As of Tuesday, 128 students in the Grand Erie region remain suspended from school due to incomplete immunization records, following enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). The suspensions come amid efforts by Grand Erie Public Health to ensure compliance with provincial vaccination requirements.
Suspension Details
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Initial Orders: Earlier this year, Grand Erie Public Health issued 2,813 suspension orders to elementary and secondary students across Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk.
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Resolved Cases: By March 25, 84% of these orders were rescinded as students updated their immunization records. Since then, 333 additional students have resolved their records and returned to school.
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Remaining Suspensions: Currently, 73 students in Brantford-Brant and 55 in Haldimand-Norfolk remain suspended.
Support for Suspended Students
Grand Erie Public Health is actively assisting families to update immunization records, receive necessary vaccines, or register valid exemptions. Dr. Adelle Chang On, Acting Medical Officer of Health, emphasized the importance of vaccinations: “Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to protect our children and community from serious diseases.”
Context and Challenges
The ISPA mandates that Ontario students between ages 4-17 must provide proof of immunization against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis, and whooping cough. The enforcement comes during a measles outbreak in Southwestern Ontario, underscoring the urgency of maintaining high vaccination rates.
Grand Erie Public Health continues its efforts to safeguard school communities by ensuring compliance with immunization laws while addressing gaps in vaccination coverage.
