Bold opening: Toronto Public Health is pausing suspension orders to help students catch up on required vaccinations and stay in school.
News Release
March 3, 2026
Effective immediately, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is adjusting its Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) assessment program for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. This change is designed to ease administrative burdens on families and schools, complete outstanding records, and strengthen immunization coverage across Toronto’s school communities.
What’s changing for the 2025-2026 school year
Under Ontario’s ISPA, routine childhood vaccines or a valid exemption are required to attend school. TPH is currently assessing students in grades two to five in Toronto public schools. At the start of the school year, more than 50,000 student records were not up to date. While many students have since been brought up to date, roughly 30,000 records remain outstanding.
Acknowledging the barriers families face in accessing vaccines and navigating reporting systems, and in line with TPH’s goal of minimizing disruptions to learning, TPH will pause student suspension orders under ISPA for the rest of the 2025-26 school year. The vaccine or exemption requirements under ISPA will continue to apply to all students.
Working with schools and families
TPH will keep partnering with school administrators and families to help the remaining students meet ISPA requirements by the end of the school year. To support this effort, TPH is offering community clinics where OHIP cards are not required, along with clear, multilingual resources on how to submit vaccine records. There will also be exemption education sessions, and public health nurses will connect with families at schools and via phone.
Key actions for parents and guardians
- Check vaccine records: Ensure your child’s records are current by reviewing the Ontario Immunization Record (yellow card) or by logging into Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON).
- Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available through a primary health-care provider or at a TPH community clinic.
- Report vaccinations to TPH: Parents/guardians (or students aged 16 or older) must report the child’s vaccinations to TPH, online via ICON. Health-care providers cannot report vaccines to TPH on behalf of parents/guardians.
- Keep records current: Staying current helps protect students and the school community and prevents missed school days.
Toronto’s backdrop
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity makes the city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most dynamic, livable urban centers. As an Official Host City for FIFA World Cup 2026™, and the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto shines in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation, and climate action. It consistently ranks highly in international comparisons thanks to the collaboration of its government, residents, and businesses. For more information, visit the City’s website or follow the City on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
