Thousands of Windsor-Essex students still face suspension from school for not updating their immunization records.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) reported that as of Thursday, 9,063 students in kindergarten through to grade eight had not provided up-to-date immunization records. The number also includes those who may have had their shots, but have not filed the paperwork with the health unit.
"While great progress has been made in updating elementary student immunization records, these students are either overdue for one or more vaccines required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990, or they have not yet submitted their immunization records to the Health Unit," read a media release.
In mid-December 2022, the health unit indicated that over 12,000 Kindergarten to Grade 8 students had incomplete records or immunizations. That number was reduced by roughly 3,000 over the winter holidays.
Those students who have not updated their files by March 20 will get a notice from the health unit warning them of suspension, possibly lasting 20 school days.
Parents have three options for submitting records. They can be sent through secure online reporting, telephone, or fax; parents can contact their child's family physician to get missing shots or any relevant records, or they can book an appointment to have outstanding shots done at a clinic provided by the health unit.
Complete information about immunization can be found on the WECHU's official website.
