NEWS RELEASE
REGION OF WATERLOO
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Region of Waterloo Public Health is launching a campaign to help 32,000 students get the vaccines that they need, and their records updated to stay in school.
There are about 22,000 elementary school students and 10,000 secondary school students in Waterloo Region whose vaccine records are not up to date.
During the pandemic, Public Health saw a decline in vaccine coverage rates in school-aged children. Routine vaccinations provide protection against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Meningococcal, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Varicella (chickenpox).
The Immunization of School Pupils Act(ISPA) requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of these vaccinations ora valid exemption on file with Public Health.
“We are working closely with local school boards and our community partners to reach as many families as possible. Our priority is to keep kids healthy and in school,” said David Aoki, Director of Infectious Diseases and Chief Nursing Officer, Region of Waterloo Public Health.
“We have expanded vaccine clinic availability and are providing community-based outreach with our Neighbourhood Nursing Program in high-needs areas. Vaccination protects kids and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease. Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others.”
If you have received a notice from Public Health:
Appointments are available for any student who needs to catch up on their routine vaccines at Public Health clinics. Families can also contact their health care provider or a walk-in clinic for vaccine availability.
Report your child’s vaccines to Public Health
It’s your responsibility to report your child’s vaccines to Public Health if they received their vaccines from a health care provider. It’s easy to do online.
All you need is a copy of their vaccination record from your health care provider and your child’s health card number (if applicable). Watch this video for instructions on how to report.
Schedule of notification and suspension
Vaccination notices providing six weeks to update vaccine records went out to elementary school families in November and December last year. Notices to secondary school families are being distributed now.
Students whose records have not been brought up to date will receive a second notice in February (elementary) and April (secondary) of pending school suspension. This second notice provides an additional four weeks to get vaccine records up to date before school suspension takes effect.
The elementary school suspension date is March 27, 2024. Secondary school suspension date is May 1, 2024.
Questions? Need help?
- Visit Region of Waterloo Public Health to learn more about school and child care vaccinations
- Call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400, (TTY) call 519-575-4608. Interpreters are available in over 150 languages
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