Public Health informing parents of delay in suspensions under Immunization of School Pupils Act

HAMILTON, ON – Hamilton Public Health Services will be delaying the enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act requirements for students born between 2006 and 2009 (grades 9-12).

In January 2024, students in grades 9-12 with overdue vaccination records, or without valid medical, religious or conscientious exemption records on file, were mailed Orders under the Act, and were to be suspended from school starting the week of March 4, 2024. Students who were at risk of suspension due to overdue vaccines and vaccine records should plan to continue to attend school the week of March 4, 2024.

While enforcement through suspensions is currently delayed, we are strongly recommending students with overdue vaccinations and records continue to take steps to become up-to-date. Immunizations are one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions as they protect individuals from the harmful effects of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles.

Catch-up clinics scheduled for students

Public Health is offering catch-up clinics for students with overdue vaccinations or records on March 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12, 2024. These clinics will be held at 110 King Street West, Hamilton on the plaza level, from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 3:45 pm. Clinics will close for lunch between 12 pm and 1 pm. We would strongly encourage students with overdue vaccination records to attend these clinics.

The City of Hamilton is experiencing a cybersecurity incident that has disabled some of our information and technology (IT) systems. The City has taken swift action to investigate the incident, protect systems and minimize the impact, which are key priorities as the City continues to manage this incident. A dedicated team of experts has been working as quickly as possible to get the City’s system up and running in a safe and secure manner.

As a result of this cybersecurity incident, there are impacts to our Vaccination Program, including our work related to the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Hamilton Public Health Services are currently unable to receive or access updated student immunization records which are being sent to Public Health fax or from those attempting to contact the program via phone. The delay in suspensions is in response to the ongoing difficulty that parents/guardians and students may be experiencing in reporting vaccinations to Hamilton Public Health due to this disruption. Vaccination records can still be submitted via traditional postal mail or through the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) portal at hph.icon.ehealthontario.ca.

As the school year progresses, Hamilton Public Health Services will reassess and plan to resume enforcement including school suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Further information will be shared with schools, parents/guardians and students as the planning continues.