While no cases have been reported in Waterloo Region yet, a measles outbreak that started in October continues in Ontario. So far, over 200 cases have been reported in the province, double the number reported between 2013 and 2023 combined. This comes at the same time Waterloo Region Public Health staff released a notice stating that nearly 9,000 children in the region need to get their vaccination records up to date or face suspension in early April.
Radio Waterloo spoke with David Aoki, the director of infectious disease and chief nursing officer for Region of Waterloo public health as well as Zahid Butt, assistant professor in the school of public health sciences at the university of waterloo and canada research chair in interdisciplinary research for pandemic preparedness to learn more about measles, and why people might be hesitant to vaccinate their children.
by: dan kellar
Waterloo – Nearly 7,000 secondary school students in Waterloo Region have been told they will be suspended on May 1st for having out-of-date vaccination records. The order, from Region of Waterloo public health was announced on April 8th and follows the suspension of 2969 elementary school students on March 27th for the same issue.
The suspensions are allowed under the Immunization of School Pupils Act which, as the Waterloo Region District School Board told CKMS News “requires families and caregivers to ensure that their children receive specific vaccinations.” Students without a medical or ideological exemption must be up to date on up to 9 vaccines. COVID Immunization is not on the required vaccine list.
David Aoki, the Director of Infectious Disease and Chief Nursing Officer for Region of Waterloo Public Health spoke with CKMS News about the seemingly high number of suspensions, and how students and families can get suspensions lifted.
