BlackburnNews.com file photo. (Photo courtesy Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit)BlackburnNews.com file photo. (Photo courtesy Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit)
Windsor

School suspensions start today for kids who are not vaccinated

Some classrooms may be missing a few students because their immunization records are not up to date.

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit said 578 students from senior kindergarten to Grade 5 are suspended, but their parents can still submit their up to date records.

They need to have their immunization record faxed to the health unit or submitted online by their doctor or health practitioner. They will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As soon as health officials receive the records, they can call the school principal, and those students will be allowed to return.

The health unit is also holding a series of immunization clinics this week and next at the health unit's location in Windsor at 1005 Ouellette Ave.

Required vaccinations are for pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, and chicken pox.

About 3,200 students born between 2008 and 2013 had incomplete records when notices were mailed out in June. As of August, 2,300 final notices were sent out.

Students with a medical condition that prohibits them from receiving a vaccination can be exempt with a note from their doctor. Those parents requesting an exemption based on conscientious or religious beliefs will have to attend an educational session.

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