Toronto and Ottawa Students Face Vaccine Non-Compliance Risks

Significant numbers of students in Toronto and Ottawa are at risk of suspension due to non-compliance with vaccination requirements. Recent reports from public health units indicate that more than half of the assessed student cohorts have not updated their immunization records for the current school year.

According to a report by The Canadian Press, Toronto Public Health (TPH) sent out approximately 60,000 letters over the summer to parents of Grade 2 to 5 students who had not submitted required vaccination records. As of early October, TPH reported that around 54% of these students—approximately 50,000—remain non-compliant. If records are not updated in the coming months, these students will receive suspension notices.

The situation is particularly concerning among elementary school students. In some grades, as few as 25% of students have current vaccination records. Similarly, in Ottawa, the local public health unit revealed that as of October 12, 2023, about 16,000 students from Grades 2 to 12, representing over 66%, were not compliant.

Ontario mandates that parents submit immunization records to public health units. When records are missing or exemptions are applied for, public health units send letters to those households. This year’s delays in compliance come at a critical time, as misinformation regarding vaccines spreads online, contributing to declining vaccination rates across Canada.

A pressing concern is the ongoing measles outbreak in the country, which has already affected over 5,000 individuals. Canada risks losing its measles-free status, a determination that will be made later this year at meetings held by the Pan American Health Organization. To retain this status, Canada must demonstrate vaccination rates of 95% or higher and prove its capability to identify and contain cases effectively.

Dr. Michelle Murti, Toronto’s medical officer of health, emphasized the importance of establishing a centralized provincial or national registry for vaccination records. She stated, “We’ve been screaming from the rooftops for years on this issue.” Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, Kieran Moore, supports this initiative but recognizes the challenges posed by disparate healthcare systems that manage data differently.

The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced efforts to enhance public access to vaccination records, although a timeline for these improvements has not yet been disclosed. As the situation develops, public health officials continue to advocate for timely compliance to protect the health of students and the broader community.