Elementary school suspensions take effect today

Posted on Wednesday March 27, 2024

Waterloo Region – This morning, 2,969 elementary school students with out-of-date vaccination records have been suspended by the Region of Waterloo Public Health under the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of vaccination for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and meningitis. Records of these vaccinations or a valid exemption must be on file with Public Health.

“We have made remarkable progress from the original 27,567 immunization notices we sent to parents in November and December 2023,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health. “Since that time, we have resolved more than 24,500 outdated vaccination records, providing students with valuable protection against these serious and preventable diseases.”

If your child is suspended:

  • You must book an in-person appointment at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.
  • Clinics will be held at 99 Regina St. South, Waterloo and 30 Christopher Dr., Cambridge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Appointment booking will open at 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.
  • Given the high number of suspensions, it may take several days before you can be seen at an appointment and return your child to school.
  • Record submission and questions must be done in person to ensure immediate resolution.
  • When capacity permits, we will look to re-open our online submission portal for vaccination records.
  • If you need help booking an appointment or to have your options explained, you may call 519-883-2020.
    • Call volume is expected to be high and your call may be handled by an automated response service. 
    • Record submission and questions must be done in person, as above.

  

Background

During the pandemic, Public Health saw a decline in vaccine coverage rates in school-aged children.

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

 

 

 

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