High school students in Burlington, Oakville, Milton need to ensure vaccinations up-to-date

High school students in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills need to make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date.

Halton Region is encouraging parents and guardians of students in Grades 9 to 12 (born in 2006-2009) to ensure they are up-to-date on routine vaccinations and to report their records to Public Health.

“Routine childhood vaccinations protect against diseases like measles, chickenpox, polio and many other viruses that have been greatly reduced in Canada due to availability of safe and effective vaccines,” said Dr. Deepika Lobo, Halton Region’s Acting Medical Officer of Health.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students may have fallen behind on their regular vaccinations. Please ensure your children have up-to-date immunizations and are protected, and remember to notify Halton Region Public Health after every vaccine they receive.”

Public Health enforces Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), which requires students receive routine immunizations to help stop the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. This school year, students in Grades 9 to 12 may be suspended from school in early 2024 if their immunization records are not up-to-date.

Families should check to make sure students have received all necessary doses to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, whooping cough, and chickenpox.

Eligible students who are missing vaccines can request immunization from their primary health care provider or visit a walk-in clinic.

Community clinics are being planned for the rest of this year and early 2024. Continue to check the school-based immunizations page for community clinic dates and appointments.

Parents and guardians can easily view their child’s immunization record online and report their children’s immunization recoards to Public Health by using Halton’s reporting system available here, calling 311, or mailing or dropping off records at the Halton Regional Centre located at 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, L6M 3L1.

For more information, visit the region website.