Journal Staff
Hundreds of local students will be hit with school suspensions unless parents update their immunization records by May 13, Lambton Public Health warns.
Some 1,100 children were still on the elementary school suspension list as recently as last week. If the records aren’t submitted by the deadline they will be prohibited from attending classes starting Monday, May 16.
"Lambton Public Health wants all children to be in a safe and healthy environment at school, and in order to maintain this all student immunization records must be up to date and on file," said health protection supervisor Erin Courtney.
"Many of the students on the suspension list are not overdue, they just need their records submitted."
Immunizing protects children from highly contagious diseases like meningitis and measles, and protects their friends, classmates and family as well.
Parents can report a child’s immunization status online at www.lambtonhealth.on.ca, via email to [email protected], or by calling 519-383-8331, ext. 3589.
Records can also be dropped off at 160 Exmouth St. in Point Edward.
In Ontario, students must be immunized, in the process of being immunized, or legally exempt to attend school.
Should an outbreak occur, immunization prevents the spread of disease; however, legally exempt children are not allowed to attend school until the outbreak is over.