press release

Working with Families to Help Avoid School Suspensions

February 3rd, 2020

Point Edward, ON – As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for your child’s immunization status and for reporting immunizations to your local health unit. This ensures Lambton Public Health has accurate records of immunizations.

Lambton Public Health has mailed suspension orders to students whose immunization records are still not up-to-date with the health unit. The deadline to update immunization records is March 2, 2020.

In Ontario, students must be immunized, in the process of being immunized, or legally exempt from being immunized against the following diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal Disease, Pertussis, and Varicella (for those born in 2010 or after).

Lambton Public Health mailed 2,600 first notices in early January and since then the suspension list has dropped to approximately 1,800. In many cases, students on the list have received all the required vaccines from a healthcare provider, but the records have not been reported.

“We want all children to be in a safe and healthy environment at school,” says Chad Ikert, Manager of Health Protection at Lambton Public Health. “In order to maintain a safe environment we require up-to-date records of the immunization status for all students.”

Parents are encouraged to report to Lambton Public Health each time their child receives an immunization. If an immunization is required, call your health-care provider. If you do not have access to a health-care provider please contact Lambton Public Health.

“School suspension orders are a last resort,” says Ikert. “We want to work with those remaining families to ensure their students are fully vaccinated and protected and do not miss any school.”

Several reporting options are available:

For more information about immunizations, exemptions or reporting visit www.lambtonpublichealth.ca or call 519-383-8331 ext. 3594, toll free 1-800-667-1839.

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Please contact:

Chad Ikert
Manager, Health Protection
County of Lambton
519-383-8331 x 3507