The City of Ottawa reports that over 15,000 children have incomplete immunization records — and Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is requiring all students to be vaccinated against nine vaccine-preventable diseases.
This includes diphtheria, measles, meningococcal diseases, mumps, pertussis, polio, rubella, tetanus, and varicella, wrote the City of Ottawa in a news release.
OPH completed a review of vaccine records for students born in 2007 and 2017 for compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act — and results show an estimated 15,000 students in Ottawa are without complete immunization records.
According to the city, these students are either missing important vaccines or oftentimes, their immunizations have not been reported to OPH.
“Ensuring immunization records are kept up to date with the local public health unit helps protect your child and the community from infectious diseases,” wrote Ottawa.
From now until mid-January, OPH will be sending ‘Notices of Incomplete Immunization Records,’ for students born in 2007 and 2017 (seven and 17 year-olds).
Notices will be sent to schools and via mail, once postal service resumes, added the city.
Information in each notice will include which vaccines are missing and how to update the child’s immunization record with OPH.
According to the news release, parents who receive a notice — but their kids already received the required vaccines — are being notified because they are not on record with OPH.
Parents or guardians will be given one month to update their child’s immunization record with OPH before a second notice is sent, which includes a Suspension Order.
A second notice gives parents an additional month to update the record, prior to a suspension.
“Suspension is a last resort option to ensure immunization records have been updated and can last up to 20 school days if no action is taken,” explained the City of Ottawa.
While OPH is taking action — focused on the 2007 and 2017 cohorts this year — their goal is to ensure parents know how to verify their child’s immunization records.
Ottawa Public Health notes that while primary care providers do not report vaccines, parents are responsible for informing OPH each time their child receives a routine vaccine.
To update vaccine records with OPH, parents can use the onlineImmunization Connect Ontario (ICON) Tool or the CANImmunize App.
Parents should contact their primary care providers to book their child’s vaccines.
For those without a family doctor, some walk-in clinics can administer missing routine vaccines.
Ottawa Public Health notes that children’s routine vaccines are not offered in pharmacies.
Those facing barriers to accessing routine vaccinations can book an appointment at a Kids Come First – Vaccinate and Up-to-Date Clinics.
OPH also offers drop-in clinics at the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.
Click here to learn more about the vaccines required to attend school, how to verify vaccine records, and where to receive vaccines