Parents are being encouraged to check their children’s immunization records before the new school year begins.
Jamie-Lyn Webb, a public health nurse with Southeast Public Health, said Ontario law requires school-age children to have up-to-date immunization records or a valid exemption on file with public health.
Those diseases include measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningococcal disease and, for children born in 2010 or later, varicella, also known as chickenpox.
Parents can check their child’s yellow immunization record book or access their online record through the Immunization Connect Ontario portal.
Families with missing vaccinations can contact their health-care provider to book an appointment. Those without a health-care provider can also book an appointment through a Southeast Public Health immunization clinic.
Public health reviews student records in the fall and may send letters to families if information is missing.
Webb also reminded parents that children may need booster doses as they get older.
Parents can check the recommended immunization schedule through Southeast Public Health or contact the health unit with questions.
Written by Emily Chatwood
