Annual Student Immunization Record Review

Key dates to help you stay on track.

By law in Ontario, Public Health must have an up-to-date immunization record or valid exemption on file for each student under 18 years of age attending school. This is part of the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

Public Health checks these records annually to help protect students and schools from diseases that can spread easily.

Watch our video to learn about annual student immunization record review.

About the letter you received from Public Health

This important information is to help you report missing vaccination to Public Health. If the student's record is complete, you will not be contacted.

  • Students four to six years of age receiving a second immunization record reminder notice

    All missing records should be reported to Public Health by March 9, 2026. If we don't have all of your child's information, Public Health may contact you again for any missing information.

  • Students seven to 17 years of age receiving a suspension order

    An order for suspension means that action is required to avoid school suspension. Students and their families have time to submit missing immunization records to Public Health before the suspension period begins. All missing records should be reported to Public Health by March 9, 2026.

    If you submitted missing immunization information after the "Order for Suspension from Attendance at School" was issued and mailed, you may still receive the suspension order. Call Public Health at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425 to confirm whether the suspension order is still in place.

What happens if no action is taken

If the student's record (seven to 17 years of age) is still not up to date by March 23, 2026, that's when they may be suspended from school starting March 24. The suspension may be up to 20 school days.

Key dates

We want to help you stay on track. Here's what you can expect:

Fall 2025 - Completed
Public Health begins reviewing student immunization records

November 2025 - Completed
Families with missing records receive a notification letter from Public Health

January 2026 - Completed
Families who have not updated the record receive an order for suspension (students seven to 17 years of age) or a reminder notice (students four to six years of age). Families still have time to update records before the suspension period begins.

January to March 2026
Missing records should be submitted to Public Health by March 9. Processing may take up to five business days.

In-school vaccination clinics offered at participating secondary schools. Secondary students who receive a suspension order from Public Health can attend the clinic at their school.

March 10 to 23, 2026
If the March 9 deadline was missed, continue to submit missing records to Public Health. However, processing may be delayed. Contact Public Health if you need support.

March 16 to 20, 2026
Public Health offers March Break clinics to students seven to 17 years of age who have received a suspension order

March 24, 2026
Suspension period begins for students seven to 17 years of age. Students with incomplete records may be suspended from school for up to 20 school days or until the information on file with Public Health is complete.

Suspended students can return to school after confirmation from Public Health. This may be through a phone call between the school and Public Health or a notice issued to the student by Public Health saying the suspension is lifted.

Next steps

Take action today:

  • Review the letter you received from Public Health
  • If vaccination information is missing, follow the steps in the letter to update the student's record
  • Contact the vaccine team if you have any questions. If you speak a language other than English, call us and let us know the language you speak or the country you are from. We will add an interpreter to the phone call. We're here to help.
  • Why you received a letter from Public Health

    If you received a letter, it means the student listed in the letter does not have a complete immunization record or Public Health does not have a record on file.

    The letter is sent:

    • To parents or guardians if the student is under 16
    • Directly to the student if they are 16 or older

    Common reasons for the letter:

    • The student received vaccines but we do not have the records
    • Some vaccines may still be needed
    • A valid exemption form is not on file

    Check the immunization record reminder notice Public Health sent you in November 2025. This shows which vaccines are missing from our records. Bring the immunization record reminder notice to your health care provider. They can help you confirm if the student needs vaccines or if the record just needs to be updated.

    If the student record is blank, it means we have no vaccination information at all for the student and a record needs to be submitted. If you don't have access to your child's previous immunization record, call Public Health at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425 to speak with a vaccine nurse.

  • Immunizations required by law to attend school in Ontario

    Unless the student has a valid exemption, all students under 18 years of age who attend primary or secondary school must be immunized against:

    • Diphtheria
    • Tetanus
    • Polio
    • Measles
    • Mumps
    • Rubella
    • Meningitis (meningococcal disease)
    • Whooping cough (pertussis)
    • Chickenpox (varicella) - required for children born in 2010 or later

    Learn about Ontario's free routine vaccine program.

  • How to report or update immunization records

    You can update the student's record in one of these ways:

    • Online: Use Immunization Connect (ICON)
    • In person: Drop off a copy of the record in a sealed envelope at any Public Health office. Label it "Attention Vaccine Preventable Disease".
    • By phone: Call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7438
    • By email: Email vpd@niagararegion.ca. This is not a secure method, so limit personal health details.

    It can take up to five business days to process and update immunization records. We recommend submitting records as soon as possible to avoid delays.

  • If the student still needs a vaccine

    If the student needs a vaccine, you can:

    Find out where to get vaccinated.

    Vaccinations received from a doctor or walk-in clinic will need to be reported to Public Health so we can update their record.

  • Secondary school vaccination clinic schedule

    Secondary students can attend the vaccination clinic at their school if they received a suspension order from Public Health.

    • Students will be offered the vaccines they are missing according to the November 2025 immunization record reminder notice
    • As hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are not part of the immunization record reminder notice, they will not be routinely offered. Eligible students can contact their health care provider or a walk-in clinic. Call ahead to discuss vaccine availability.

