Over 400 Grand Erie students suspended for missing vaccine records

Over 400 students in the Grand Erie region have been suspended over missing vaccine records.

The affected students are in grades 2, 3, 6 and 11.

The suspensions come in the midst of a provincial measles outbreak, which public health officials say is spreading rapidly through unvaccinated community members.

Of the total 461 suspended students, 291 are from Brantford-Brant, and 170 from Haldimand Norfolk.

Grand Erie Public Health says over 2,800 suspension orders were issued earlier this year, but most students were able to update their vaccine status before the suspensions took effect on March 25.

Up-to-date vaccinations are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, which states all children attending public schools in Ontario must be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, and chickenpox.

The act also gives medical officials authority to suspend students who are missing required vaccinations, unless they have a valid exemption.

READ MORE: Over 2,500 Hamilton high school students suspended for missing vaccine records

Grand Erie Public Health plans to set up vaccine clinics in Brantford and Simcoe to allow suspended students to get their records up to date.

Suspended students in Haldimand can visit the temporary vaccine clinic in Simcoe at the Grand Erie Public Health office, located at 185 Robinson St. on Friday, March 28 from 1 – 4 p.m.

For students in Brantford, the vaccine clinic is located at the Lynden Park Mall, Entrance #3 at 84 Lynden Rd.

The Brantford clinic will be open March 25 – 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on March 27 – 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In addition to the suspensions, Grand Erie Public Health is warning the community of another measles exposure location – this time at Houghton Public School from March 17 – 20 during the school day. 

READ MORE:Measles outbreak in Ontario linked to gathering in New Brunswick