Addressing the School Vaccination Backlog: Peel Region’s Public Health Concern

Peel Region’s public health authority has sounded the alarm regarding a significant backlog in routine school immunizations and enforcement, attributing this issue to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Peel Public Health’s annual review presented to the Peel Region council on April 11, 2023, this backlog is causing an increase in infectious diseases in Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon.

The agency emphasized the urgent need to address the post-pandemic catch-up of routine school immunizations, estimating that it could take several years to clear this backlog. One of the major challenges highlighted in the report is the enforcement requirements under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990, which the agency believes will not be met for several years.

Peel Public Health highlighted the inefficiencies in the provincial records system, missed doses, and unreported vaccinations during the pandemic as contributing factors to the significant backlog of required immunizations. The agency cited measles as an example of the infectious diseases on the rise due to this backlog.

To tackle this issue, Peel Public Health proposed a health promotion strategy aimed at reminding parents of their responsibility to report immunization records of school-aged children to public health. Additionally, the agency identified “vaccine fatigue” post-COVID-19 pandemic as another challenge requiring increased public awareness and education efforts, which would necessitate additional funding.

The report also shed light on ongoing staffing challenges and chronic underfunding from the provincial government, with Peel Public Health receiving one of the lowest per capita funding rates among public health units in Ontario. In 2022, the agency was funded at approximately $34 per capita compared to higher rates in Hamilton, Toronto, and Ottawa.

Peel Public Health emphasized the need for multi-year strategies, additional resources, and increased funding to address the backlog of routine childhood and school immunizations effectively. The agency urged for decisive action to prevent further escalation of infectious diseases in the region.