Two students in Peel Schools were suspended over issues related to their vaccination records, despite being fully immunized. The first case involved Andrew Steeves, a father from Brampton, whose son was suspended from Jefferson Public School after Peel Public Health claimed they had not received proof of vaccinations.
Background on Health Records Submission
In Peel Region, parents must submit their child’s vaccination information to public health authorities. This process involves uploading an image of the yellow immunization card received from a physician or submitting a formal exemption for medical, religious, or conscientious reasons. Non-medical exemptions require parents to attend a mandatory education session.
Details of the Suspension
Steeves submitted his son’s immunization records multiple times, especially on October 1 and November 20. However, after receiving a letter dated December 3 from Peel Public Health notifying him of his son’s suspension for non-compliance related to diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccinations, he became concerned. The suspension was slated to begin on January 8.
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
- Steeves attempted to update the vaccination records on December 27 and January 5.
- Despite this, he received an automatic notification on January 8 to pick up his suspended son from school.
After contacting the school principal and seeking guidance from a family doctor, Steeves managed to have the records fully updated. Following a call from Peel Public Health, the suspension was rescinded, allowing his son to return to school.
Current Suspension Statistics
As of January 13, Peel Public Health reported that about 2,350 students within the Peel District School Board (PDSB) remained suspended due to non-compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act. In total, over 5,397 students faced suspension related to their immunization records, although 3,047 students had since returned to the classroom.
Public Health Response
Peel Public Health stated that schools must suspend students whose vaccination records are not up to date. They provide families with a three-month notice to correct any discrepancies. The health unit also acknowledged a backlog in processing records and assured the community they are making efforts to improve response times.
Additional Cases
Similar frustrations were voiced by parents like Erica Allen, whose son was also suspended from Ross Drive Public School for similar reasons. Allen shared her challenges in communicating with Peel Public Health, indicating that their system was overwhelmed by the number of cases needing attention. She expressed frustration that the school could not decide to allow her son to return based on her proof of immunization.
These incidents highlight the challenges families face in navigating the vaccination record submission process and the need for clearer communication between public health and educational institutions.
