Three weeks left to update vaccination records before school suspensions

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – Families have three weeks left to update their child’s vaccination records, obtain vaccines needed or apply for an exemption before elementary school suspension orders take effect on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

In mid-February, Region of Waterloo Public Health issued 18,643 suspension orders under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to elementary school students whose vaccination records were not up to date with Public Health. 

As of March 5, 2024, 10,453 vaccination records remain outdated - approximately two-thirds of which are children aged four to seven years (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 2). Because annual enforcement of ISPA did not take place during the pandemic, this is likely the first time parents in this age range are going through the process. Public Health encourages them to contact public health or their primary care provider if they have questions.

During the month of February, Public Health responded to more than 10,000 online record submissions and emails, over 2,500 phone calls and administered over 2,500 vaccinations.

“Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your child’s vaccination records are up to date,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health. “Plan ahead to avoid missing days of school and waiting in long lines.”

“With increased global measles activity and recent cases of measles in Ontario, it is very important to ensure your children are protected against this serious and preventable disease. The measles vaccine is part of the routine vaccinations required under the Immunization for School Pupils Act.”  

 

 Report a vaccine to Public Health  

If your child has received the vaccines listed on the Immunization Notice:  

  • Report them to Public Health. Due to a high volume of vaccine records being submitted, please allow for 5 to 7 business days before inquiring about updated records.  
  • Please only submit your child’s record once, we will follow up directly if your child’s record is not up to date. 
     

Get a vaccine  

If your child has received an Immunization Notice and needs a vaccine, you have the following options: 

  • Book an appointment with your primary health care provider. If you cannot get an appointment before March 27, 2024, and your child is in elementary school:   
    • Please book an appointment with your doctor to update your immunizations at the earliest possible time.
    • Then, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines to notify Public Health of the appointment date (if after March 27, 2024). Public Health will place a temporary exemption on your child’s record to ensure they won’t be suspended on March 27.  
  • Due to high demand, appointments at Public Health Clinics may not be available.  If an appointment is unavailable, contact your primary healthcare provider. If you don’t have an OHIP card or a primary healthcare provider, call Public Health at 519-575-4400.  

 

Check vaccine record status 

If you have reported an immunization record since February 1, 2024, you can view your child’s immunization record to see if they are up to date using this link regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccineReporting. Please note: it may take five to seven business days before an updated record appears. 

The elementary school suspension date is March 27, 2024. Secondary school suspension date is May 1, 2024.   

Questions? Need help? 

  • Visit the 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 

 

 

Background

During the pandemic, Public Health saw a decline in vaccine coverage rates in school-aged children. Routine vaccinations provide protection against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Meningococcal, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Varicella (chickenpox). 

In November and December 2023, Public Health sent 27,567 notices to parents with children who had outdated vaccination records. Since that time, Public Health has run catch-up clinics, conducted public outreach and launched a marketing campaign to encourage families to update their vaccination records and get the routine vaccines needed to stay in school. 

The last time ISPA was enforced in Waterloo Region was in 2019 with approximately 1,032 students suspended at that time.

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. 

 

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