Changes to student immunization

Starting in the 2014/2015 school year, students heading to school in Ontario will have to meet the new immunization requirements for school attendance.

The new regulations will make three vaccines that were recommended in the past mandatory. Students between the ages of 4 and 17 will therefore need to have proof of immunization against the following diseases in order to attend school:

meningococcal disease (if students did not receive the vaccine in grade 7, they can receive it at school in grades 8 to 12);

pertussis (whooping cough);

varicella (chickenpox), for children born in 2010 or later.

The new regulations have also changed the number of shots (doses) of vaccines that students must receive to be protected from tetanus, diphtheria, polio and mumps. 

However, no changes have been made to the measles and rubella immunization requirements.

As was the case in the past, the new regulations state that parents of children attending an elementary or secondary school in the province must provide proof of their child’s immunization against the diseases mentioned above. 

Children who do not have the required immunization records or valid exemptions may be temporarily suspended from school. 

Parents must therefore inform the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) every time their child receives a vaccine. 

The health unit can help parents keep their children’s immunization records up-to-date.

Vaccines are safe and protect children by causing their body to produce antibodies, which fight off disease. Immunizations play a vital role in children’s health as they protect them from a number of serious diseases. 

For information, or to notify the health unit that your child has received a vaccine, call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120.

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