Though the number of suspension notices for Peel elementary students are unknown at this time, Fry said dates have been set for when the penalty would occur.

He said Peel's 341 elementary schools have been split into three groups with differing dates. Suspension notices sent out on Feb. 8 are for half of PDSB and will be enforced on on March 22. Notices for DPCDSB and French schools are given on March 24 with suspensions taking effect on April 19. The remaining PDSB students will receive notice of suspension April 11 and will begin May 3.

When asked about the number of Peel elementary students receiving suspension notices, Fry said about 50 per cent of immunization records are updated when parents receive the first notice. He said then about half of the remainder are also updated upon the second letter with about 70 per cent of the stragglers to follow upon the third and final notice.

Student immunization records are reviewed annually by Peel Public Health.

Those who opt out are required to provide medical proof from a doctor or nurse. Documents allowing the student to not be immunized for religious or conscience purposes must be completed by a lawyer or Justice of the Peace.

However, Fry wrote, in the event of an outbreak exempted students could be "excluded from school." That could last many weeks, he added, "depending on the number of cases and the period of communicability."

Fry said the opt out numbers are usually about one per cent and more so tied to religious than medical reasons.