As Mississauga students settle back into class after the winter break, Peel Public Health is warning that school suspension notices are going out to students whose vaccination records are not up to date.

In a Jan. 7 update to local doctors and other health professionals, the health unit said suspension notices are being distributed to students in grades 2 to 6 and grades 9 to 12 who lack updated immunization documentation. Suspension orders are being mailed from January through April 2026.

Why records matter

The notices are issued under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act, which requires students to have up-to-date immunization records, or a valid exemption, on file with public health. In Peel, that covers students in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

The update was signed by Dr. Hetal Patel, an associate medical officer of health with Peel Public Health. It reminds health-care providers of several requirements that commonly trip up families:

  • Meningococcal vaccine: students in junior kindergarten to Grade 6 need one dose of a meningococcal C vaccine, and students in grades 7 to 12 need one dose of the Men-C-ACYW135 vaccine, usually given in Grade 7. The health unit says Men-C-ACYW135 is available free of charge for high school students.

  • Chickenpox (varicella): students born on or after Jan. 1, 2010 need two doses, normally given at 15 months and between ages four and six. Students with documented past infection after 12 months of age can seek a medical exemption or be vaccinated.

  • Polio: the health unit says it is not enforcing polio requirements for the 2025-2026 school year, but providers should still review each child's history. Oral polio vaccine doses given after April 1, 2016 are considered invalid, and an age-appropriate series of the inactivated vaccine should be given instead.

Expect busier clinics

Peel Public Health is also asking health-care providers to keep about a month's supply of vaccines on hand, because it expects demand to rise as notices reach families.

Families who receive a notice should check whether their child's vaccinations have been reported to Peel Public Health and update the record if needed, or book an appointment with a health-care provider for any missing doses.

Health-care providers with questions can contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or toll-free at 1-888-919-7800.