Hundreds of students across Chatham-Kent could be facing suspension if they do not get their immunization records up to date.
According to the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit, 1686 notices have been sent out to students with incomplete immunization records.
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act of 1990, all students must be vaccinated against or have a valid exemption for diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, and meningitis.
Public Health officials say records are not automatically reported by health care providers, so parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their child’s records are up to date.
Any students who have either not had their records updated or not received the required shots will be issued a suspension order by the end of the month. Non-compliance with the suspension order will lead to the student’s suspension from school beginning on March 4th.
To ensure compliance with ISPA and avoid any potential suspension, parents are urged to take the following steps:
- Review your child’s immunization records to ensure they are complete.
- Contact your healthcare provider for missing vaccinations or reach out to the CK Public Health School Health Team for clinic options.
- Submit updated records to CK Public Health:
- Online at ckpublichealth.com/vaccinations
- Mail/In-Person at 435 Grand Ave East, Chatham ON (2nd Floor)
- Phone at 519-352-7270 ext 2457
