PORT HOPE, ON (March 4, 2024) – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) is pleased to announce its continued progress on the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to ensure children who attend school are up to date with their vaccinations or have a valid exemption on record with the Health Unit.

On March 4^th, the HKPR District Health Unit will be mailing first notices to parents of students in kindergarten (both Junior and Senior), Grade 2, and Grades 4-8, whose children are overdue for required immunizations under the ISPA or do not have a valid exemption on record. Suspension orders will be sent on April 29^th with implementation of suspensions beginning May 13^th.

"With March break fast approaching, it's important to ensure children are up to date with all their vaccinations, particularly the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine," emphasizes Marianne Rock, Manager of the Health Protection Division at the HKPR District Health Unit. "With recently identified cases of measles in Ontario, it is imperative that children receive the MMR vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, in Ontario, with doses administered at 12-15 months and 4-6 years. Adhering to the vaccination schedule ensures optimal protection for our communities.”

Parents/guardians are urged to act now to ensure their child’s immunization records are up to date to avoid any disruption to their education. This may require scheduling a vaccination appointment with their family doctor or the Health Unit if they do not have a family doctor. This proactive approach will help ensure that students remain compliant with school immunization requirements for the 2023-2024 school year.

To ensure children's immunization records are current, parents and guardians are advised to take the following steps:

1. Check: Verify your child’s immunization record for any missing vaccines by visiting the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON)
2. Vaccinate: Arrange for your child to receive any missing vaccinations. This can be done by contacting your family doctor or if you do not have a family doctor the HKPR District Health Unit to schedule an appointment for vaccination or to obtain a valid exemption.
3. Update: Submit your child’s updated immunization record to the HKPR District Health Unit using one of the following methods:

• Online through Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON)
• By phone at 1-866-888-4577 x 1507
• By fax at 905-885-5352
• By email at immunization@hkpr.on.ca (please note that email submission requires consent for the transmission of personal and/or personal health information).

For more information or assistance with updating immunization records, please contact the HKPR District Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 x1507.

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