Ottawa Urges Parents: Update Kids’ Vaccines Before School Starts!

URGENT UPDATE: As students across Ottawa prepare to return to classrooms, public health officials are sounding the alarm on the critical need for parents to ensure their children are up to date on required vaccinations. With the August 2023 start date rapidly approaching, health authorities are emphasizing that failure to comply could lead to school suspensions.

Under Ontario law, children attending primary and secondary schools must be immunized against serious diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, whooping cough, and chickenpox. Parents should act immediately to avoid potential disruptions to their children’s education.

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, stated during an interview with CTV Morning Live, “Always try to get a checkup before school starts. It’s vital to communicate your child’s health needs to the school in writing.” This includes any medications, such as EpiPens for allergies, that may be necessary during school hours.

Parents should be aware that there are specific vaccination schedules. Children aged four to six need shots for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and whooping cough, along with the crucial measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) booster. Alarmingly, Ontario has reported over 2,000 confirmed cases of measles across 26 health units in the past year, with five confirmed cases in Ottawa alone.

For those in Grade 7, the required vaccines include hepatitis B, meningococcal, and HPV (human papillomavirus), which is linked to cervical cancer. Additionally, children aged 14 to 16 need a booster for whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. Following that, boosters for diphtheria and tetanus are required every ten years.

The stakes are high. Last school year, approximately 3,000 students aged seven and 17 in Ottawa faced suspension due to incomplete vaccination records. Dr. Roumeliotis highlighted that many cases stem from missing records rather than a lack of vaccinations, urging parents to verify their children’s immunization status through local health unit websites.

To ensure your child is protected, parents should reach out to their local public health unit or primary care provider for vaccination information. Ottawa Public Health offers detailed resources online, along with other regional health units across Eastern Ontario.

The push for vaccinations is not just about individual health; it’s a community responsibility as well. Dr. Roumeliotis stressed, “Routine immunizations are vital for protecting not only your children but the entire community. The more up to date we are, the safer we all are.”

With the school year just around the corner, parents are urged to act fast. Check vaccination records, schedule appointments, and ensure that your child is ready to head back to school healthy and protected. Don’t let missing vaccinations put your child’s education at risk.