Families are encouraged to check that their child’s routine vaccination records are up to date and reported to Public Health.

Starting October 30 and continuing through December 2026, Region of Waterloo Public Health will send notices to families of elementary and secondary school students whose vaccination records are missing or incomplete, as part of the annual enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

ISPA requires all elementary and secondary school students to have proof of vaccination for nine diseases or a valid exemption on file with Public Health. These routine vaccinations provide protection against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningococcal, pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox).

“Vaccination helps protect children, families and communities from serious and preventable diseases,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo. “Keeping vaccination records up to date also helps Public Health respond quickly to outbreaks and limit the spread of illness.”

Important dates for families

The timelines below give families time to update records, catch up on missing vaccinations, or submit a valid exemption before suspension dates.

Even if a child has received all the required vaccines, Public Health may not have their complete vaccination record on file.

Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting their child’s vaccinations directly to Public Health. Vaccination information from health care providers is not automatically shared with Public Health.

Secondary school students

• October 30, 2026: Requests for vaccination records were mailed to families.
• January 8, 2027: Suspension notices will be mailed to families whose records remain incomplete.
• February 15, 2027, at 4:30 p.m.: Deadline to submit vaccination records or valid exemptions.
• February 18, 2027: School suspensions take effect for students who remain non-compliant with ISPA requirements.

Elementary school students

• Starting November 12, 2026: Requests for vaccination records will be mailed to families.
• February 25, 2027: Suspension notices will be mailed to families whose records remain incomplete.
• April 5, 2027, at 4:30 p.m.: Deadline to submit vaccination records or valid exemptions.
• April 8, 2027: School suspensions take effect for students who remain non-compliant with ISPA requirements.

For more information about your child’s vaccination records, how to report vaccines, submit valid exemptions and more, visit regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.

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