Ontario parents who buy in to Jenny McCarthy’s anti-vaccination gospel will soon have to sit down for a lesson from public health officials if they want non-medical exemptions for their kids.
Under a law proposed Friday by Health Minister Eric Hoskins, the same rule will apply to families seeking religious exemptions as the province moves to counter outbreaks of measles, mumps, whooping cough and other diseases, with some Toronto schools having vaccination rates under 70 per cent and one as low as 50 per cent.
That’s far below the level needed for herd immunity, which helps protect people who can’t get the shots for valid medical reasons, by limiting exposure, Hoskins said Friday in announcing an expansion of the provincial immunization strategy.
“It takes all of us to protect each of us,” he told reporters, noting about two per cent of the population does not get vaccinated.
“What’s most disturbing to me as a physician and public health specialist is that some Ontarians remain hesitant about having themselves and their children vaccinated, due mostly to the baseless fears spread by a small but vocal group of anti-vaccine activists.”
In Ottawa, public health officials have issued 5,000 suspension notices this month.
The proposed change to the Immunization of School Pupils Act would take effect in September and was applauded by public health agencies and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario — which said vaccines have revolutionized preventative health care.
But the move was questioned by the lobby group Vaccine Choice Canada.
“What they’re attempting to do is pressure parents who are concerned, legitimately so, about addressing risk,” said Heather Fraser, a natural health practitioner in Toronto.
Parents should be sure to read the packaging inserts that come with vaccines to learn about risks, possible adverse reactions and clinical outcomes.
more...
Ontario to toughen rules for vaccine exemptions | Toronto Star
Under a law proposed Friday by Health Minister Eric Hoskins, the same rule will apply to families seeking religious exemptions as the province moves to counter outbreaks of measles, mumps, whooping cough and other diseases, with some Toronto schools having vaccination rates under 70 per cent and one as low as 50 per cent.
That’s far below the level needed for herd immunity, which helps protect people who can’t get the shots for valid medical reasons, by limiting exposure, Hoskins said Friday in announcing an expansion of the provincial immunization strategy.
“It takes all of us to protect each of us,” he told reporters, noting about two per cent of the population does not get vaccinated.
“What’s most disturbing to me as a physician and public health specialist is that some Ontarians remain hesitant about having themselves and their children vaccinated, due mostly to the baseless fears spread by a small but vocal group of anti-vaccine activists.”
In Ottawa, public health officials have issued 5,000 suspension notices this month.
The proposed change to the Immunization of School Pupils Act would take effect in September and was applauded by public health agencies and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario — which said vaccines have revolutionized preventative health care.
But the move was questioned by the lobby group Vaccine Choice Canada.
“What they’re attempting to do is pressure parents who are concerned, legitimately so, about addressing risk,” said Heather Fraser, a natural health practitioner in Toronto.
Parents should be sure to read the packaging inserts that come with vaccines to learn about risks, possible adverse reactions and clinical outcomes.
more...
Ontario to toughen rules for vaccine exemptions | Toronto Star
