Parents in Waterloo Region were warned last fall that they had to either update their children’s immunization records or face the consequences.
Several months later, many still haven’t – and up to 20,000 local students are at risk of suspension if that doesn’t change.
As things stand, elementary students’ in Waterloo Region whose vaccination records aren’t up to date as of April 6 will be suspended until that situation changes.
For high school students, the date to watch is May 11.
Three weeks before those dates, families yet to submit the vaccination information will receive legal orders notifying them of the impending suspensions.
While there are lots of opportunities for students to get needed shots – and many of the discrepancies are believed to be related to paperwork, not unimmunized students – the suspensions aren’t an idle threat.
Oxford County passed its deadline for elementary school students on Feb. 11. A total of 138 students were suspended, all of whom returned to school before the end of the month.
High school students there have until May 30 to get the proper records submitted.
Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act, all students in the province must be immunized against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.
