Ottawa Urges Parents to Update Children’s Vaccinations Before School

As students prepare to return to classrooms across Ottawa, public health officials are stressing the importance of ensuring children are up to date on their vaccinations. Under Ontario law, children attending primary and secondary school must be immunized against various diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, whooping cough, and chickenpox, particularly for those born in 2010 or later, unless a valid medical or religious exemption is provided.

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, emphasized the need for parents to schedule a checkup with their child’s primary care provider before the school year begins. Speaking on CTV Morning Live, he stated, “It is crucial to inform the school about any health needs your child may have, such as allergies that require an EpiPen.”

Key Vaccinations for School-Aged Children

Dr. Roumeliotis outlined three sets of vaccinations that are particularly important. The first is for children aged four to six years, which includes shots for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and whooping cough. He highlighted the significance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, noting a concerning increase in measles cases—over 2,000 confirmed cases in Ontario within the last year. As of mid-August, Ottawa has reported five confirmed cases, many linked to an outbreak that began in October 2022.

For children in Grade 7, essential vaccinations include hepatitis B, meningococcal, and HPV (human papillomavirus). The latter is particularly noteworthy as it can lead to cervical cancer. Dr. Roumeliotis reminded parents that these vaccinations are often available at schools.

The final set of vaccinations is recommended for teenagers aged 14 to 16 years, which includes boosters for whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria. After age 18, individuals should receive a booster for tetanus and diphtheria every ten years, alongside a one-time booster for whooping cough, as cases continue to be reported.

Consequences of Incomplete Vaccination Records

Parents should be aware that failure to provide proof of vaccination can result in their child being suspended from school. Dr. Roumeliotis noted, “We do not want to suspend kids; we want them protected and able to attend school.” Last school year, approximately 3,000 students aged seven and 17 in Ottawa faced suspension due to outdated or incomplete vaccination records.

In many cases, these suspensions arise from missing documentation rather than a lack of vaccinations. Dr. Roumeliotis encouraged parents to check their health unit’s website, where they can submit vaccination records electronically to update their child’s status.

For parents needing information on vaccinations, local public health units provide resources. Ottawa Public Health has detailed information on childhood immunizations available on its website, as do the Renfrew County and District Health Unit and various local health units in the South East Health Unit, covering regions like Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, and Addington.

Dr. Roumeliotis reiterated the community-wide benefits of routine immunizations: “Vaccinations are essential for protecting not only your children but also those around them. The more children who are up to date, the better for everyone.” As the school year approaches, ensuring that children are fully vaccinated is a crucial step in safeguarding public health.