Two students were suspended from Peel schools over outdated vaccine records. They were fully immunized
Brampton father Andrew Steeves says he submitted his son’s immunization records at least four times to Peel Public Health, proving his 10-year-old had received all of his routine vaccinations. But last week his son was still pulled out of class and suspended because the public health unit claimed it didn’t have any record of the submissions.
Parents, not doctors, are required to report their child’s vaccinations to Peel Region. To do so, they upload an image of the yellow immunization card provided by their physician or seek a formal exemption for medical reasons or on the grounds of conscience or religious beliefs. All non-medical exemptions require that parents and guardians complete a mandatory education session.
When children are being registered for school for the first time, parents have to provide vaccination information—failure to do so can result in school suspension.
Based on documents Steeves provided CTV News Toronto, Steeves received confirmation the immunization records he uploaded on Oct. 1 and again on Nov. 20 went through. He then received a letter from Peel Public Health, dated Dec. 3, stating his son’s school, Jefferson Public School, would be required to suspend him for 20 school days because the health unit had not received proof that he had been vaccinated against diptheria, pertussis and tetanus.
The suspension was to take effect on Jan. 8. Steeves showed he had tried on two more occasions—on Dec. 27 and Jan. 5—to update the vaccination records.
But, on Jan. 8, Steeves says he got an automatic email, instructing him to pick up his son from school because he was suspended.
It should be noted that CTV News Toronto has reviewed documents provided by Steeves indicating that his son had been vaccinated against diptheria, pertussis and tetanus.
‘Missing data’
“The last updated records they had, according to Peel Public Health, is from 2021,” Steeves told CTV News Toronto in an interview on Monday. “He should have been suspended for years. There’s a ball that’s been dropped.”
After the suspension order, Steeves spoke with the school’s principal and scheduled an appointment with their family doctor to seek further guidance, so his son wouldn’t have to miss out on weeks of school—which he says is critical as he requires dedicated, one-on-one instruction at school.
“He’s, there’s a learning disability there, but we’re not sure what it is yet. So, we’re trying to work with the school, work with him and get him caught up,” Steeves said.
Shortly after speaking with CTV News Toronto, Steeves says Peel Public Health called him back, something he adds was surprising as he was told “more than 50 people” were ahead of him waiting for their phones to ring.
“They have now fully updated his record with the ‘missing’ data, and rescinded the suspension effective immediately,” Steeves said, noting his child returned to school on Tuesday morning.
Peel Public Health (PPH) confirmed to CTV News Toronto that, as of the morning of Jan. 13, around 2,350 PDSB students remained suspended from non-compliance with the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
According to PPH, they issued two waves of suspensions in contravention with the TSPA: on Dec. 18, and then again on Jan. 18. In total, 5,397 students were suspended over their immunization records. But, as of Tuesday, PPH says 3,047 have returned to school.
“Under Ontario law, schools under direction from the local health units suspend students whose immunization records are not updated,” Peel Public Health said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Under this process, families receive typically 3 months’ notice about missing our outdated vaccination records with clear instructions on how to update their records.”
The health unit says suspension is a last resort, and that they are processing updates to immunization records as quickly as possible by lifting suspensions within one to three business days after receiving documentation.
“We recognize parents’ frustration with long wait times and are taking steps to improve responsiveness,” Peel Public Health said. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to keep students healthy and learning.”
A waiting game
Erica Allen’s son, a Grade 5 student at Ross Drive Public School in Brampton, was also suspended over his immunization records, and Peel Public Health not having the up-to-date documents online.
“They just say, ‘Oh, check your record.’ I’m checking but I don’t know what I’m looking for, because (at) one point, my doctor said he’s fully immunized. So, what is it that they’re missing,” the nurse told CTV News Toronto on Monday.
Allen says she tried showing the school that her 10-year-old son was fully immunized, but that the school wouldn’t accept her proof, consequently forcing her son to stay home for four days.
“They have to get the all clear from public health and now their system is so backed up. I called them on Thursday, couldn’t get through. Friday, I got through and they said they’ll get back to me in 10 to 15 minutes,” Allen recounted. “I didn’t hang up; I stayed on from 8:30 until 4:30 until they hung up.”
When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Peel District School Board pointed to Peel Public Health for more information about what was going on.
“Peel District School Board follows the direction and guidance of Peel Public Health, and we’re committed to the health, safety and well-being of our students,” the statement reads.
Allen, however, wishes the school had authority to decide when children can return to class instead of Peel Public Health.
“If the parents have evidence that the kid is fully immunized, they should be able to take that information. Why are they leaving it up to public health?” she said. “They don’t have the manpower to deal with—I’m guessing a lot of kids have been suspended. That’s why the line is so busy and they can’t get back to us.”
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