News Release                                                

                                                     For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                       March 21, 2007

Students Suspended Under Immunizations of School Pupils Act

The first day of school suspensions saw 65 students unable to attend school due to incomplete immunization. Often the students have proper immunization but the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires documentation or an exemption certificate filed with Public Health. By the end of the first day, only 30 students were still suspended.  

Suspensions are down significantly from last year, the result of efforts by Public Health and school staff to alert families that their children may be in jeopardy of suspension.  In 2005, 302 students were suspended, last year 130.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit maintains 25,000 immunization records for all students in schools and licensed daycares in the two counties. Parents are required to notify Public Health when their child receives immunization at a doctor’s office or clinic. Families should maintain an up-to-date yellow card recording their child’s immunization dates and the vaccines administered. Students must have complete diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio (DPTP) and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students with incomplete immunization are at risk of contracting and spreading these diseases.

Notices are going out now on a second round of suspensions starting May 1, 2007 for students in schools not covered in the initial suspension notices.

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For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext 230