Over 1,000 high schoolers suspended for out-of-date vaccination records

Another round of suspensions in local schools, for out-of-date vaccination records, this time at the secondary school level.

Region of Waterloo Public Health saying 1,428 students are out of class Wednesday.

In a release, Public Health officials say, “The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of vaccination for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and meningitis.”

Two weeks ago, the suspension number was significantly higher, with over 4,200 students at risk of suspension.

“The vaccines required under the act help to prevent serious infections and are important to maintain teenagers’ health and protect them from disease,” says Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Region of Waterloo’s medical officer of health.

There are a few ways to get the required vaccinations.

This includes heading to an open clinic, booking an appointment, or reach out to your family doctor.

Back in March, nearly 3-thousand elementary students were suspended for out-of-date vaccination records.