January 27, 2026

NO VACCINES…, NO SCHOOL… FOR STUDENTS, SAYS HEALTH UNIT AS OF FEB. 3

SIMCOE MUSKOKA — A schools and health unit crackdown next week on kids aged eight and nine spells the end of classes for them if they don’t have their vaccination records in check.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) says that in accordance with the Ontario’s Immunization of Schools Pupils Act (ISPA), they will enforce suspension orders for students in Grades 3 and 4 with missing or incomplete vaccination records.

It says that 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. 276 there are 1,675 outstanding records in Simcoe County and Muskoka District.

That’s 88 percent of Grade 3 and 4 students with up-to-date immunization records on file with the health unit.

To support students and families, the health unit began offering drop-in clinics yesterday.

Students can be seen on a first-come, first-serve 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 easily be done online at smdhu.org/ImmsOnline or by calling the health unit at 705-721-7520 ext.8827.

The health unit says 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.

For more information about routine and required vaccines given to students and the diseases they prevent, please visit smdhu.org or call the health unit at 705-721-7520 ext.8827.