From:
Dr. Hetal Patel, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Key messages
- Suspension orders are being mailed to students in Grades 11 and 12 who have not submitted updated immunization records.
- Men-C-ACYW135 (MenQuadfi) can be ordered for overdue high school students. High school students should not be charged for the vaccine.
- Reminder: School vaccination reporting poster for your office.
- The infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program for the 2025/26 season will end April 17, 2026.
- Remaining non-expired Beyfortus should be kept at your clinic for use during the fall 2026/27 season.
- The adult RSV vaccine program will continue into spring and summer.
Reminder: Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)
Suspension orders are being mailed to high school students in Grades 11 and 12 who have not submitted updated immunization records as outlined in the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). These orders are being issued from March through May 2026.
Immunization requirements align with the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules in Ontario. The minimum age and spacing between doses must be followed to meet the ISPA requirements.
If a student presents with a suspension order
- Check your records for the student’s immunization history. If the student has already received the vaccines listed on the form, provide this information to the student.
- If the student has not received the vaccines, administer the vaccines and provide documentation to the student.
- Remind students to report their vaccinations online or by calling Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700 or toll free at 1-888-919-7800. Students 16 years or older must provide consent to Peel Public Health to speak with parents or legal guardians about their immunization record.
Vaccines received out of Ontario should be considered valid if there is written documentation of administration of vaccine at ages and intervals comparable with the Ontario Publicly Funded Schedule. The record for these vaccines should be in English or translated by you, your patient or a relative to be considered valid.
Meningococcal vaccine requirements for high school students
Students in Grades 7 to 12 require one dose of Men-C-ACYW (MenQuadfi). This vaccine is routinely given in Grade 7 as part of the school vaccination program.
Peel physicians can order Men-C-ACYW (MenQuadfi) (in addition to HB and HPV vaccines) for high school students who received a letter indicating that Men-C-ACYW is overdue. Students should not be charged for the vaccine regardless of OHIP coverage.
MenQuadfi (Men-C-ACYW) is distributed as part of Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program for eligible patients as announced in the February 26, 2026 Health Professional Update.
Order quantities are being capped to help minimize wastage. Requests for larger quantities may be submitted by emailing [email protected].
Preparing for increased vaccine demand
A significant increase in demand for routine vaccines (e.g.,Tdap, MMR) is expected through the end of the school year. Continue to monitor your vaccine inventory and refrigerator capacity to ensure vaccines are properly stored in cold chain (+2.0°C to +8.0°C). Place orders as needed to ensure you have a one-month supply on hand.
Reminder: School vaccination reporting poster for your office
- Peel Public Health has developed a poster to help parents and guardians comply with immunization requirements for school and childcare attendance.
- Remind parents that doctors do not report vaccinations to Public Health.
- Parents must report every time their child receives a vaccine to ensure their records are up to date with Peel Public Health.
- Download and print the poster and place in high-visibility locations within your clinic, such as waiting rooms, exam rooms and vaccination areas.
School vaccination reporting poster
Update: RSV prevention program
Infant and high-risk children
The 2025/26 infant and high-risk children RSV prevention program will end April 17, 2026. Doses of Beyfortus and Abrysvo should no longer be ordered or administered to infants, children, or pregnant individuals after this date. Details for the new season will be shared closer to the fall, following official announcements from the Ministry of Health.
Keep any remaining non-expired inventory of Beyfortus at your clinic for use during the fall 2026/27 respiratory season for eligible populations. Do not return any non-expired doses. Beyfortus must be maintained at a temperature between +2.0 C and +8.0 C and stored in the original outer carton until administration to protect it from light.
Adults
The administration of the RSV vaccine under the Adult RSV Vaccine Program will continue into the spring and summer. Please continue to order and administer to eligible older adults. If a dose of RSV vaccine was previously administered, additional doses are not recommended.
Find additional information at Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) prevention programs
Contact us
The Health Professionals Update (HPU) is distributed to physician offices in Peel region via email. Share this update with other health professionals in your clinic.
More information:
For questions about this update, email [email protected]
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