Annual Student Immunization Record Review

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. 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.

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 - Completed
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 - Completed
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 - Completed
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:

    • Contact your family doctor
    • Visit a community walk-in clinic (call ahead to check vaccine availability)
    • Call Public Health clinic at 905-688-8248 ext. 7425

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

  • 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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