- Hub staff

We were asked how the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit could provide familes with information about vaccination status in their local high schools.  School boards and Health Units have co-operated for decades in ensuring that school-age children are protected from highly-contagious diseases including polio, measles and whooping cough.  This information is on the websites of the school boards and Public Health units.:

From the Bluewater District School Board:

"The Vaccine Program of the Grey Bruce Health Unit encourages all individuals to make sure they are protected with all recommended vaccinations. Make sure that you, your children and your parents are up to date. Safeguard your immunization record. When your children enter school or a daycare centre, they will need a record of their immunizations. Your doctor will need information about your previous vaccinations to tell if you need a booster. In an emergency, your record will provide health care personnel with important information.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is required to assess and keep immunization records on 100% of school pupils at school entry and annually, according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act.. When your child begins school for the first time in the Grey-Bruce area, we will request a copy of your child's immunization record. If your child receives immunization from your family physician, please provide us with a copy of the information and your child's record will be updated.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act provides Medical Officers of Health with the powers to take action with respect to inadequately immunized pupils, including suspension at any time and exclusion during outbreaks."

From the Grey Bruce Health Unit:

"For health and safety reasons, everyone, including adults, needs to have a personal immunization record showing dates of all vaccinations since birth.

Please ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to share your immunization updates with public health.

Children who are not fully immunized may not be allowed to attend school.

Check with your health care provider or local public health unit to make sure your child has all the vaccines needed to attend school

The Grey Bruce Health Unit is mandated to maintain immunization records for all children and adolescents from 0-18 years of age.

In Ontario, The Law requires that children registered in schools and daycares must be completely immunized (or have valid exemptions in place) according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act and the Child Care and Early Years Act (see Section 35).

If there is an outbreak, immunization records let us know which students may be at risk of getting a vaccine preventable disease, and help control the spread of disease in our communities."