Waterloo Region – Families have three weeks to update their children’s immunization records, obtain needed vaccines, and apply for exemptions before the elementary school closure order goes into effect on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Remaining.
In mid-February, Waterloo Region Public Health issued 18,643 suspension orders under the School Child Immunization Act (ISPA) for elementary school students whose public health department’s immunization records were not up to date.
As of March 5, 2024, 10,453 vaccination records remain outdated, approximately two-thirds of which are for children aged 4 to 7 years (kindergarten through second grade). This will likely be the first time parents in this age group go through this process, as annual ISPA enforcement has not taken place during the pandemic. The Department of Public Health encourages you to contact the Department of Public Health or your doctor if you have any questions.
During February, Public Health responded to more than 10,000 online record submissions and emails, more than 2,500 phone calls, and administered more than 2,500 vaccinations.
“Don’t wait until the last minute to find out if your child’s immunization records are up to date,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shui Li Wang. “Please plan ahead to avoid missing school or waiting in long lines.”
“With measles activity on the rise globally, and a recent measles outbreak in Ontario, it is critical to ensure that children are protected from this serious and preventable disease. Measles Vaccine are part of routine immunizations required under the School Student Immunization Act.”
Report vaccines to public health authorities
If your child has received the vaccines listed on the immunization notice:
- Report to public health department. Due to the high volume of vaccine record submissions, it may take 5-7 business days to contact you for updated records.
- Please only submit your child’s records once. If your child’s records are not up to date, we will follow up with you directly.
Let’s get vaccinated
If your child receives an immunization notice and requires a vaccine, you have the following options:
- Make an appointment with your health care provider. If your child is in elementary school and cannot make a reservation by March 27, 2024:
- Make an appointment with your doctor to renew your immunizations as soon as possible.
- Then visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines to notify Public Health of your appointment date (after March 27, 2024). Public Health will apply a temporary exemption to your child’s records to avoid suspension on March 27th.
- Due to high demand, public health clinic appointments may not be available. If you are unable to make an appointment, please contact your health care provider. If you do not have an OHIP card or a primary care provider, please call the Department of Public Health at 519-575-4400.
Check your vaccine record status
If you have reported your vaccination history since then. February 1, 2024 Use this link to see if your child’s immunization records are up to date. regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccineReporting. Note: It may take 5-7 business days for updated records to appear.
The closing date for elementary schools is March 27, 2024, and the closing date for junior high schools is May 1, 2024.
Have a question? Need help?
- Visit Waterloo Public Health Region I want to know more about vaccinations at schools and nursery schools.
- Call Waterloo Public Health Region 519-575-4400, (TTY) 519-575-4608. On-site interpreters available in over 150 languages
background
During the pandemic, public health departments have seen a decline in vaccination rates among school-age children. Regular vaccinations protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningococcus, whooping cough, and chickenpox.
In November and December 2023, the Department of Public Health sent 27,567 notifications to parents of children with outdated immunization records. Since then, public health departments have been running catch-up clinics and providing public assistance to encourage families to update their immunization records and get the routine vaccines they need to stay in school. , has launched a marketing campaign.
The last time ISPA was implemented in Waterloo Region was in 2019, when about 1,032 students were suspended.
of Act on vaccination of children and students (ISPA) requires all elementary and middle school students to have these vaccinations or proof of vaccination. A valid exemption registered with the Department of Public Health.
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