Health Unit Urging Parents To Avoid Student Suspension Over Immunization Records

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The Windsor Essex County Health Unit is urging parents to ensure their children’s immunization records are up to date.

They say now that summer has officially started, they want obtaining immunizations and updating student immunization records to be a top priority for parents and students. The Health Unit is reminding Grade 7 students (this past school year) and any secondary students with missing immunizations, to plan to receive their shots as soon as possible.

In an effort to get all students who did not receive their Grade 7 vaccines caught up, catch-up immunization clinics are scheduled Monday to Friday at a number of community locations throughout the summer. In addition, clinics are available at the Health Unit’s Windsor and Leamington office locations. The catch-up immunization clinic schedule is available online.  Appointments can be made online or by calling 519-258-2146 ext. 4500. Vaccination appointments are available now for July and August.

“We know the students’ summer schedules fill up fast,” says Stephanie McCallum, Manager of the Healthy Schools Program at the Health Unit. “This is one way students can plan their summer early, so they’re not leaving this until the last minute, risking a possible school suspension.” Public health staff will be available to assess and update the immunization records and/or administer vaccines for Hepatitis B, HPV, and Meningococcal disease at any of the clinics.

The Health Unit says 13,000 secondary students with incomplete immunization records received immunization notices in June. Since the notification letters were sent, approximately 1,000 secondary students have received vaccinations and/or updated their records.

“We encourage families to contact their child’s health care provider for other vaccines needed and to update their child’s immunization record online, by visiting immune.wechu.org,” says McCallum.

At the beginning of September, secondary students who still have incomplete immunization records will receive a suspension notice, suspending them from school for up to 20 days.