Secondary school suspensions take effect today

Waterloo Region – This morning, 920 secondary students with out-of-date vaccination records have been suspended by Region of Waterloo Public Health under the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

“Vaccination is the best way to protect against serious illness,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer for Region of Waterloo Public Health. “With the current increase of measles in southern Ontario, it is especially important to strengthen immunization rates among children and youth. Ensuring that students in our schools are protected through immunization also helps to keep the broader community safe and healthy.” 

If you are suspended:

• Book a vaccine appointment with your health care provider or at a Public Health Clinic. Public Health vaccine appointments must be booked online. No walk-ins will be accepted.
• If you have a future vaccine appointment booked with your health care provider, notify Public Health of the appointment through the online form available at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.
• Report any vaccines that have been received from your health care provider to Public Health through the online form at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.
• If you have any questions or need support booking an appointment, call 519-575-4400.
  • Call volume is expected to be high, and you may have to wait.

Background

Routine vaccinations provide protection against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox).

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.

In mid-March 2025, Public Health issued 5,032 suspension orders to secondary school students if their vaccine record was not brought up to date before May 8, 2025.

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. Interpreters are available in over 150 languages.

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