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NEWS RELEASE
WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH
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Region of Waterloo Public Health has issued 8,981suspension orders to elementary school students whose vaccination records are not up-to-date with Public Health. Families now have the remaining five weeks to update vaccination records, obtain vaccines needed or apply for an exemption before the suspension orders take effect on April 2.
The suspension orders were generated on Feb. 4 and are based on the vaccine records reported to Public Health on or before that date.
Routine vaccinations provide protection against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningococcal, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox). Measles is currently circulating in southwestern Ontario and ensuring children are up-to-date will help prevent the spread to Waterloo Region.
“Vaccination protects everyone and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo Public Health. “Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others. The enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act is critical for ensuring the health and well-being of our community.”
In November and December 2024, Public Health sent 12,521 notices to parents with elementary children who had outdated vaccination records. Since that time, Public Health has run vaccine clinics, conducted public outreach, posted social media messages, and worked with school administrators to encourage families to update their vaccination records and get the routine vaccines needed to stay in school.
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of these vaccinations or a valid exemption on file with Public Health.
If you have received a suspension notice:
- Report your child’s vaccines to Public Health
- Contact your health care provider or a walk-in clinic about vaccine availability
- Visit Region of Waterloo Public Health for more information
No further action is required if:
- Your child received vaccination(s) at a Public Health Clinic on or after Feb. 4
- You received confirmation from Public Health that your child’s immunization record is up-to-date
If you have reported an immunization record since Feb. 4, you can view your child’s immunization record to see if they are up-to-date using this link regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccineReporting.
The elementary school suspension date is April 2. Secondary school suspension date is May 8.
Questions? Need help?
- Visit Region of Waterloo Public Health to learn more about school and childcare vaccinations
- Call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400, (TTY) call 519-575-4608. Interpreters are available in over 150 languages
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