School Pupils Act now includes additional vaccines
Posted Apr 10, 2014 03:56:40 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Three extra vaccines will soon be needed for school aged children in Waterloo Region. Currently, vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and polio are required. Now, the province has updated its School Pupils Act – by adding meningococcal, whooping cough and chicken pox to the list.
Students will need to show proof of immunization starting July 1st.
Manager of vaccine preventable disease program for Region of Waterloo Public Health, Linda Black says maintaining high coverage rates for immunizations is very important.
“It ensures that not only the individuals are protected, but that the community at large is protected. So for example, with something like measles, where we’re seeing outbreaks in different communities, it’s really, really important that our coverage rates stay high so that that disease doesn’t take hold in our community.”
Elementary school students needed to have their information in by March 26th – secondary students have until May the 7th. About 4200 letters have been mailed to students who don’t have updated records.
Parents who have medical, religious or philosophical reasons not to immunize their children need to file a formal exemption with the Region.