    Students should bring their personal immunization record (yellow card) on clinic day. Students can only go to the clinic at their own school.

    When buses are cancelled or schools are closed, school vaccination clinics will also be cancelled. Parents and legal guardians will be told by their child's school if the clinic is being rescheduled.

    Report vaccines received from Public Health to your health care provider, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Vaccinations received at a school clinic don't need to be reported to Public Health.

    2026 clinic dates will be posted as they are confirmed.

    Secondary school clinics start at 9 a.m.

    Secondary schoolClinic date (9 a.m. start time)
    Notre Dame College SchoolMonday, Feb. 9
    Lakeshore Catholic High SchoolTuesday, Feb. 10
    Port Colborne High SchoolTuesday, Feb. 10
    E.L. Crossley Secondary SchoolWednesday, Feb. 11
    Smithville Christian High SchoolWednesday, Feb. 11
    Sir Winston Churchill Secondary SchoolThursday, Feb. 12
    Thorold Secondary SchoolThursday, Feb. 17
    École St. Jean de BrebeufThursday, Feb. 17
    Stamford CollegiateWednesday, Feb. 18
    École Secondaire Franco-NiagaraWednesday, Feb. 18
    St. Catharines CollegiateThursday, Feb. 19
    Eden High SchoolFriday, Feb. 20
    Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary SchoolMonday, Feb. 23
    Eastdale Secondary SchoolMonday, Feb. 23
    Greater Fort Erie Secondary SchoolTuesday, Feb. 24
    DSBN AcademyTuesday, Feb. 24
    St. Michael Catholic High SchoolWednesday, Feb. 25
    West Niagara Secondary SchoolThursday, Feb. 26
    Welland Centennial Secondary SchoolFriday, Feb. 27
    Governor Simcoe Secondary SchoolMonday, March 2
    Laura Secord Secondary SchoolTuesday, March 3
    Fort Erie International AcademyWednesday, March 4
    Holy Cross Catholic Secondary SchoolThursday, March 5
    Niagara Christian CollegiateThursday, March 5
    St. Francis Catholic Secondary School Friday, March 6

    Vaccines are medical treatments. In Ontario, the Health Care Consent Act sets out certain rules on when consent is needed for treatment and how it must be obtained.

    A person can give consent if they:

    • Understand what the vaccine is and why it is needed
    • Understand the risks of saying yes or no
    • Make the decision freely, without pressure

    For more information, contact the vaccine team.

  • March break vaccination clinic schedule

    Students who have received a suspension order can attend a March break vaccination clinic. A parent / legal guardian must also attend to provide health history and consent.

    Students do not have to attend the school where the clinic is being held.

    Limited appointments will be available through our online booking system late February / early March. Walk-ins will be accepted. Arrive early, as space is limited and late arrivals may not be accommodated.

    Before the clinic

    Students should bring their personal immunization record (yellow card). If students have received vaccines from a health care provider other than Niagara Region Public Health, it's important to report their vaccinations before the clinic. Report vaccinations by:

    Families with no record on file with Public Health who bring immunization records to these clinics can drop off their records, but there may not be enough time for them to get vaccinated.

    After the clinic

    Report vaccines received from Public Health to your health care provider, such as a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Vaccinations received at a March break vaccine clinic don't need to be reported to Public Health.

    LocationDate Time
    West Niagara Secondary School (Lincoln) Thursday, March 12 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

    St. Philomena Catholic Elementary School (Fort Erie)

    		 Monday, March 16 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Lakeshore Catholic High School (Port Colborne)

    		 Tuesday, March 17 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Harriett Tubman Public School (St. Catharines)

    		 Wednesday, March 18 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

    Westlane Secondary School (Niagara Falls)

    		 Thursday, March 19 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

    Eastdale Secondary School (Welland)

    		 Friday, March 20 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Delaying or declining vaccination

    If you choose not to vaccinate for medical reasons or personal beliefs, you must submit a valid exemption.

    Once an exemption has been applied:

    • You will not get reminders about the vaccines the student is exempt from
    • Public Health will not contact you about those vaccines again

    If you plan to vaccinate later, you can:

    • Ask your health care provider which vaccines are still needed
    • Contact the vaccine team about a catch-up schedule for missed vaccines
  • Why immunization records are important
    • They are required by law in Ontario
    • They protect the student and others
    • They help us act fast during an outbreak
    • They help stop the spread of diseases in the community
  • Who needs to report immunization records

    This review applies to:

    • All school-aged students under 18 years of age
    • Students who are newly registered in junior or senior kindergarten
    • Students new to Ontario

    Schools do not collect immunization records. Parents and guardians must send them directly to Public Health.

  • Personal health information

    All personal information or personal health information submitted is collected under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990 c.H.7, s.5 and the Immunization of School Pupils Act, R.S.O. 1990, s. 11(1) and its regulations.

    This information is collected for the purpose of assessing, keeping records and reporting on the immunization status and exemptions of children going to schools in Ontario. It is maintained electronically in a provincial immunization information system provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

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