FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. | Windsor-Essex County
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) (1990), Section 11, Subsections (1) and (2) require public health units to maintain and review immunization records for every student attending school in Ontario; and to enforce a school suspension on students with incomplete immunization records. In the fall of 2025, immunization records of all secondary students in Windsor and Essex County were assessed by the WECHU (20,359 records). Effective March 31, 2026, 99% of all secondary students in Windsor and Essex County (WEC) are up to date with the ISPA requirements.
In accordance with ISPA (1990), Section 11, Subsections (1) and (2), 221 secondary students have been suspended from school for having incomplete immunization records. This represents a notable reduction in suspensions compared to previous year, reflecting the strong WEC community dedication to keeping students protected from vaccine preventable disease.
Students who have been suspended today are required to provide the WECHU with records for missing immunizations and/or a valid exemption. Once a student/parent/guardian provides the student’s updated immunization information to the health unit:
- The student’s immunization record will be updated in the provincial database,
- The student can return to school immediately (note that an official rescind letter from the WECHU is required for same-day returns), and
- The student will be removed from the school’s suspension list on the next business day.
The WECHU is here to help affected families. Services are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at our Windsor and Leamington offices. Families are encouraged to visit www.wechu.org/getimmunized for more information. Updated immunization records can also be submitted online at immune.wechu.org (note that proof of immunization must be provided as an attachment).
Families can reach out to their health care provider to receive immunizations and/or obtain missing immunization information. Families can request that their health care provider then fax updated immunization records to the WECHU at 519-258-7288.
Elementary Suspension Update
Today, 18 elementary students remain suspended since March 10, 2026.
Elementary students remaining on the suspension list may return to school once they have received required missing immunizations and/or missing immunization record(s) are provided to the Windsor Essex County Health Unit.
For additional information on school immunizations and the suspension process, visit the WECHU website.