New Report Reveals Local Student Vaccination Rates Above Provincial Average
Written by Communications, August 13, 2020
Local Parents & Guardians Strongly Support Mandatory Student Immunizations
According to a new report released yesterday by Public Health Ontario, local student immunization rates for the 2018-2019 academic year are higher than the provincial average.
“These higher rates reinforce what we’ve known for a while, that a solid majority of local parents and guardians support mandatory student vaccinations,” said Patti Fitzgerald, Manager of Infectious Disease Programs at Peterborough Public Health. “It’s wonderful to see families in Peterborough region continue to do their part to keep their children and our community safe.”
Fitzgerald noted that high vaccination rates across a population are essential for protecting communities against vaccine-preventable disease. She emphasized that vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent disease.
In the Immunization Coverage Report for School Pupils in Ontario: 2018-2019 School Year, it shows local youth have higher rates than the Ontario average for all infancy and early childhood immunizations. These include high vaccination rates for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, meningococcal disease, haemophilus influenzae disease, pneumococcal disease, varicella (chickenpox), and pertussis (whooping cough).
Fitzgerald encourages parents/guardians to speak with their healthcare provider or call Peterborough Public Health to ensure their child is up to date on all immunizations. To update a child’s vaccination record parents/guardians are reminded to contact the health unit by calling 705-743-1000, ext. 139. They can also ask healthcare providers to fax immunization information to Peterborough Public Health. Parents and guardians can also review records or submit updates online via the secure portal found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and searching for “update your child’s record”.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391