Immunizations Required for School Attendance

As of January 4, 2021, appointments are suspended until further notice. Please check our website regularly to find out when clinics will resume.

Public Health assesses and provides immunizations to ensure school-aged children meet the requirements under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). 

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that all children attending schools be fully immunized or have a valid exemption on file for the following:

  • Tetanus
  • Diphtheria
  • Polio
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Meningococcal disease (meningitis)
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Varicella (chickenpox) – for children born on or after January 1, 2010.
    • If your child has had chickenpox infection, a medical exemption form completed by your health care provider is required.

For details on when these immunizations are required, please review Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule (PDF, 1 page).

For more information about vaccines and immunization, click the links below:

Failure to provide proof of the above immunizations or a valid exemption can result in school suspension. Students in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph who do not have valid immunizations will NOT be suspended in the 2020-2021 school year.

Notification packages will be sent between December 2020 and June 2021 to all students who do not have valid immunizations, notifying them of the ISPA requirement and strongly encouraging that they get these immunizations before the start of the 2021-2022 school year. It is Public Health’s intention to resume the suspension process in the 2021-2022 school year.

Why did I receive a notification from Public Health?

If you received a notification from Public Health regarding immunizations, it is because:

  1. Public Health does not have a complete immunization record for your child on file, or
  2. Your child requires immunization(s).

Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions about immunizations required for school attendance. If you still have questions about your child’s immunizations, please call Vaccine Records at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4396 or our school immunization line to speak to a Public Health Nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4746. Calls may not be returned for 5-10 business days. Please note that the school immunization line is unable to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccine immunizations. Please direct these questions to our call centre at extension 7006.

Report your child’s immunizations

You can report your child’s immunizations in one of the following ways:

Online: The Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool available at immunizewdg.ca allows you to report and view your child’s immunization record.

Email: vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca

Phone: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 4396

Mail: Vaccine Records
160 Chancellors Way
Guelph, ON N1G 0E1

For those who need help translating their immunization records into English, please contact Immigrant Services.

It is a parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to Public Health. Schools are not required to collect immunization records or send them to Public Health. Doctors are also not required to report immunizations given in their office to Public Health.

Immunization exemptions for school-aged children

If your child cannot be immunized for medical reasons, you will need to:

The process for exemptions for religious or conscientious reasons is presently on hold as the Ministry is updating the parent education component. Please continue to check our website for updates.  

How to get your immunizations

CALL YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

  • Bring an up-to-date copy of your child’s immunization record to your appointment. If you do not have a yellow card, you can print a copy of your record by visiting immunizewdg.ca.
  • After your appointment, please report all immunizations online at immunizewdg.ca.

OR BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT PUBLIC HEALTH.

Please only book with Public Health if you are unable to see your family doctor, if you do not have a family doctor or if you do not have an Ontario Health Card.

  • Visit our ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM. *Please note that as of January 4, 2021, appointments are suspended until further notice. Please check back often to find out when appointments will resume.
  • Bring an up-to-date copy of your child’s immunization record to your appointment. If you do not have a yellow card, you can print a copy of your record by visiting immunizewdg.ca.

To cancel an appointment at Public Health

  • You can re-schedule or cancel an appointment online up to 48 hours before your appointment. See your appointment confirmation email for how to re-schedule or cancel an appointment.
  • For last minute cancellations, please call 1-800-265-7293 or 519-822-2715 and speak to reception.

Public Health appointment arrival instructions

Please read these instructions before your appointment.

  • To minimize the number of clients in our Public Health offices, we ask that parents/caregivers wait in their car or outside during the appointment. If you would prefer to accompany your child, we ask that only one parent/caregiver attend the appointment. 
  • Please bring your own face covering for you and your child. A face covering will be provided if you or your child do not have one with you.
  • Please arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment.
  • When you have arrived in the parking lot, please notify us by calling reception at 1-800-265-7293 or 519-822-2715 extension 0. If your call is not answered, please try calling back in a few minutes. Please do not enter the building.
  • Stay in your car or the parking lot until a Public Health Nurse calls you back. The call-back will be from a private number.
  • A Public Health Nurse will complete a COVID-19 screening assessment, ask you to verify consent, provide you with the opportunity to ask questions and inform you that your child must remain in the building for 15 minutes post-immunization. Physical distancing will be ensured inside the building.
  • The Public Health Nurse will let you know when your child can enter the building and what nurse to ask for. Your child will be asked to have their upper arms visible and will also be reminded to bring their yellow card in with them.
  • Once your child is instructed to come inside, they will require a face covering and will be greeted by Public Health staff. Public Health staff will be wearing masks and face shields.
  • Your child will then be taken to the clinical area for their immunizations. Clinic rooms will be cleaned and disinfected after each immunization appointment.
  • After the appointment, visit immunizewdg.ca to update your child’s record.

IMPORTANT

  • If you arrive more than 15 minutes late or miss your appointment, your child will not be seen, and a new appointment time will need to be booked.
  • A face covering must be worn at all times inside the Public Health building.
  • Leave all unnecessary items in your car.
  • Do not come to Public Health if you feel unwell. Please call 1-800-265-7293 or 519-822-2715 to re-schedule your appointment.