KAWARTHA LAKES-Angela Byrne is very meticulous about having her kids vaccinated and keeping their records up to date. When she received a letter from the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit saying her yougest daughter could be suspended from school for not being fully vaccinated she was shocked. It turns the 7 year old daughter received one of her vaccinations three days too early and it didn’t count! Now she’s faced with a tough decision.
Here’s what the Health Unit had to say:
“In the case of Men-C-C (Meningococcal Conjugate C) vaccine, the schedule indicates that “one valid dose administered no earlier than one year of age” is the timing for it. If any vaccine is given too early, even by mere days, it can result in that child not being optimally protected.” Marianne Rock, Manager, Health Protection, with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit told Kawartha 411. “We applaud families that are dedicated to ensuring their children are vaccinated on time. Unfortunately, in cases where the vaccine was given too early, there is little leeway… and we have to follow the law.”
Rock went on to say “Ultimately, we are required to enforce the ISPA which clearly states that vaccines are to be provided as outlined in Ontario’s Publicly-Funded Immunization Schedule. This schedule is science-based and sets out when certain vaccines should be provided to ensure the best immunization response and protection for students. Going forward, we would encourage all families to review Ontario’s Immunization Schedule, so they are informed when children need vaccines.”
Rock says the Health Unit also regularly educates doctors, nurse practitioners and other health care providers about the importance of following Ontario’s Immunization Schedule and sends reminders to health care providers about the potential impact of giving vaccines too early to children and provide this material through things like one-on-one lunch and learns and during their annual vaccine fridge inspection.
Although Byrne says her doctor had no idea.
“We can work with the family to have the child revaccinated… there is no harm in doing this. Alternately, we can direct the family to complete a proper exemption form and complete an education session if required.” Rock explained.
