Nearly 1,800 students in Grey and Bruce counties have been issued suspension notices over their immunization records.

The Grey Bruce Health Unit says parents must provide proof of immunization or a philosophical/medical exemption, otherwise students could be suspended for 20 school days.

Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey Bruce medical officer of health, says, “All students must be up-to-date with immunizations in order to provide a safe school environment for everyone and reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks."

According to officials, 1,762 suspension notices is a high number compared to previous years. In the 2012-2013 school year only 698 notices were issued.

Parents who received notices are asked to submit their child’s immunization information to the health unit by phone, fax or email prior to the first day of suspension, April 20, 2015.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), all elementary and secondary students require proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and new for the 2014/15 school year pertussis, varicella (chicken pox) and meningococcal disease.

For further information, parents can call public health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit the website at: publichealthgreybruce.on.ca