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Grade 3 and 4 students facing suspension if not immunized

January 30, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

There are just a few days left before Grade 3 and 4 students who are not immunized may be suspended from school classrooms.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, in accordance with the Ontario Immunization of School Pupils Act, will enforce suspension orders for students in Grades 3 and 4 with missing or incomplete vaccination records on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

Under the ISPA, health units are legally required to collect and maintain vaccine records for every student attending school and enforce suspensions for incomplete vaccine information.

As of Jan. 26, there are 1,675 outstanding records. Currently, 88 per cent of Grade 3 and 4 students in Simcoe Muskoka have up-to-date immunization records on file with the Health Unit.

To support students and families, the Health Unit is offering drop-in clinics. This began on Jan. 26.

Students can be seen on a first-come, first-served basis at select locations and times.

Visit the Health Unit’s website for clinic locations and schedules.

When a student is immunized at a Health Unit clinic, their record is immediately updated, and they can return to school immediately.

Students may also receive their immunization through their health care provider, but must report this information to the Health Unit. Reporting immunizations can be done online at smdhu.org.ImmsOnline or by calling the Health Unit at 705-721-7520 ext. 8827.

Having up-to-date immunizations helps to ensure that students have the best protection against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, reduces the risk of outbreaks in schools, and allows the health unit to act quickly to prevent and control outbreaks. 

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