Ottawa Public Health Initiative

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has launched an important initiative aimed at protecting the health of students in the city. Starting this week, OPH began sending notifications to parents of children and youth who lack completed immunization records. This informational campaign will run until mid-January and is focused on students born in 2007 and 2017.

Concern Over Missing Vaccinations

Due to widespread concerns, especially following a review of immunization records for students aged 7 to 17, OPH discovered a staggering 15,000 children may be missing required vaccinations or haven't reported their vaccination status to the agency. This alarming figure raises significant concerns about the potential for outbreaks of preventable diseases in the community.

Importance of Keeping Records Updated

Officials from OPH emphasize that keeping immunization records updated is crucial for the health of individual children as well as the broader community. "Ensuring immunization records are kept up to date with the local public health unit helps protect your child and the community from infectious diseases," OPH stated in their announcement.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents and guardians will receive a detailed notice outlining which vaccinations each student is missing and instructions on how to rectify the situation. Crucially, families have a one-month window to amend their records before receiving a follow-up notice that may lead to school suspension. If necessary updates are not made, a suspension of up to 20 school days could be enforced as a last resort.

Legal Requirements and Recommendations

According to Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act, students are required to be vaccinated against nine diseases, including diphtheria, measles, and pertussis, among others, or provide valid exemptions. OPH is strongly encouraging all parents, regardless of their child's age, to ensure vaccinations are current and reported to the public health unit, especially since primary care providers do not automatically convey this information to OPH.

Call to Action for Parents

Parents must act quickly to avoid any disruptions to their child's education. The health and safety of the community depend on everyone playing their part to ensure children are up-to-date with vaccinations. Don't wait—check your child's immunization status today!