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Student Immunization
Diphtheria, measles, polio, tetanus, rubella (German measles), mumps, meningococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) are serious childhood diseases. The best prevention we have against these diseases is immunization. As many children as possible should be immunized to provide the best protection for individuals and to stop the spread of preventable diseases throughout the community.
To ensure the protection of children and the public, the Ontario Ministry of Health administers a universal school immunization program as part of the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Under the Act, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is legally required to collect and maintain a complete immunization history on all children enrolled in a school.
Schools do not collect or submit immunization records. Parents will be reminded to submit up to date immunization information to Public Health when registering their child for school. Each time your child receives a vaccine, it is your responsibility to report it to Public Health.
If you update your child’s vaccinations at a Public Health Clinic, the information will be reported by the staff there. If you go to a nurse practitioner or family doctor, you can request that your healthcare provider fax or email the vaccination updates to WDGPH. If your healthcare provider is unable to do this, you can report the update to Immunize WDG or by contacting WDGPH via email vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca or by phone 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.
If you decide not to immunize your child for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons, please contact WDGPH to begin the exemption process. If one of the nine diseases appears in your child’s school and your child is unimmunized, they may have to stay out of school until the disease is no longer present.
Students who fail to provide proof of immunization or an exemption form will be suspended from school by WDGPH under the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
Please note that two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are required for children who were born in 2010 or later. The chickenpox vaccine is also recommended for students born on or after, January 1st, 2000. Check with your healthcare provider or call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 to make an appointment. Don’t forget to take your child’s Yellow Immunization Card with you to be updated.