Ontarians seeking vaccine exemptions for their children would be required to attend an education session, according to legislation introduced by the provincial Liberal government.
If passed, the legislation would require parents to complete an education session offered by their local public health unit before children are exempted from getting vaccinated.
The legislation would also require health-care providers to report to the public health unit what vaccines are given to children, in an attempt to reduce school suspensions over out-of-date immunization records.
It falls on parents or guardians to ensure children’s vaccination records are up to date, so the change would reduce that burden while strengthening the reporting system.
Eric Hoskins, minister of health and long-term care, said last December that such changes were coming under the province’s Immunization 2020 strategy aimed at strengthening Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program.
“Choosing to vaccinate your child protects them from disease, and it protects vulnerable children who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons. That’s why it’s important for parents to keep their children’s immunizations up to date,” Hoskins said Thursday in a statement.
“If passed, the proposed amendments to the Immunization of School Pupils Act would help parents and guardians make informed decisions about vaccination.”
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, children must have received certain vaccines before they can attend school in the province, or have a valid exemption. These vaccines include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough) and meningococcal disease. For children born in 2010 or later, the vaccine regimen includes varicella (chickenpox).
Earlier this year, public health units across the province warned parents about potential suspensions over out-of-date immunization records.
- On March 1, Toronto Public Health sent letters to the families of 45,000 elementary and high school students following a review of immunization records.
- Also March 1, public health officials in Ottawa issued another round of suspensions for students over out-of-date records. Between Dec. 15, 2015, and March 1, 2016, Ottawa Public Health issued suspension letters to 7,350 students, ordering them to stay home until their parents submitted proof they had received the required vaccines.
Details about the pre-exemption education sessions will be developed during consultations with public health units “and other stakeholders,” according to the statement from the ministry.
Meanwhile, parents who are unsure if their children’s immunization records are up to date are urged to contact their local public health unit.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/vaccination-legislation-1.3580593
“If passed, the proposed amendments to the Immunization of School Pupils Act would help parents and guardians make informed decisions about vaccination.”
You can’t exempt your child from vaccinations unless you attend a BS seminar that convinces you how great they are. Please educate yourself on vaccines, and don’t expect an ounce of truth from ANYONE in ANY government.
How people ever came to trust their government in the first place is beyond me, but that’s possibly because I don’t subject myself to the government brainwashing.
I had to take an online course through the Oregon Government website to exempt my child this year. In years past it was a simple signing of a form. Now you sit through an hour long online course and submit certificate to child’s school officials. I did it. It’s his last year so easy decision. And yes they try every way they can to get you to believe that shots are the way to go. Completely biased and slanted to the immunization perspective. For 18 years I have been trying to get parents to at least consider the alternative to shooting their child up with all this crap. But not a one has paid any attention. Pearls before swine.
Be a $hit-stirrer! Bring credible anti-vaccination handouts at the meeting! Make ’em mad as hell an get your certificate of attendance and flip ’em off on your way out!
Mine are homeschooled , but if I had to go, ID bring a stack of articles on how horrible vaccines are and a tonne of proof they are sickining and killing our kids.