Immunization Exemptions for Children in School and Child Care

Immunization Exemptions for Children in School (K-12)

Exemption for Religious or Conscience Reasons

If you are choosing not to immunize your school-aged child for religious or conscience reasons, you will need to:

  1. Complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Online Immunization Education Session.
  2. Then complete Public Health’s Vaccine Education Survey to receive a certificate.
  3. Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits.
  4. Submit your certificate and completed form to Public Health one of the following ways:
    • By email to vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca
    • By fax to 519-836-2986 or
    • By mail to Vaccine Records, 160 Chancellors Way, Guelph, ON N1G 0E1
    • In Person: At any Public Health Office (Please bring a printed copy of your Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief AND a printed copy of the certificate from the Public Health Vaccine Education Survey)
  5. Keep a copy for your records.

Exemption for Medical Reasons

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

Immunization Exemptions for Children in Licensed Child Care

If you are choosing not to immunize your child for religious or conscientious reasons, you will need to complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits (notarized) and submit to your child care centre and Public Health. Please note this form will expire when your child begins school. 

If your child cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, have your health care provider complete the Statement of Medical Exemption  and submit the completed form to Public Health.

More exemption information can be found in the Daycare Immunization Exemption Information document (PDF, 5 pages, 140 KB).