September 14, 2022 • 25 minutes ago • 2 minutes to read • Join the discussion A vial of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is seen in this 2019 file photo taken in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Lindsey Wasson/Reuters
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The deadline for secondary school students to update their vaccination records has passed – and now more than 1,500 students across Windsor-Essex have been suspended from their respective schools.
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The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit announced Wednesday morning that a total of 1,519 students are being suspended, starting Wednesday, until they can show complete immunization information. Sign up to receive daily news headlines from the Windsor Star, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
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“Individuals and families were informed about the vaccine verification process on multiple occasions and had many opportunities to be informed,” said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, District Medical Officer of Health. “The health unit recognizes that this is potentially upsetting for young people and families, but I also think it needs to be recognized that there was a lot of communication … well in advance of the day of suspension.” Nesathurai noted that “vaccination helps young people throughout their lives” and the vast majority of the district’s high school students — numbering about 19,000 — are now up to date on their shots.
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“In that way, we should look at this as a positive,” Nesathurai said. As previously announced months ago, Windsor-Essex high school students had until Sept. 12 to provide updated immunization records to the health facility or face suspension. Under Ontario law, the Immunization of School Students Act requires those in elementary and secondary education to be vaccinated against a number of communicable diseases, namely: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, whooping cough cough) and varicella (chicken pox) for those born in 2010 or later.
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Immunization against such diseases is usually carried out through a school-administered vaccination programme. However, the discontinuation of in-person attendance over the past two years due to COVID-19 precautions has resulted in many students skipping their vaccination schedules. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has been campaigning since the beginning of the year to raise awareness of the issue and provide catch-up vaccination opportunities. Despite the 1,519 suspensions, Nicole Dupuis, the outgoing CEO of WECHU, said she still believes the health unit has made “incredible progress” in its campaign — “considering … in June, when we sent out notices, there were over 13,000 (students without – Current immunization records). “We’ve come a long way, considering where we started,” Dupuis said. The health unit reminds the public that student immunizations continue to be available through the WECHU offices in Windsor (1005 Ouellette Ave.), with no appointment required. Visit wechu.org/getimmunized for more information. Any parent wishing to update a student’s immunization record can also visit the WECHU offices in Windsor or Leamington (33 Princess St.) and submit evidence. Office hours are 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Updated files can also be submitted online through immune.wechu.org.
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Thank you to all parents, guardians and students who made appointments and updated immunization records. Happy school year with health! pic.twitter.com/W6p4HaMO6O — WEC Health Unit (@TheWECHU) September 14, 2022
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