Hundreds of Ontario Students Suspended Over Vaccination Status
Hundreds of students across Ontario have been suspended from school due to incomplete vaccination records, following a renewed enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).
As of March 17, 1,252 students in Hamilton, Ontario remained suspended for not having up-to-date immunization records, according to an email from the City of Hamilton. Under ISPA, students must have a current vaccination record or a valid exemption on file with local public health authorities. Failure to comply can result in suspensions of up to 20 days.
Dr. Brendan Lew, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Hamilton Public Health Services, confirmed the enforcement, stating that suspensions had been on hold for several years but were reinstated this year. The last time students faced suspensions for incomplete immunization records was during the 2018/2019 school year.
In fall 2024, over 11,800 notices were sent to students across Windsor-Essex, warning of potential suspensions due to overdue vaccinations or missing immunization records. As a result, 618 secondary students and 129 elementary students remained suspended as of March 17.
Students in Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph also faced similar deadlines.
Both the Child and Early Years Act and ISPA mandate immunization reporting for students in Ontario’s public schools and child care centers. Public health officials stress that students must either have complete vaccination records or file exemptions to comply with these regulations.
Source: The Epoch Times
Find more info and forms for Ontario school vaccine exemptions HERE
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