Immunization reminder

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With just a couple of weeks left in summer vacation, students will be busily gathering school supplies and many parents will need to update their children’s immunization records. The province has taken a tough stand on keeping students safe from infectious diseases. Hamilton alone last year suspended more than 1000 students who did not have the proper vaccinations.

The province has drawn a hard line in the sand. School boards are directed to suspend up to 20 days, any child that has incomplete records. This past school year, Hamilton Public Health checked over 11 000 student records and found over 8 000 needed updating. 1024 students were suspended after parents failed to respond to repeated notices. Waterloo suspended 931 students, Niagara 400 and close to 200 in Halton were kept out of school for several days until most parents got the records up to date. However, if students are suspended, they are allowed back after 20 days whether their records are updated or not.

Reporting is left to the parents which doesn’t bother health officials because some people can’t be immunized for medical reasons, but most students do get immunized and reporting the results to the medical officer is simple. Just call you health provider to make sure records are updated. If not, the doctor can arrange to administer the shots needed.

For more information or to update records call: 905-540-5250 fax: 905-546-4841 or mail: City of Hamilton, Public Health Services, P.O. Box 897 Hamilton, ON, L8N 3P6