It just got easier to report your child's vaccinations

The Sudbury and District Health Unit is trying to make it easier for you to report your child's vaccinations.

Soon, parents and guardians with school-aged children will begin to receive reminder notices of the need to report their child's vaccinations to the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

The notices provide information about each student and the vaccinations that are not up-to-date or for which the health unit does not have a record on file.

And now, parents can report the vaccinations without leaving the house.

"This year we've put in place a new online process to allow parents and guardians to report their child's vaccinations," said Shannon Dowdall-Smith, a manager in the Health Unit's Clinical and Family Services Division.

"Parents can still call in, fax, mail or drop off their child's record, but now, they can also simply take a picture of their yellow immunization card or fill out an online form and submit it at their convenience."

Report online here. 

The vaccinations required to attend school protect against diphtheria, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, pertussis, and varicella (chickenpox).

"As a parent and public health professional, I know that vaccinations are critically important to health, but I also know that life is busy," said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury and District Medical Officer of Health. "We hope that our new online reporting will ease parents' job of reporting to public health."

Quick facts:

-Vaccines are safe, and vaccination is still the most effective way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in schools.

-The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires that all students aged 4 to 17 years who attend school receive certain vaccinations and that their parents or guardians report the vaccinations to their local public health unit, or that they submit a valid statement of exemption for medical reasons, reasons of conscience or religious beliefs.

-Students who do not have up-to-date vaccination records can be suspended from school for 20 school days.

If parents or guardians believe they have received a reminder notice in error, they are encouraged to contact the Health Unit to have their record promptly reviewed and updated as necessary.

Parents and guardians can also phone the health unit to speak with a public health nurse if they have questions about their child's vaccinations at 705-522-9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200).