Toronto Public Health pauses suspension orders to help students catch up on required vaccinations and stay in school

Effective immediately, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is changing its Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) assessment program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. This decision provides more time to reduce administrative burdens on families and schools, complete outstanding records and strengthen immunization coverage in school communities across the city.   

Changes in 2025-2026 school year  

Under Ontario’s ISPA, routine childhood vaccines or a valid exemption is required to attend school. TPH is assessing students in grades two to five attending Toronto public schools. More than 50,000 student records were not up to date at the start of the school year. While many students have been caught up, there are still approximately 30,000 students who are outstanding.  

Recognizing the barriers families face in accessing vaccination, navigating reporting systems, and in keeping with TPH’s goal of minimizing disruptions to learning by keeping students in school, TPH is pausing student suspension orders under the ISPA for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. The vaccine or exemption requirements under Ontario’s ISPA will remain in place for all students. 

Working with schools and families  

TPH will continue to work with school administrators and families to help remaining students meet the ISPA requirements by the end of the school year. TPH is providing community clinics where OHIP cards are not required, providing clear supports such as "how-to" resources in multiple languages, exemption education sessions and having public health nurses connect with families at schools and over the phone.  

Key actions for parents and guardians  

• Check vaccine records: Parents/guardians need to ensure the child’s vaccine records are up to date. This can be done by checking the Ontario Immunization Record (yellow card) or by logging into Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON).

• Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available through a primary health-care provider or at a TPH community clinic.
• Report vaccinations to TPH: Parents and guardians, or students 16 years of age and older, must report the student’s vaccinations to TPH. This can be done online using ICON. Health-care providers, such as doctors and nurses, do not report vaccines to TPH on behalf of parents/guardians.  

• Keep records current to protect students and the school community and prevent missed school days. 

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