Toronto Public Health Urges Families to Update Student Vaccination Records Ahead of New School Year

📅 1 week ago 🏷️ City of Toronto Municipality

As the new school year approaches, Toronto Public Health emphasizes the importance of updating vaccination records for students, ensuring compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act.

With the start of the new school year drawing near, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is issuing a reminder to parents and guardians regarding the necessity of checking their children's vaccination records. It is essential for families to catch up on any missing routine childhood vaccinations and to report these vaccinations to TPH. In accordance with Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), students must be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or possess a valid exemption.
These routine vaccines, which are aligned with Ontario's Immunization Schedule, offer protection against a range of diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough (pertussis), meningococcal disease, and chickenpox (varicella) for students born in 2010 or later. For the 2026-2027 academic year, TPH will be sending out letters to the parents and guardians of students in grade 2 (born in 2019) and grade 11 (born in 2010) if their vaccination records are incomplete or if a valid exemption is not currently on file.
These communications will inform families that students risk suspension from school if the required vaccination information is not submitted by the designated deadline. TPH is actively involved in evaluating and addressing immunization gaps within the student population. The agency also promotes opportunities for catch-up vaccinations to enhance community protection and prevent the spread of illness among students and the wider community.
Parents, guardians, and students aged 16 and older are tasked with reporting vaccination updates to TPH via Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON), as healthcare providers do not submit vaccination records directly to TPH. To assist families in this process, TPH offers various resources and support services available in multiple languages through their website at www.toronto.ca/StudentVaccines. Additionally, families can reach out via email at [email protected] or call 416-338-7600 during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For students needing to catch up on their vaccinations, they can either contact their healthcare provider or schedule an appointment at one of TPH’s community clinics, with further details available at www.toronto.ca/immunization-clinics-for-students.
Dr. Michelle Murti, the Medical Officer of Health, stated, “Ensuring the health and safety of students in Toronto is at the heart of our work. We know many families are busy preparing for a new school year, and we want to make it as easy as possible to keep children’s vaccine records updated as part of that preparation. We provide support for catching up on any missed vaccines, help with submitting records, and work with families and schools to prevent illness.”
Toronto, known for its vibrant diversity and as a leading economic hub, is home to over three million residents. The city stands as Canada’s largest municipality and the fourth largest in North America, recognized globally for its achievements in technology, finance, culture, and innovation. With ongoing investments from the government, residents, and businesses, Toronto consistently ranks high in international assessments of livability and opportunity. For more information, residents are encouraged to visit www.toronto.ca or follow the city on social media platforms.

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