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HPPH issues suspension orders to 1,557 students for incomplete immunization records

Suspensions could start May 23 if information not up to date
StratfordToday Staff
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NEWS RELEASE
HURON PERTH PU|BLIC HEALTH
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HURON PERTH, Ont. – On Friday, April 26, 2024, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) issued 1,557 suspension orders to elementary and secondary students whose immunization records are incomplete. Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) students may be suspended from school starting on May 23, 2024, if their records are not updated by that time.

Initially there were more than 5,100 incomplete records; about 70 per cent of those records have been updated since January when HPPH began sending notifications to parents/legal guardians.

“We thank parents for their cooperation thus far and we continue to work with families to resolve the remaining school suspensions,” said Karen Bergin-Payette, Manager of Immunizations at HPPH. “We urge families who receive a suspension order to act quickly to ensure immunization records are updated before May 23.”

Parents who receive a suspension order are asked to do one of the following:

  • If your child is up to date on their immunizations, go to www.hpph.ca/icon to report the required information online, or call HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3558.
  • If your child is not up to date on their immunizations, contact your healthcare provider. If you do not have a healthcare provider, contact HPPH to book an appointment at a catch-up immunization clinic. Appointments can be booked online at www.hpph.ca/catchup or by calling HPPH at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3558.
  • If your child has a valid exemption due to medical reasons, conscience or religious beliefs, or you wish to obtain an exemption, visit www.hpph.ca/exemption and follow the required steps. The suspension order also provides instructions on how to obtain a valid exemption.

A suspension order will be rescinded if parents update their child’s record with HPPH before the suspension date.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires elementary and secondary school students to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school, or to have a valid exemption. The purpose of the Act is to protect the health of children against these preventable diseases. It is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians to provide proof of their child’s immunizations, or to provide a valid exemption, to public health.

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