TDSB Issues Multiple Suspensions to Unvaccinated Students

By Dara Jerde

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has begun suspending students who are not up-to-date on their mandatory vaccinations, marking a significant enforcement of Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Today, the suspensions took effect across 21 secondary schools, impacting 173 Grade 11 students, with thousands more potentially facing similar consequences in the coming days.

According to Toronto Public Health (TPH), a total of 10,157 TDSB students have been identified as non-compliant with the ISPA, which mandates vaccinations against nine diseases—including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus—for students 17 years of age and younger attending school in Ontario. The suspensions began today as part of an active enforcement phase following months of warnings and opportunities for families to update their children’s immunization records.

TPH reported that it assessed the vaccination records of 24,678 students born in 2008 starting in the fall of 2024. Initially, only 26% were found to be current on their vaccines. After sending letters to 18,320 students and their families with incomplete records, compliance improved to 59% by February 24, 2025. However, with over 10,000 students still lacking proper documentation or vaccinations, TPH escalated its response by issuing suspension notices.

“Today, 21 secondary schools began active suspension,” TPH confirmed in a statement. “On April 8, 2025, 173 students will be suspended.” The suspensions can last up to 20 school days, though TPH emphasized that students do not need to serve the full term if they update their vaccinations or provide a valid exemption. “Toronto Public Health’s goal is to help students catch up on their vaccinations and avoid missing school,” the agency noted, adding that it continues to offer support through community clinics and outreach efforts.

The ISPA allows for exemptions based on medical reasons or a sworn Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief, accompanied by a required education session. However, for students without such exemptions, suspension remains the consequence of non-compliance. Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting vaccination records directly to TPH, as healthcare providers are not required to do so. Despite this, some families have either failed to comply or encountered difficulties navigating the process, leading to today’s actions.

The TDSB, Canada’s largest school board, has faced challenges balancing public health mandates with educational continuity. While the board itself does not oversee the vaccination enforcement—leaving that to TPH—it must comply with suspension orders issued by the Medical Officer of Health. This wave of suspensions follows a period of heightened scrutiny on school safety and health policies, with the TDSB previously implementing measures like mandatory staff vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reactions to the suspensions have been mixed. Some parents argue that the measures are necessary to protect public health, especially amid ongoing concerns about vaccine-preventable diseases. Others, however, view the suspensions as overly punitive, citing logistical barriers to vaccination or personal beliefs as reasons for non-compliance. TPH has urged families who believe their records are up-to-date but still received a suspension notice to contact its immunization helpline for clarification.

As of 6:00 PM EDT today, the situation remains fluid, with the potential for more suspensions as TPH continues its enforcement campaign. The TDSB and TPH are working together to minimize disruptions, but the scale of non-compliance suggests that this issue may persist in the coming weeks. For now, the focus remains on encouraging vaccination uptake to ensure students can return to class swiftly and safely.

For families affected, TPH has reiterated that updating records or getting vaccinated can lift suspensions early. With clinics available and online reporting options through Immunization Connection Ontario (ICON), the path to compliance is accessible—though the clock is ticking for thousands of TDSB students still at risk of exclusion.

Dara Jerde is a a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at dara.jerde@veritasexpositae.com