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Immunization of School Pupils Act – School Suspensions 


In Ontario, as per the Immunization of School Pupils Act, all students between the age of 4-17 must provide proof of routine childhood immunization with Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningitis, and Varicella (for children born in 2010 and after) in order to attend school.  This information is used to help protect students and the public in case there is a vaccine preventable disease outbreak in our community. The Health Unit is mandated to enforce the Immunization of School Pupils Act, and assess the immunization status of children in accordance with the Immunization for Children in Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings Protocol, 2018.

Each year, the Brant County Health Unit assesses the immunization records of students around the age of 7 and the age of 17 to ensure students are compliant with immunization requirements. Students who fail to provide proof of immunization, or a valid exemption, may be suspended from school for up to 20 school days. This year (2022-2023 school year) the focused cohorts were the following birth years: 2005, 2006, 2014, 2015.

 A first assessment of immunization records is completed in July and 1st notices sent out to students whose records with the health unit are incomplete. This 1st notice provides information on how to obtain any missing immunizations and/or update immunization records with the health unit.  A second assessment of records is completed in January/February and 2nd notices sent out to students whose records are still showing incomplete. The 2nd notice is sent with a school suspension order which will take effect on April 13th, 2023.

Important Note

School suspension effective April 13 for 2005 cohort

The Brant County Health Unit recognizes that given the challenges in accessing primary health care and immunization services during the COVID-19 pandemic, more time may be needed for students to update their immunization records with public health and/or catch up on these mandatory immunizations. As a result, at this time the Brant County Health Unit has decided to only enforce school suspensions for students with a birth date in 2005 as this is their final year of high school and our last opportunity for intervention. Please note, deferral of school suspension for students with a birth date in 2006, 2014 and 2015 is temporary. These students may continue to attend school at this time but will remain eligible for suspension at a future date until their immunization record is updated, or a valid exemption is on file. An updated suspension order will be sent out when applicable.   

If you have contacted the Health Unit after receiving a notice letter and are waiting for a call back, please be aware that we are currently receiving a high volume of calls. We will return your call as soon as possible and ensure your child's immunizations are reviewed and updated as needed, but please be advised that this may take several days.  

To serve you better please leave one message with the following information:

  • Child's name (with spelling)
  • Child's date of birth
  • Your daytime phone number
  • Detailed question

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Reminders: 

  • Only students that are missing information/vaccines will receive a letter
  • Students require a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis between 14-16 years of age
  • It is the parent or caregiver's responsibility to report their child's immunizations to the Health Unit, physicians are not required to do this and often do not

  • You can view and report your immunization records to the Brant County Health Unit atwww.bchu.org/emunization  

  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccines is currently not a requirement to attend school and does not need to be reported.