News Release: September 26, 2019
Region of Peel – Public Health publishes new report on estimated school immunization rates
MISSISSAUGA, ON (Sept. 25, 2019) – The Region of Peel – Public Health today released the new Immunization of School Pupils Act: Estimated Coverage & Non-Medical Exemption Rates, By School report. The report details estimated coverage rates for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunizations and Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) immunizations across Peel schools.
“What the data shows us is that the vast majority of students in Peel are up-to-date on these crucial vaccinations,” said Dr. Lawrence Loh, Associate Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel.
Based on this data, the average estimated coverage in Peel schools is 94.6% for measles, mumps and rubella and 90.8% for diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Slightly lower rates for diphtheria, tetanus and polio are attributable to the additional vaccine dose required for diphtheria and tetanus in adolescence.
The average non-medical exemption rate for MMR and for DTP across Peel schools is 1.8%.
Data in the report is an estimate of the proportion of students that complied with requirements in the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Notably, such school-based estimates of coverage do not reliably approximate school population coverage rates for the following reasons:
- they are estimates for two aggregate groupings of diseases
- reporting information is collected on an ongoing basis and fluctuates throughout the year
- reported data only tracks students born between 2001 – 2011 (ages 7-17)
“This report provides a high-level overview of estimates of coverage within each school, but should not be used to assess individual risks,” said Dr. Loh. “The school environment is only one of many environments where exposure can occur. It’s important to remember that the best defense against communicable diseases is to be fully vaccinated according to the Province of Ontario’s immunization schedule.”
This is the first year the Region of Peel – Public Health has analyzed and published school-level immunization data. Staff will work with the school boards to review the benefits of collecting and sharing this data in the future.
Media Contacts
Lesley HudsonCommunication Specialist
Region of Peel
905-791-7800, ext. 4478
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
