GUELPH – Elementary students who are not up-to-date with childhood vaccines or who have not updated their records with public health, will be suspended for 20 days as of March 20.
And with measles circulating around the province and around the globe, public health would much prefer that parents have their children vaccinated than simply ignore the requirement.
Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), told the board of health at its March 6 meeting that measles is one of nine diseases children are required to be vaccinated against in order to attend school or daycare in Ontario.
Vaccination rates dropped during the pandemic as the public health immunization program was put on hold and families had a hard time getting to their doctor.
Notices went home to high school students late in 2023 and Mercer said only nine students in the WDGPH region are not in compliance.
By contrast, there are currently 2,990 elementary students in the area who are either not vaccinated, have not updated their records, or have not filed a statement that they have made a decision of conscience.
“If everyone had two doses (of the measles vaccine), we would have herd immunity and that would protect those who are unable to have the vaccine,” she said.
Students without the updated records – or the shots – will be suspended for 20 school days, Mercer explained.
After that, “yes, they can still go to school. But if there’s a case of measles in the school, they would have to be suspended again.
Measles is so infectious, if there was one case at school and your child is not vaccinated, they will likely get it.
“It’s airborne and a highly communicable disease,” she added.
Symptoms include a hacking cough, high fever and the tell-tale rash. It can also cause death, long-term blindness, deafness and could impact the immune system.
According to the World Health Organization, one person with measles can spread it to 12 to 18 others.
And the measles virus can remain in a room and viable for more than two hours.
Children who are not vaccinated are not allowed to go to school during an outbreak.
Mercer wouldn’t speculate on whether the anti-vax sentiment that grew to a head during the COVID-19 pandemic, is driving hesitancy.
But according to an Angus Reid poll, one in six parents (17%) are “really against” vaccinating their children, compared to just 4% in 2019.
Similarly about half of those with children younger than 18 say immunization should be their choice, compared to 59% without children who say it should be mandatory to protect the population.
Mercer said with March Break travel, it’s really important that children have the shots before travelling to countries with low vaccination rates.
“Locally, we want to catch everyone,” Mercer said.
“Vaccines are mandatory, they are safe, and they are effective.”
