More than 4,000 students entering Grades 11 and 12 across Simcoe-Muskoka could face suspension within a month due to incomplete immunization records.
That is according to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, which said more than 5,600 students were mailed reminder notices in May, with approximately 4,000 still lacking up-to-date immunization records on file with the health unit.
Health unit officials are urging parents and families to review and update their children’s immunization records by Sept. 21.
In many cases, officials said, students may have already received the required vaccines, but the information may not have been reported to the health unit. They said parents are responsible for reporting their child’s immunization information to the health unit each time they receive a vaccine.
That’s in accordance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), which requires health units to maintain vaccine records for every student attending school and enforce suspensions for incomplete vaccine information.
The health unit said clinics will be offered at each high school in September ahead of the suspension deadline.
Health officials said families who are unsure what is missing, need help submitting records, do not have a health-care provider or need a vaccination appointment can contact SMDHU for support.
For more information about immunizations or to schedule an appointment at a health unit clinic, visit the health unit’s website or call 705-721-7520.
