BRAMPTON, ON. (August 7, 2008) – As parents are getting their children ready for school, Peel Public Health is asking them to add one more thing to their list – checking their child’s immunizations. Before school starts, parents should ensure that they have reported their children’s most up-to-date immunization records to Peel Public Health.

 

This coming school year, Peel Public Health will be reviewing student immunization records to verify that all students meet the immunization requirements. All children attending school in Ontario must be fully immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella.  Parents may receive a letter from Peel Public Health if their child is missing the required immunizations or if the records have not been updated with the health department.

“Immunization is a simple and effective way to protect children against infectious diseases. All required immunizations are free of charge,” says Dr. Eileen de Villa, Region of Peel Associate Medical Officer of Health.

Parents often believe that their physician updates the immunization records required for school but that is not the case.  Parents are responsible for reporting their child’s immunization record to Peel Public Health and must update it each time their child is vaccinated. 

“These records tell us how many children in Peel are immunized and are important for us in case of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in the community.  We are urging parents who receive the letter from Peel Public Health to respond to us as soon as possible.  Students with incomplete immunization records could be suspended from school,” adds Dr. de Villa.

To find out more about what vaccines are recommended for your child, contact your doctor or call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.

Parents can report immunization record information to Peel Public Health through one of the following:

•       Use an online form at www.immunizepeel.ca

•       Fax record to 905-789-0597 or 905-458-9217

•       Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700, Caledon residents call toll free at 905-584-2216

•       Mail or hand deliver a copy of the record to:

44 Peel Centre Dr., Ste. 102

Brampton, ON  L6T 4B5

Peel Public Health provides immunizations to school-age children who need immunization to register for school but who do not have an Ontario Health Card.  Call Peel Public Health to make an appointment.

For more information on immunization, call Peel Public Health, Monday to Friday, from

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 905-799-7700 or visit www.immunizepeel.ca.


The Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 on the principle that certain community and infrastructure services are most cost-effectively administered over a larger geographic area. The Region of Peel serves more than one million residents in the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the Town of Caledon.

For more information on the Region of Peel, please call 905-791-7800 or visit www.peelregion.ca.

Released by the Region of Peel Police on August 7, 2008 at 14:27