As explained on the Vaccine Coverage page, the Ontario Immunization of School Pupils Act states that children attending school in Ontario must be vaccinated against diphtheria, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus, and meningococcal disease, or have a valid exemption. Immunization against varicella (chickenpox) was recently added for children born in 2010 or later. Exemptions may be for rare medical reasons identified by a physician or a personal decision notarized by a Commissioner of Oaths.
Simcoe Muskoka
Technical Notes
Simcoe Muskoka
The figure below shows the number of cases of diseases preventable by routine childhood immunization in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2019. Among these diseases, pertussis (whooping cough) most often had the highest incidence in Simcoe Muskoka because the immune protection for this vaccine decreases over time. For this reason, adults are now recommended to have another dose of “Tdap” vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. In 2019, mumps had the highest incidence due to a local community outbreak.
There have been no cases of diphtheria and polio in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2019. The most recent case of measles was reported in 2014, as well as a single case of Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib).
The incidence rates for diseases preventable by routine immunization in Simcoe Muskoka shows a rate of less than one case per 100,000 population for measles, rubella, Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) for all years since 2000. The incidence rate of mumps showed slight increases in incidence in 2009, 2013 and 2019. Variable incidence rates for pertussis have been observed over the past 15 years. Pertussis incidence generally peaks every five years.
For more information on:
For more local vaccine statistics, see the HealthSTATS pages on immunization.
Technical Notes
There are many factors that influence how many cases are reported to the health unit, as explained on the Infectious Diseases page.
Provincial definitions classify cases as confirmed, probable or suspect based on clinical and/or laboratory diagnostic criteria. The provincial case definition for mumps, pertussis, measles and rubella changed in April 2009 to include a definition for probable cases whereas before there was no such classification. The definitions of confirmed and probable cases from 2009 onward are comparable to confirmed cases before 2009.
In May 2018, all serotypes of Haemophilus influenza were made reportable. Prior to 2018, only serotype b was reportable. The counts on this page only include serotype b.
Pertussis follows a cyclical incidence pattern with peaks observed every three to five years.