To find out what vaccines your child requires for school, see Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule (PDF, 1 page), talk to your healthcare provider or call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 to speak with a public health nurse.
Report your child’s vaccinations
You can report your child’s vaccines 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, Ontario 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.
School immunizations
Requirements for school
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. See exemption for school aged children below.
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:
- Immunization – Fact Sheets and Patient Tools
- Vaccines and immunization
- Immunization school checklist in other languages
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 2021-2022 school year.
Grade 7 Immunization Program
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health provides free vaccinations to Grade 7 students in the schools. Your child will get a consent form from school in September for the following three vaccines:
- Meningococcal
- Hepatitis B
- Human Papillomavirus
If you require a consent form, please contact a Public Health Nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006. If you book an appointment through our online booking, an online consent form will be included. See Grade 7 & 8 School Immunization Clinics for more information.
High School Immunization program
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph provides free vaccinations to high school students that are overdue for mandatory vaccinations in the schools. See school vaccination clinics for more information.
During high school, most teens are due for a booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap vaccine). Students can also receive this vaccination at their health care provider and report it to Public Health.
Exemptions for school immunizations
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:
- Complete the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Online Immunization Education Session.
- Then complete Public Health’s Vaccine Education Survey to receive a certificate.
- Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits.
- Submit your certificate and completed form to Public Health one if 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
- Keep a copy for your records.
Exemption for Medical Reasons
If your child cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you will need to:
- Have your health care provider complete and sign the Statement of Medical Exemption form.
- Submit the completed form to Public Health by:
- Email to vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca
- Fax to 519-836-2986 or
- Mail to Vaccine Records, 160 Chancellors Way, Guelph, ON N1G 0E1
- Keep a copy for your records.
Child care immunizations
Requirements for children in licensed child care centres
The Child Care and Early Years Act requires that students have up-to-date vaccines or a valid exemption 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. See exemption for school aged children below.
The following vaccines are strongly encouraged: pneumococcal, rotavirus and annual influenza.
See recommended Immunization Schedule for Children from Infancy to 6 years.
Exemptions for children in licensed child care centres
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).
