What Happened
Toronto Public Health (TPH) issued a news release on September 2, 2026, reminding parents and guardians to check their child's vaccination record, catch up on any missing routine childhood vaccines, and report vaccinations to TPH before the new school year.
Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires students to be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption. These routine childhood vaccines are based on Ontario's Immunization Schedule and protect against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), meningococcal disease, and varicella (chickenpox) for students born in 2010 or later.
For the 2026-2027 school year, TPH is sending letters to parents and guardians of students in grade 2 (born in 2019) and grade 11 (born in 2010) if required vaccination records are missing or a valid exemption is not on file. The letters advise that students will be suspended from school if the required information is not submitted by the specified deadline.
TPH assesses and addresses immunization gaps in the student population and promotes catch-up opportunities to increase population protection with the goal of preventing illness and spread of infection among students and the broader community. TPH provides families with many opportunities to update their child's vaccination records or provide a valid exemption before any suspension takes place. Students whose records remain incomplete will receive a suspension order before active suspensions begin.
Official Original Text
> With the new school year fast approaching, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is reminding parents and guardians to check their child’s vaccination record, catch up on any missing routine childhood vaccines, and report vaccinations to TPH.
> Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption.
Who Is Affected
- Families with school-aged children in Toronto, especially parents or guardians of students in grade 2 (born in 2019) and grade 11 (born in 2010) for the 2026-2027 school year.
- All students in Toronto whose vaccination records are incomplete or who lack a valid exemption may face suspension.
- Parents or guardians and students aged 16 and older are responsible for reporting vaccinations to TPH.
Effective Date
The official page does not specify an effective date, but the news release was published on September 2, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year. Specific deadlines will be provided in letters from TPH.
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