Suspensions issued for 1,351 elementary students in Waterloo Region

Elementary students coats and boots are seen in a school in Edmonton on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Suspensions have been handed out to more than 1,300 elementary students in Waterloo Region because their caregivers failed to update their vaccination record.

The suspensions went into effect Thursday.

According to the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), students must get their shots for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox).

Parents are also required to share their child’s immunization records with their school board.

If they don’t, or fail to file a valid exemption, the student may be suspended.

Region of Waterloo Public Health said letters were sent out to the parents of 9,234 elementary students earlier this year, reminding them to update their child’s records.

That number had dropped to 7,065 by March.

As of the May 6 deadline, 1,351 suspensions were issued in Waterloo Region.

Public Health said that was consistent with historical trends.

“Vaccines help protect children from serious illness,” Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region’s medical officer of health, said in a media release. “Keeping students up to date with their vaccinations is an important part of protecting the health of our community.”

Students who were suspended can return to the classroom once their records are current.

Public Health said they can help with updating records, or make sure students have all the vaccines they need. Anyone with questions can contact the unit at 519-575-4400.