32,000 students in Waterloo region need to update vaccine records to stay in school

There are 32,000 students in Waterloo region who need to update their vaccine records or face suspension from school.

Region of Waterloo Public Health has launched a campaign to remind students and their families to update their records. Public health says about 22,000 elementary students and 10,000 secondary students do not have up-to-date records.

Students who need to update their records will receive a notice from public health. Notices to elementary students went out in November or December and notices for secondary students are going out now, the region said in a release.

Six weeks are being given to update vaccine records before a second notice is sent that warns suspension from school is possible. Elementary students would be suspended March 27, while secondary students would be suspended May 1, the region said.

Receiving a notice doesn't necessarily mean students have not received their vaccinations, but it does mean that, for some reason, their records are out of date.

Families who have not received all their vaccinations can book an appointment at a public health clinic or contact their primary health-care provider.

Vaccine clinic times expanded

David Aoki, director of infectious diseases and chief nursing officer for public health, said they've expanded vaccine clinic times and are providing outreach through the Neighbourhood Nursing Program in high-needs areas of the region.

"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," Aoki said in a release.

"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."

More than 10K students in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

There are more than 10,000 students in the area covered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health who also need to update their vaccination records.

Public health says that includes 8,000 elementary students and 2,400 high school students.

Elementary students received a notice that indicated they had until March 6 to update their records.

High school students received their notices in November and have until Feb. 14 to update their immunization records.

"WDG Public Health does not want to suspend any student and is working closely with individual schools to help students get up-to-date with their immunizations by holding clinics at our offices and in schools," the public health unit said in an email to CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

It noted children who cannot be immunized for medical reasons need to submit a form called the statement of medical exemption, which has to be completed by a physician.

If parents or students choose not to immunize for religious or conscientious reasons, there are other steps they need to follow. Information about that can be found on public health's website.