News

Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has enforced school suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). As of today, 291 students in Brantford-Brant in cohorts 2008, 2013, and 2017 and 170 students in Haldimand-Norfolk in cohorts 2008, 2016, and 2017 have been suspended from school.

The goal of the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) in Ontario is to protect the health of children and prevent disease outbreaks in schools by ensuring students are immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases.

2,813 suspension orders were issued to students by GEPH in January-February and after ongoing outreach, communication, and immunization clinics, 84 per cent of suspension orders have been rescinded, resulting in 16 per cent of students who received a suspension order facing suspension today.

Grand Erie Public Health will be actively supporting suspended students to update their immunization records, receive required vaccines, or register for a valid exemption and return to school as soon as possible.

For suspended students in Brantford-Brant, Grand Erie Public Health will be at the Lynden Park Mall, Entrance #3, 84 Lynden Rd., Brantford to provide record assessment and catch-up immunizations on Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Parents can drop in with their child or book an appointment by calling 519-753-4937 ext. 451.

For suspended students in Haldimand-Norfolk Grand Erie Public Health will be offering a suspension vaccine clinic at the GEPH Simcoe office, 185 Robinson St., Simcoe, on Friday, March 28 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. In addition, vaccine appointments will be available on a request basis out of the GEPH Simcoe office from Tuesday, March 25 through until Friday, March 28. Parents interested in arranging a suspension vaccine appointment can call 519-426-6170 ext. 3214 or email [email protected].

For more information about the school suspension vaccine clinics visit www.bchu.org/ispa and www.hnhu.org/ispa. Vaccine records can be submitted to GEPH, at www.bchu.org/emunization and www.hnhu.org/immunization_reporting.

Quote(s)

“Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to protect our children and community from serious diseases. Given the ongoing measles outbreak in Southwestern Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act is even more important now to safeguard the health and well-being of our students. Let’s work together to keep our schools safe and healthy.” – Dr. Adelle Chang On, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Grand Erie Public Health

Grand Erie Public Health

Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) is one of Ontario’s public health units. GEPH formed in January 2025 when the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit merged. We are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of communities within the County of Brant, City of Brantford, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County. Our work is guided by the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Ontario Public Health Standards, ensuring that our programs and services meet the highest standards of public health practice. We are committed to fostering healthy communities through prevention, education, and health promotion, while working in collaboration with local partners to address the unique needs of our diverse populations.  

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