A recent situation has raised important questions about children's medical information privacy in schools. A Grade 1 student in a small, rural public school was recently sent home with Alberta Health Services (AHS) documents related to "missed vaccinations" during COVID-19. These documents, which included the child’s name and personal health number, were distributed via the school to facilitate catch-up vaccinations.
While these forms appear to aim to ensure children receive immunizations such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMR-Var) and Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis, and Polio (Tdap-IPV), they have sparked concerns regarding privacy and the broader implications of administering health services in schools.
Key concerns include:
Privacy of Medical Information: Sharing personal health information, such as vaccination status and individual health numbers, through schools raises questions about the principle of medical confidentiality. Questions arise about why schools are involved in distributing such sensitive documents and who within the school has access to this information.
Risk of Ostracization: Marking "REFUSED" on the form could lead to the child being identified by peers or teachers as unvaccinated. Parents worry this could result in their children being ostracized or outed unnecessarily, exacerbating stigma or discrimination.
MRNA Vaccination Concerns: Parents also expressed unease about whether these vaccines include mRNA components, adding to broader concerns about vaccine transparency and informed consent.
Lack of Direct Medical Professional Involvement: Many argue that decisions regarding vaccinations should be made directly between families and healthcare providers. Some believe schools should not be intermediaries in these decisions, particularly in light of growing concerns about vaccine autonomy, safety, and privacy.
This situation underscores the need for a public discussion about the intersection of health services and education. While ensuring children are vaccinated is the current public health policy, respecting and protecting their privacy is even more critical. Policies around health information distribution in schools need to be revisited to ensure they align with reasonable expectations of privacy and informed consent.
What do you think? Should schools act as facilitators for vaccinations, or should this process be confined to healthcare providers and families?
The documentary The Shot: Sean Hartman’s Story is coming to Ontario.
This is more than a film, it’s a fundraiser and a fight for truth, accountability, and justice.
Join Dan Hartman as he continues his legal battles in pursuit of answers for his son, Sean, and challenges the systems that failed to provide them. Your support helps fund the expert witnesses, legal work, and court costs required to keep this fight moving forward.
🎬 Ontario World Premiere Screenings
📅 February 8–12
📍 Full dates and locations available at: http://SupportSean.ca
Watch the trailer. Share the story. Stand for justice.
Join Paula & Jay over Tea & Coffee as they talk about the news of the day, life, and whatever comes up. Special Guest: Bruce Pardy
Folks,
Paula and I are beat after a long night showing The Shot and driving home.
We'll see you tomorrow.
Hi all,
Paula and I are taking a mid-week day off.
See you tomorrow with Frances Widdowson.
Stay warm, God bless.
Paula & Jay on the @TheLavigneShow are two of my favorite people. I am a supporter because I believe in their honesty, integrity & most of all their dedication to truth & the Alberta Independence Movement. I wrote a song about our quest for freedom, it is called My Alberta Home. You can find a demo of the song on my X page Michael Kosterman @MichaelKosterm2
We are headed into the studio later this spring to record a Radio Version of this song. Thank you Paula & Jay for all that you do. I will be coming to see you soon at one of your events! All my best & God Save Alberta!
