NEWS RELEASE
REGION OF WATERLOO
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Region of Waterloo Public Health is reminding parents and guardians about the importance of vaccination for school-aged children.
The Immunization for School Pupils Act requires that children in Kindergarten to Grade 12 must be up-to-date with vaccines for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox) and meningitis. Records of these vaccinations or a valid exemption must be on file with Public Health.
“These are serious diseases that are largely preventable with vaccination. Students who are not vaccinated are at an increased risk of severe infections and spreading these diseases to others,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner and Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo. “In addition to the mandatory vaccines, we recommend that students remain up-to-date with all publicly funded vaccines, including Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines, routinely given to Grade 7 students.”
As detailed in a report to the Community and Health Services Committee this week, notification letters for students missing one or more mandatory vaccines are being distributed to parents and guardians reminding them to:
- Check their child’s vaccine records to make sure they are up to date
- See a health care provider or book into a public health clinic for any vaccines that the child has missed
- Report all mandatory vaccines to Region of Waterloo Public Health
During the pandemic, Public Health saw a decline in vaccine coverage rates in school-aged children. Vaccine catch-up clinics were held throughout this year and continue to be available.
“Over the course of 2023, Public Health has held 139 catch-up clinics providing 8,991 doses of vaccine to nearly 4,000 school-aged children and youth,” said David Aoki, Director of Infectious Diseases and Chief Nursing Officer. “Since March 2023, the vaccine bus pilot program made over 70 visits to community locations, providing 1,200 doses of mandatory and routine vaccines to children across the region.”
Public Health’s notifications to parents and guardians will continue into January. Students whose records are not up to date by early 2024 will receive notice of school suspension letters beginning in February (elementary) and April (secondary). Those who receive a notice will have four weeks to get their child’s vaccine records up to date or the child will face a school suspension.
Public Health will continue offering catch-up vaccine clinics, at 99 Regina Street South, Waterloo and 30 Christopher Drive, Cambridge. In addition, Public Health will be providing the Grade 7 school vaccine program and will support health care provider catch-up activities.
For more information about vaccine schedules, how to report vaccinations, catch-up clinics, exemptions and more, visit regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.
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