Public health issues suspension orders to 18K elementary students in Waterloo Region

Region of Waterloo Public Health has issued suspension orders to more than 18,000 elementary school students for having out-of-date vaccination records.

The orders were issued on Feb. 1 and the deadline for elementary school students to comply, or apply for an exemption, is Mar. 27.

Public health has been working to get local students caught up on their routine inoculations, under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA).

Students in many communities are behind on their required ISPA shots because of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

While there’s been some leeway, that’s now come to an end.

Region of Waterloo Public Health has been offering catch-up vaccination clinics and previously issued suspension notices to thousands of students.

Despite the efforts, close to 22,000 local elementary students were still behind as of Jan. 15.

As of Feb. 1, the number was only reduced to 18,643.

It’s also a problem among high school students as 10,000 were behind in Waterloo Region as of a month ago.

Local secondary students have a suspension deadline of May 1.

Information on how to book a catch-up vaccination appointment or submit updated vaccination records can be found by clicking here.