Annual review of student immunization records is beginning

Advisory Alert

December 4, 2025

*Cette information est seulement disponible en anglais.

To: Local health system partners

FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Public Health will begin reviewing student immunization records as per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) for the 2025-2026 school year in December. Under the ISPA, students must be vaccinated against certain diseases or have a valid exemption to attend school. Health care providers should anticipate increased immunization appointment requests between December 2025 and March 2026.

When a family presents a Public Health notification letter:

Review immunization records: Check the student’s vaccination history. If all required vaccines listed in the Public Health notice are up to date, proceed to step 3.
Administer missing vaccines: Provide any outstanding vaccines. If you cannot provide them promptly, encourage the family to book an appointment with Public Health.
Update records: Remind parents and guardians to report updated immunization information to Public Health.

Required vaccines are free through Ontario’s publicly funded immunization schedule (Government of Ontario, PDF). Families should not be charged for vaccines nor for documentation confirming immunization records.

In some cases, a child may be exempt from immunization requirements due to medical or non-medical reasons. For medical exemptions, a form must be completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner and submitted to Public Health.

2025-2026 timeline

December 2025: Public Health will send notification letters to parents and guardians of students who are not up to date with required vaccines.
February 2026: Suspension orders will be issued for students who are missing some vaccines or documentation of exemptions.
March 2026: School suspensions will begin.

Resources

View the resource guide for health care providers (PDF).
Order vaccines using the routine vaccine order form (PDF).
Direct any health care provider or parent questions about the notification letters to522.9200, ext. 458.

Sincerely,

Original Signed By

M.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 December 4, 2025