HALDIMAND — Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has issued suspension orders that will take effect on March 25, 2025 for elementary and secondary school students in Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk who have not met the immunization requirements mandated by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).
The health unit, formerly known as the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit, has been sending reminder notices since July 2024.
A total of 829 suspension orders have been issued to students in Haldimand-Norfolk and to 2,006 students in Brantford-Brant, focusing on those born in 2008, 2013, and 2017. This enforcement is in line with the Ontario publicly funded immunization schedule, which requires routine vaccinations at key stages of childhood development.
The cohorts identified for intervention include students who would have received vaccines at the ages of four to six and again between the ages of 14-16.
Additionally, the 2013 birth cohort was included in Brantford-Brant due to disruptions in enforcement efforts during the pandemic.
GEPH is responsible for collecting and maintaining immunization records for all students under age 18 in the region to ensure high immunization coverage rates, which is crucial in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in schools.
Parents and guardians are urged to ensure that their children’s immunization records are up to date and properly reported to the health unit to avoid suspension from school.
Dr. Malcolm Lock, Acting Medical Officer of Health for GEPH, emphasized the importance of immunization in reducing preventable diseases.
“Ensuring that all students are up to date with their immunizations is crucial for the health and safety of our school communities,” said Lock. “By enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act, we aim to protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases by maintaining high immunization coverage rates.”
Shawn Falcao, Communications Supervisor for GEPH, stated that the enforcement of the ISPA is an annual process with the schedule for assessment of non-compliant students being “planned in the spring before the school year.”
Under the ISPA, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian, not the healthcare provider, to report immunization records. Parents and guardians of students who received a suspension notice but believe their child meets immunization requirements are encouraged to verify their child’s immunization records with the health unit. If immunizations are missing or have not been reported, parents can contact their healthcare provider for documentation.
Immunization records can also be reported online at hnhu.org/immunization_reporting.
Exemptions from immunization requirements are available for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. Parents seeking exemptions must submit the appropriate documentation as outlined by the health unit. Details are available at hnhu.org/health-topic/vaccine-exemptions-affidavits.
For those needing to update immunizations, vaccinations can be obtained through primary healthcare providers or public immunization clinics. GEPH also conducts school-based immunization clinics in secondary schools and at health unit locations. More details on clinics can be found at hnhu.org/health-topic/immunization-3.
Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of these suspension orders on students from low-income or marginalized families who may face greater barriers to accessing immunization services. In response, GEPH has indicated that it works directly with families to support access to immunization services and resolve suspension orders through immunization record reviews, service navigation, and vaccination services.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact the health unit for assistance with immunization records, exemptions, and access to vaccination services before the March 25 suspension date to ensure that students remain in school without interruption.
