The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) is reminding families of students entering Grades 11 and 12 to review and update their immunization records by Sept. 21. In many cases, students may already have received the required vaccines, but that information may not have been reported to the health unit.
More than 5,600 students were mailed reminder notices in May, and approximately 4,000 of those students still do not have up-to-date records on file with the health unit. Parents are required to report immunization information to the health unit each time their child receives a vaccine. SMDHU’s goal is to work with families so students can remain in school without interruption.
Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), public health units must have one of the following on file for every student: an up-to-date immunization record, a medical exemption for a student who cannot receive a vaccine, or a statement of conscience or religious belief affidavit for those who choose not to be vaccinated. Parents must contact the health unit to speak with an immunization nurse to begin the affidavit process. If the health unit has not received the required information by the deadline, students will be suspended from school on Sept. 22, as required under ISPA.
Information about immunizations given by a health-care provider is not automatically shared with the health unit. Students who have already received their vaccinations must report the information online. 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. Immunization nurses will contact families in the coming weeks, and clinics will be offered at each high school in September before the Sept. 21 suspension deadline.
Families may also use CANImmunize, a free mobile app that provides a digital way to organize immunization records and share them with SMDHU. Families are encouraged to submit information early to allow time for processing.
