Are your children up to date on their vaccines?
Algoma Public Health (APH) said today that roughly 6,000 letters are being sent to parents and guardians in Algoma informing them that immunization records for their children aren't up to date — either because they're overdue or because the health unit hasn't received an updated vaccination record.
“Preventing infectious disease is a cornerstone of ensuring a safe school environment. High levels of vaccination contribute to herd immunity which keeps dangerous diseases away from our children,” said Dr. John Tuinema, Associate Medical Officer of Health at Algoma Public Health, in a news release issued today. “For some vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, very high levels of immunization are required in order to achieve herd immunity due to its strong capability to spread among those who are not vaccinated.”
Failure to do so could mean students attending elementary or secondary school may receive up to 20 days of suspension.
"Suspension from school will take place in April and May of the 2023/2024 school year if students have not received all mandatory vaccines, do not have their immunization records up to date, or have a valid immunization exemption on file," the news release states. "Algoma Public Health is encouraging all families to update vaccine records for their children through one of the below methods."
For more information, including how to make sure your child is up-to-date, see the full press release below:
Algoma Public Health is sending out roughly 6,000 letters to parents and guardians in Algoma. The purpose of these letters is to inform them that Algoma Public Health’s immunization record for their child is not up to date. This could mean that we haven't received their latest vaccination record, or that they need to get one or more vaccines because they're overdue.
Vaccines are critical to help safeguard our schools as well as entire communities by mitigating the spread of preventable diseases, making vaccination one of the most impactful and cost-effective primary care interventions to protect our communities. Every member of our community benefits when a child is vaccinated.
Under the Immunization of School Pupil’s Act (ISPA), all children and adolescents under the age of 18 attending elementary or secondary school must be immunized with Ontario’s required vaccines, or have a valid immunization exemption on file with Algoma Public Health. Those who do not meet these requirements will be suspended from school for up to 20 days. The suspension may be re-issued for additional periods of up to 20 days if the information is not received.
“Preventing infectious disease is a cornerstone of ensuring a safe school environment. High levels of vaccination contribute to herd immunity which keeps dangerous diseases away from our children,” said Dr. Tuinema, Associate Medical Officer of Health at Algoma Public Health. “For some vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, very high levels of immunization are required in order to achieve herd immunity due to its strong capability to spread among those who are not vaccinated.”
Suspension from school will take place in April and May of the 2023/2024 school year if students have not received all mandatory vaccines, do not have their immunization records up to date, or have a valid immunization exemption on file. Algoma Public Health is encouraging all families to update vaccine records for their children through one of the below methods.
How to update your child’s immunization records:
Update your child’s immunization record with Algoma Public Health using one of the following options. Please ensure any submission includes your child's full name and date of birth.
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Enter the vaccine record online at www.algomapublichealth.com/icon
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Call us at 705-759-5409 or Toll-Free 1-866-892-0172, ext. 5409.
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Fax the vaccine record to 705-541-5959 (confidential fax).
- Email a picture of their vaccine record to [email protected] (If you are sending us personal information by email, please be aware that electronic communication is not always secure and can be vulnerable to interception)
If your child requires a vaccine:
Ensure your child receives any missing immunizations by making an appointment with your health care provider, participating walk-in clinics or with Algoma Public Health.
Learn more about school immunizations.