Ontario children will have to prove they’ve been immunized for whooping cough, chickenpox and meningococcal disease before reporting for school in September.

Health Minister Deb Matthews announced the change Wednesday, saying a recent outbreak of measles in Ontario has raised concerns about “protecting kids from potentially deadly diseases.”

Shots for the three diseases are covered under provincial health insurance but Matthews said information on how many children have not been give the shots is not immediately available.

“We’re going to make sure kids going to school have them,” Matthews told reporters.

The new regulation applies to both primary and secondary school students and the requirement for the chickenpox vaccination is only for children born in 2010 or later.

Matthews took aim at actress and daytime TV star Jenny McCarthy, who became an anti-vaccine advocate in the belief her son’s autism was triggered by a vaccine.

“It’s outrageously irresponsible . . . the study she’s referring to has been discredited.”

Three more vaccines for schoolchildren

Toronto Public Health put out a fact sheet last year debunking claims there’s a link between autism and vaccines for measles, the mumps and rubella.

“The science is very, very clear. These vaccinations are perfectly safe and they protect kids, your own kids, other kids and other adults from potentially deadly diseases,” Matthews said.

“This measles outbreak has been a bit of a wake-up call to parents who didn’t like the idea of it; they’re starting to realize now that not immunizing their kids can actually result in their death.”

Dose requirements for tetanus, diphtheria, polio and mumps vaccinations have been updated as well.

Matthews said parents should check with their doctor or local public health unit to make sure their children’s immunization records are up to date.

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Ontario health insurance now funds 21 vaccines to protect against 16 diseases.

Children who need an exemption from immunizations should speak to their local health unit, and may have to be removed from school in the event of a disease outbreak, Matthews said.

“We’ve had a dramatic reduction of diseases as a result of vaccinations. It’s an extraordinary public health success story.”