Public health suspending Ottawa students for incomplete vaccinations

The public health agency is warning that suspensions have been issued and more are imminent for many Ottawa students in elementary and high school who have incomplete vaccination records.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is telling families to update their students’ childhood vaccination records, something that is needed to ensure immunization is accurate. To attend school in Ontario, students must be vaccinated against nine vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, and varicella (for students born in 2010 or later) or provide a valid exemption.

“These measures play a vital role in keeping Ottawa schools safe and protecting students from vaccine‑preventable diseases,” the health agency said in a press release.

OPH told CityNews in an email that it cannot give accurate numbers of how many students are serving a suspension, but that the first group was barred from school starting Jan. 12. It does note that the numbers are dynamic as parents and guardians start updating the records.

In the fall, about 15,000 students, from the ages of seven to 17, were given first notices by the health agency telling families that the vaccine record was incomplete. This could mean the student’s vaccine is not on file or is missing. In many instances, the vaccine was given, but OPH was not notified.

Families were told they had a month to update the record before a second notice, which included a suspension order. Before a suspension is issued, the health agency notes that it ensures families understand how to verify the records, get a missing vaccine or report updated information.

The first cohort warned in December started their suspensions in mid-January. Suspensions are expected to continue through March in a staggered schedule by school boards. The health agency is imploring people to get students vaccinated as the immunization helps keep their classmates and the broader community healthy.

“OPH also recognizes that some parents may have questions about vaccines or may encounter misinformation online,” it said. “Vaccines are safe, rigorously monitored, and highly effective at preventing serious illness.”

How to make sure vaccines are up to date

1. Compare the records you have with the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule to make sure it is up to date. 
2. Report the student’s vaccine(s) to Ottawa Public Health (OPH): It is possible that the student is up to date on their vaccines, but OPH is missing information. Healthcare providers do not report vaccinations to OPH. There are several ways to update immunization record, including submitting their records online, through the Immunization Connect Ontario Tool (ICON), or the CANImmunize App.
3. Families facing barriers to accessing routine vaccinations or those who don’t have a healthcare provider can book an appointment at one of the Kids Come First clinics. Additionally, OPH offers drop-in clinics at the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.