The public health unit in Windsor, Ont., says it has suspended more than 1,500 high school students because of outdated immunization records.
The Windsor-Essex Health Unit says it is holding clinics throughout the week for routine vaccinations and that students can return to school once their records are updated.
Students or their guardians may submit updated records in person at the health unit offices, or fax them to their primary care provider.
The suspensions come after the health unit issued notices to nearly 8,000 students in August, urging them to update their records by Monday or face a suspension of up to 20 days.
Ontario’s Immunization of School Students Act requires students to be vaccinated against specific diseases, such as polio, measles, tetanus, mumps and diphtheria, to attend school, with some exemptions for religious or medical reasons.
Health units across the province have said routine vaccinations, and the maintenance of related public health records, have been delayed due to two years of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and units have managed clinics to help students catch up.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on September 14, 2022.