Getting Waterloo Region students up-to-date on vaccines
Do you have kids in school? Have you received a letter from Public Health telling you that your child is missing a vaccination?
There are about 22,000 elementary school students and 10,000 secondary school students in Waterloo Region whose vaccine records are not up to date. Public Health is launching a campaign to help students get the vaccines that they need, and their records updated to stay in school.
During the pandemic, Public Health saw a decline in vaccine coverage rates in school-aged children. Routine vaccinations provide protection against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Meningococcal, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Varicella (chickenpox).
The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of vaccination or a valid exemption on file with Public Health.
If your child is not up to date and does not have a valid exemption, they will be suspended from school until their records are complete.
Here’s what you need to do:
Book a vaccine appointment
Appointments are available for any student who needs to catch up on their routine vaccines. Public Health clinics are located at 99 Regina Street South in Waterloo and 30 Christopher Drive in Cambridge.
Book a catch-up appointment online today.
You can also contact your health care provider or a walk-in clinic for vaccine availability.
Report your child’s vaccines to Public Health
It’s your responsibility to report your child’s vaccines to Public Health if they received their vaccines from a health care provider. The good news? It’s easy to do online!
All you need is a copy of their vaccination record from your health care provider and your child’s health card number (if applicable). Watch the video below for instructions on how to report.
Report your child’s vaccines online here.
Vaccination protects kids and community
Vaccination protects kids and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease. Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others.
Learn more about school and child care vaccinations
We’re here to help! If you have questions about vaccines and vaccine reporting:
- Call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TTY) call 519-575-4608
- Interpreters are available in over 150 languages
