For Immediate Release
Monday, November 13, 2023 | 10:00 a.m. | Essex County
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990 requires all students in Ontario to be up-to-date on immunizations. Public health units are to maintain and review vaccine records for every student attending school in their region and those not up to date can be suspended from school for up to 20 days.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has completed its annual review of all elementary and secondary student immunization records. Last year, more than 25,000 students had incomplete immunization records. This year, there are more than 11,000 elementary and secondary school students assessed as having immunization records incomplete for the 2023-2024 school year. These students are either overdue for one or more vaccines or have not submitted their updated records to the Health Unit. Primary care providers typically administer most of these vaccines.
Notices were distributed through the schools to affected students last week. These notices specified which required vaccine(s) are missing from the student’s record and provided information on how to update immunization information with the Health Unit. Options for students and their families include:
- Submitting updated immunization records to the WECHU:
- Secure Online Reporting at immune.wechu.org
- Phone at 519-960-0231 ext. 1222 or 1-800-265-5822
ext. 1222 (toll-free) - Fax at 519-258-7288
- Contacting their health care provider to obtain information and any missing vaccinations.
- Booking an appointment at a WECHU Immunization Clinic:
- The WECHU is hosting clinics at the Health Unit offices by appointment only, starting in mid-December. Public health nurses will be available to update the student’s immunization record and/or administer vaccines if needed. An appointment can be booked online or by calling 519-258-2146 Ext. 1222.
In January 2024, another full immunization records review will be undertaken, and an additional notice will be sent to those students who still have incomplete records. Affected families will have until March 1st (elementary school students) and March 8th (secondary school students) to update their records with the Health Unit. If records are not updated by these deadlines, students will be suspended from school for up to 20 days.
For more information on vaccines and school vaccine requirements, visit the WECHU website.