After reviewing immunization data, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) found that coverage of some vaccines had fallen significantly. This has prompted health officials to create mandatory campaigns to keep thousands of students up to date on mandatory vaccinations.
MLHU’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alex Summers, said:
School vaccinations are compulsory to prevent nine diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease and hepatitis B.
“The reason we are doing this is to ensure that our communities are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases,” Summers said. I think it’s ironic that you use suspensions to keep your kids in school, but a deadline actually works.”
early January, Parents with children attending local schools received notifications Advise you to get the necessary vaccinations.
“This year, we’ve divided all the kids who haven’t broken records into six different groups,” Summers explained Wednesday. “We’re working on six different groups from January through May. So we did the first group in January and we’re working on the second group in February.”
Some 3,000 to 4,000 students have been vaccinated with the necessary vaccines since the suspension notices were sent out on January 18, Summers said.
“For me as a parent, one virus after another, my children,” said Carol Dyke. “I know schools are breeding grounds for germs, and measles and meningitis outbreaks are the last thing I want to do.”
The health department added that students who have not been vaccinated will be affected by the suspension unless their child qualifies for an exemption.
Waivers include medical waivers or conscientious waivers. To qualify for these waivers, paperwork must be completed, Summers said.
“There are always options available to people. The only option not available is not participating in the process at all,” he said.
London District Catholic School Superintendent Dan Peters said the health department was coordinating with school principals.
“We want to avoid suspensions,” he said, adding that this may have been the first time a student had been in such a situation as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed annual vaccinations. explained.
“I think there are a lot of other things going on in the family, so every year, there’s a situation in the family where the kids aren’t getting the latest vaccinations. I think the pandemic has exacerbated that,” Peters said. Told.
MLHU has sent out another notice stating that the second round of school closures will begin two weeks from Wednesday, February 15th.
