Updated: Mon Jan. 15 2007 5:18:18 PM

toronto.ctv.ca

More than 1,000 students in Durham Region could be suspended from school by next week if they can't find immunization records to prove they have received the necessary shots.

Letters sent home to parents in November said that Durham District School Board students whose vaccinations are not up to date will be forced to stay home.

The letters were sent by the Durham Health Unit, which says students and their families have had enough time to get the inoculations.

"If they have not, then yes they would be suspended as of January 16," Regina Elliot of Durham Public Health said. "And they may remain suspended up to 20 days or until we receive the information."

The letters came as a surprise to parents and students alike.

"I was quite surprised with a seven-year-old coming home with a suspension notice," Lorrie McCallum said.

She added that her daughter Shelby was crying when she arrived home because the child thought she was being suspended.

"And then I looked over the paperwork and I said, 'Oh my goodness.'"

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine does not agree with the hard line approach.

Dr. Shehab El Hashemy says many people in his profession are against immunization. But he says parents should weigh the pros and cons and then make an informed choice.

"If you're going to chose anything that has any sort of risk potential, you should know about the risk potential before doing that," El Hashemy said.

He added that vaccination side-effects are rare.

To avoid suspension, parents and students need to determine the immunizations they have received and any other they may need. Those records need to be provided to the student's school.

Students can also be exempted from the required vaccinations based on their conscientious objections, religious beliefs or for medical reasons.  Parents must complete a special form and file it with the appropriate medical officer of health.

With a report from CTV's MairiAnna Bachynsky