Students who don't have up-to-date vaccinations will be suspended

By Charlene Close
680 News
Dec. 08, 2006

Thousands of students across Durham Region face suspension if they don't get their immunization records updated.

The Durham Region Health Department has sent out final notices to 5,907 elementary students and 8,621 secondary school students and their parents.

Starting January 16, 2007, elementary students who don't have incomplete immunization records will be suspended from school until the information is recieved by the Health Department.

Exemptions may be granted for medical reasons or religious beliefs.

Immunization nursing manager Regina Elliott tells 680News the notices are not meant to be heavy handed.

She said, "It is definitely a school community and community-wide way of trying to prevent vaccine preventable diseases. Most of the time they have received the immunization but haven't notified us. Sometimes it's a matter of a parent just forgetting."

If the immunization record is not completed by January 16, 2007, the student will be suspended but according to Elliott, "It's a very small percentage that are actually suspended the day of suspension."

The vaccinations cover some very serious diseases including diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella.

"We have a high rate of immunization in Durham Region and our goal is to continue keeping all children protected from vaccine preventable diseases," Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Regional Medical Officer of Health explained. "Vaccination is one of the most effective medical interventions to protect the health of children."

Parents are asked to forward updated immunization information to their child's school.

Parents of students requiring immunization are encouraged to contact their family doctor.

The Health Department also provides immunization clinics for kids who don't have access to a family doctor.