2816 secondary school students to receive suspension orders this week

Public Health will deliver 2816 suspension orders this week for students enrolled in secondary school who still have immunization records that are not up-to-date with Region of Waterloo Public Health. The suspension orders will take effect on May 3, 2017. Students/parents who receive a suspension order have three weeks to submit up-to-date records or receive the required immunizations.

Region of Waterloo Public Health is required to collect and maintain the immunization records of all students (under the age of 18) attending school in Waterloo Region. This is done to ensure the immunization status of all students is up-to-date in the event of a vaccine preventable disease outbreak.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires students to be immunized against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Meningococcal Disease. Records of immunization must be provided to Public Health directly. If students/parents do not provide an up-to-date immunization record or legal exemption, they will face suspension from school for up to 20 days or until documentation is provided to Public Health.

In late 2016 and early 2017, Public Health mailed 6024 notices to secondary students to notify them that their immunization records were not up-to-date according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act. The suspension orders are a follow-up to this communication.

Students who are 16 years of age and older, or parents of students under 16 years of age may contact their health care provider or family physician to obtain immunization records and/or immunizations. For those without a family physician, Public Health offers immunization clinics in both Waterloo and Cambridge offices. Parents can make an appointment by calling 519-575-4400 ext. 5003. A listing of Walk-in Clinics at Region of Waterloo Public Health can be found on our website.

For more information, please contact our Vaccine Information Line at 519-575-4400 ext.5003. 

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Media contact: Kirsten Keil-Mehlenbacher, Coordinator, Health Communications, 519-575-4400, ext. 2244 or kkeil-mehlenbacher@regionofwaterloo.ca

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The Region of Waterloo provides more than 60 per cent of municipal services to a growing population of 530,000 people. We are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community through innovative leadership and a range of services such as: public health, social services, planning, heritage, water supply, regional roads, waste management, ambulance service, rural libraries, public transit, community housing, emergency planning, Provincial Offences Courts and airport services.