Public Health News

  • 2026 Notice of Pesticide Use

    Between June 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, municipalities within the Region of Waterloo will be conducting a larviciding program under the authority of the Region of Waterloo Medical Officer of Health to prevent the development of mosquito larvae into vectors of West Nile Virus.

  • Elementary school suspensions take effect today, May 7, 2026

    This morning, 1,351 elementary students with out-of-date vaccination records were suspended under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Students who have been suspended can return to school once their vaccination records are up to date, or a valid exemption is on file. 

     

  • Parents of elementary school students: update your child’s vaccine records by May 4 to avoid school suspension

    Elementary school suspensions will take effect on Thursday, May 7, 2026, for those who received a suspension order from Public Health. This applies to elementary school students who do not have up-to-date vaccination records or a valid exemption on file by Monday, May 4, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. 

  • Secondary school suspensions take effect today

    Waterloo Region - This morning, 704 secondary students with out-of-date vaccination records were suspended under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). "Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect your child from serious illness," said Dr.

  • Secondary students: Update your vaccine records now to avoid school suspension Waterloo Region - Secondary school suspensions will take effect on Thursday, April 9, 2026, for those who have received a suspension order from Public Health and have not updated their vaccination records or have a valid exemption on file by Monday, April 6, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
  • Collaborative partnerships key to progress on community-based strategies addressing addictions and overdoses Waterloo Region - Progress on addressing addictions and overdoses continues to be made through a coordinated, community-based approach in Waterloo Region. Today, Region of Waterloo Public Health and community partners presented an update at the Community and Health Services Committee on the related programs, strategies and substance-use data trends.
  • Time to make sure your child’s vaccines are up to date Waterloo Region - Families are reminded to make sure their child's routine vaccination records are up to date and reported to Public Health. Region of Waterloo Public Health is working to keep our school communities safe from vaccine-preventable diseases with the annual enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).
  • New system will help paramedics respond faster when seconds count Waterloo Region - People across the Region of Waterloo who need urgent medical help will get it even faster with the December 4 launch of a new Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). This new software system is ready to help send Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services to the most life-threatening emergencies first.
  • New Paramedic Services dispatch system will modernize emergency response: The Medical Priority Dispatch System will ensure the most urgent emergencies receive the fastest care Waterloo Region - Starting December 4, 2025, calls for Paramedic Services in Waterloo Region will be triaged and dispatched using a new Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS). This new system, already implemented by the Ministry of Health in many municipalities across Ontario, is designed to ensure paramedics are dispatched more quickly to urgent, life-threatening emergencies, improving response times and patient outcomes.
  • First local case of West Nile virus reported in 2025 Waterloo Region - Public Health has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) for 2025 in Waterloo Region. The last local case was reported in 2024.
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Region of Waterloo
150 Frederick St.
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4J3
Telephone: 519-575-4400
Fax: 519-575-4481

For general inquiries:
Regionalinquiries@regionofwaterloo.ca