Vaccination deadlines loom for secondary students in Waterloo Region

An undated stock image of a backpack and lunch bag on the concrete (Diana/Pexels).

Some secondary school students in Waterloo Region students who have not updated their vaccination records will face suspension beginning May 8.

Region of Waterloo Public Health mailed suspension orders and instructions to affected students in mid-March.

Students are required to submit up-to-date vaccination records, proof of an upcoming vaccination appointment, or a valid exemption to Public Health by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, to avoid suspension.

“Vaccination is your child’s best protection against serious illness,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Waterloo, in the release. “We are seeing cases of measles locally as well as active outbreaks throughout the province. It is important to ensure your child’s vaccines are up to date.”

Avoiding suspension

To avoid suspension, students must provide the following to Public Health by 4:30 p.m. on May 7:

• An updated vaccination record. Any new vaccines students have received can be reported on the region’s website.
• A notification of a scheduled vaccine appointment. Appointments can be booked through the student’s healthcare provider or at a Public Health clinic. No OHIP card is needed to book an appointment.
• A valid exemption given beforehand

Vaccine appointments are available for secondary students at:

• 150 Main St. in Cambridge
• 20 Weber St. in Kitchener
• 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo.

No action is required for students who have already received confirmation from Public Health that they will not be suspended or those who have submitted records but are awaiting confirmation. Due to a high volume of submissions, Public Health is still processing records and asks families not to call or resubmit.

If your child is suspended

If your child has been suspended after May 8, Public Health recommends students to book a vaccine appointment. No walk-ins will be accepted. Anyone with questions can call 519-575-4400, though wait times may be long.

Measles outbreak

The suspension notices come as southwestern Ontario continues to see a rise in measles cases.

As of April 23, there have been 30 confirmed measles cases in the Waterloo Region, according to data provided by Public Health Ontario.

Measles can be spread through the air, with germs from coughs, sneezes and breathing.

Measles symptoms usually start showing signs seven to 21 days after exposure.

These may include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots on the inside of the mouth and throat and a red blotchy rash.

Other symptoms can be diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe instances, measles can lead to brain inflammation and death.

Anyone who suspects they may have measles is encouraged to stay home and avoid contact with others.

If seeking medical treatment, call your health provider ahead of time so they can take steps to prevent the virus from spreading to others.