Waterloo Region – Just over one week remains before school suspensions take effect for those who have received a notice of suspension from Public Health and have not updated their vaccination records. 

If Public Health has not received up-to-date vaccination records, notification of an upcoming vaccination appointment, or valid exemptions by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 4:30 p.m., students will be suspended from attending school starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025.  

“Our primary goal is to keep children healthy and in school,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo. “If you have not updated your child’s vaccination record with Public Health by suspension day, your child will not be permitted to attend school until their records have been resolved. Given the high number of suspensions anticipated, if you wait until suspension day, it may take several days before your child can return to school.” 

“With a confirmed case of measles in Waterloo Region and active measles outbreaks in surrounding health units in southwestern Ontario, enforcement of the Immunization for School Pupils Act is vital to ensure students are up to date with vaccines,” added Dr. Wang. “When cases occur in Waterloo Region, being vaccinated is your child’s best protection.” 

To keep your child in school: 

• Report vaccines that your child has received at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines. 
• If your child needs a vaccine, book an appointment with your primary healthcare provider and upload your record after vaccination. 
• If you have a vaccination appointment booked with your healthcare provider after April 1, 2025, notify Public Health of the appointment through our online form available at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines. A temporary exemption will be placed on your child’s record to prevent suspension. 
• If you do not have an OHIP card or health care provider, please call Public Health at 519-575-4400. 

No further action is required if: 

• You received confirmation from Public Health that your child will not be suspended. 
• You have already reported vaccine records but not yet received confirmation. Public Health is continuing to process a high volume of record submissions, and you will receive a confirmation email as soon as your child’s vaccination records have been processed. Please do not call or resubmit your records.

If your child is suspended starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (suspension day): 

• You must book an appointment with your health care provider or an in-person appointment at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines to access vaccines through Public Health.  
  • Public Health appointments will be available for booking after 4:30 p.m. on April 1, 2025 
  • Clinics will be held at 99 Regina St South, Waterloo and 150 Main St, Cambridge by appointment only. No walk-ins will be accepted.  
  • You do not need a valid Ontario Health Card to get a vaccine from Public Health  
• If you have any questions, you may call 519-575-4400 to help you book an appointment or explain your options.  
  • 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, Meningococcal, 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 November and December 2024, Public Health sent 12,521 notices to parents with elementary children who had outdated vaccination records.  

At the end of February 2025, Public Health issued 8,981 suspension orders to elementary school students.  As of March 20, 2025, approx. 5,522 students were still not up to date. 

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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