A lot of the 1,300 kids who received suspension notices for missing immunization records are headed back to school today.
Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health with the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit tells myFM its the first time they’ve had to send the notices out in a while. The last time was before the pandemic.
She says the health unit had a good response to the letters, and a number of families simply had not known that they needed to specifically notify them of their child’s vaccination status.
She also notes that the schools and healthcare providers in our region have been fantastic in working with the health unit and with the families they serve to get these records sent in.
Dr. Li says that kids go back to school within the 20 school days, but parents should take note.
Dr. Li add that having high coverage rates among students not only reduces their risk of contracting a disease, but also helps to protect those around them.
She adds the Health Unit doesn’t want to suspend kids and their public health focus is on overall health for kids, which includes going to school.
You can listen to the complete interview with Dr. Li below.