It’s time to update your child’s immunization record

Tue, Jan 28, 2025

To help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, Algoma Public Health (APH) has reviewed the immunization records for all students under the age of 18 attending school in the Algoma district. This week, APH will send letters to parents and guardians whose children are either overdue for one or more vaccines required for school attendance or whose immunization records with APH need to be updated. 

 

“Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting our school and communities by reducing the spread of preventable disease. The entire community benefits when our children are up to date on their immunizations,” said Dr. Tuinema, Acting Medical Officer of Health at APH. “Parents can visit our website at www.algomapublichealth.com/ISPA to see how they can start this process,” said Tuinema. 

 

The Immunization of School Pupil’s Act (ISPA) requires all children and adolescents under the age of 18 attending elementary or secondary school to be up to date with the required vaccines in Ontario, or have a valid immunization exemption on file with APH. Students who do not meet these requirements may be suspended from school for up to 20 days. The suspension may be re-issued for additional periods of up to 20 days if the information is not received. 

 

Suspension from school will take place later this spring during the 2024/2025 school year if students have not received all required vaccines, if their immunization records are not up to date, or they do not have valid immunization exemption on file. 

How to update your child’s immunization records 

Please ensure any submission includes your child's full name and date of birth when completing any of the options below: 

1. Enter the vaccine record online at www.algomapublichealth.com/icon
2. Call your local APH office: 
   • Blind River – 705-356-2551 
   • Elliot Lake – 705-848-2314
   • Sault Ste. Marie – 705-759-5409
   • Wawa – 705-856-7208
3. Fax the vaccine record to 705-541-5959 (confidential fax) 
4. Email a picture of their vaccine record to records@algomapublichealth.com

(If you are sending us personal information by email, please be aware that electronic communication is not always secure and can be vulnerable to interception) 

 

More information about ISPA and what to do if you receive a letter from APH is available on our website: www.algomapublichealth.com/ISPA

 

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