patient options to receive a routine immunization. While some families have gotten the proper documentation, it’s possible they have yet to turn it in. To do so and For more information, visit Peterborough Public Health CA or hkr.on.ca. Trisha Mason, Global News.