School Suspensions Will Soon Begin for Students Without Up-To-Date Immunization Records

Advisory Alert

January 21, 2025

*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.

To: Local Health System Partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Update on student immunization enforcement for 2025

From February to June 2025, Public Health will enforce student suspensions in accordance with the Immunization of School Pupil’s Act (ISPA). As a first step, parents and guardians will receive a letter from Public Health alerting them to update their child’s vaccinations.

If a student or their parent/guardian provides this letter, follow these steps:

1. Check records: Verify the student’s immunization history. If all required vaccines and doses are listed in the suspension order are up to date, proceed to step 3.

2. Administer missing vaccines: Provide missing vaccines if possible. If you cannot expedite, direct the family to book an appointment with Public Health.

3. Update records: Remind parents/guardians to update the student’s immunization record with Public Health Sudbury & Districts by visiting phsd.ca.

Key Points:

Vaccines required for school attendance are publicly funded according to Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule. No charges should apply for these vaccine or vaccination records.
Some students may be eligible for medical exemptions. The Statement of Medical Exemption form must be filled out by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and submitted to Public Health Sudbury & Districts.
Families declining vaccines required under the ISPA can access non-medical exemption information at phsd.ca.

For immunization inquiries, call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program at 705.522.9200, ext.458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

Additional resources:

ISPA resource guide for health care providers
Ministry of Health Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario
Order vaccines using the routine vaccine order form

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer

NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.

This item was last modified on January 21, 2025