Over 1,000 students suspended in Windsor-Essex over immunization records: WECHU

Students at Western Canada High School have been told to stay home if they are not vaccinated against measles or have just recently gotten their immunization against the disease.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has suspended over 1,000 students due to incomplete immunization records.

“The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) (1990), Section 11, Subsections (1) and (2) require public health units to maintain and review immunization records for every student attending school in Ontario; and to enforce a school suspension on students with incomplete immunization records,” according to a news release from WECHU.

Under the ISPA, some children can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief.

As of Monday, 1,016 Windsor and Essex County elementary students are being excluded from school for up to 20 days or until they have complied with the ISPA. In the fall of 2024, immunization records of all elementary students in Windsor and Essex County were reviewed (45,139 records). As of Monday, about 98 per cent of these students are up to date with the ISPA requirements, and 2 per cent continue to have incomplete records. Students who have been suspended Monday are required to provide the WECHU with records for missing immunizations and/or a valid exemption.

Once a parent/guardian provides the student’s updated immunization information to the health unit:

• The student’s immunization record will be updated in the provincial database,
• The student can return to school immediately (note that an official rescind letter from the WECHU is required for same-day returns), and
• The student will be removed from the school’s suspension list on the next business day.

Services are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the WECHU Windsor and Leamington offices. Families are encouraged to visit www.wechu.org/getimmunized for more information. Updated immunization records can also be submitted online at immune.wechu.org (note that proof of immunization must be provided as an attachment). Families can reach out to their health care provider to receive immunizations and/or obtain missing immunization information. Families can request that their health care provider then fax updated immunization records to the WECHU at 519-258-7288.