Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Update your child’s immunization information
Ottawa - Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding parents and guardians of school-aged children to update their children’s immunization information with Ottawa Public Health.
OPH is required by provincial law to collect and maintain the immunization information for all students in the city of Ottawa. Students attending school must be fully immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps and rubella or have a valid exemption. Parents often believe that doctors are responsible for updating immunization information required for school but that is not the case.
“It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to provide proof of immunization for these publicly funded vaccines directly to OPH”, says Dr. Nadine Sicard, Associate Medical Officer of Health for OPH, “In order to keep up-to-date immunization information, we need parents’ help – this step is almost as important as getting your child immunized.”
It is easy to update immunization information. Following immunization, please notify OPH in one of two ways:
- use the online form on the OPH website at ottawa.ca/health
- mail or drop off a copy of your child’s immunization record to: Ottawa Public Health Immunization Program, 100 Constellation Drive, 7th Floor West, Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8
Do not send original documents – send a copy!
The following information is required to successfully update your child’s immunization information with OPH:
- Child’s name
- Child’s date of birth
- Parent’s/Guardian’s name and phone number
- Name of the vaccine
- Date the vaccine was given
During the 2009-2010 school year, OPH distributed approximately 20,000 letters to parents of students who did not meet immunization requirements. Students with incomplete immunization information and no valid exemption may face exclusion from school as per the provincial legislation.
For routine immunization:
Visit your family physician or a walk-in clinic. If you do not have a family physician you can call Health Care Connect at 1-800-445-1822.
For information on walk-in clinics in your neighbourhood, call the Ottawa Public Health Information Line at 613-580-6744.
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