School and Child Care Immunizations

Update your child’s immunization record

Each year, Public Health assesses and provides immunizations to ensure school-aged children meet the requirements under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). It is a parent or guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to Public Health. If an up-to-date immunization record or a valid exemption is not on file for your child, you will receive a notice from Public Health informing you which vaccine(s) are missing in your child’s immunization record.

Immunizations required for school and child care attendance

In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) for schools and the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) for licensed child care centres requires that all children attending 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.       
    • Note: If your child does not get the chickenpox vaccine because they have had chickenpox infection, a valid medical exemption is required.
  • Additional immunizations required for licensed child care centres only:   
    • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal, rotavirus
  • The following vaccines are strongly encouraged:
    • COVID-19 and annual influenza

For details on when these immunizations are required for your child, please review Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule (PDF, 1 page) or see recommended Immunization Schedule for Children from Infancy to 6 years.

Report your child’s immunizations to Public Health

It is a parent or 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. Failure to report updated immunizations or provide a valid exemption can result in school suspension.

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.

Notice from Public Health for incomplete immunization record

If you received a notification from Public Health about your child’s incomplete immunizations, it could be because of one or more of the following:

  • Public Health does not have an immunization record on file for your child.
  • Your child has not received the immunizations listed on the notice.
  • Public Health was not notified that your child received an immunization (i.e. their record has not been updated).
  • Your child may have received invalid doses that do not meet immunization requirements (i.e., immunizations were given too early or the spacing between immunizations is too close).
  • Public Health has not received a valid exemption.

Please ensure that the mandatory vaccines are up to date and reported to Public Health by the deadline indicated in the notice you received. Students who do not have complete immunization records can be suspended from school under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). In addition, should an outbreak occur in your child’s school or child care, your child may be excluded for the duration.

What to do after receiving a notice

Step 1: Compare the immunization record shown in your notice with your immunization records at home, online at immunizewdg.ca and/or with your child’s health care provider. Note: Only vaccines required for attending a school or child care are shown in your notice.

Step 2:

  • If your child has received the vaccine(s) listed as missing in your notice, update your child’s immunization record with Public Health.
  • If your child has not received the vaccine(s) listed in your notice, your child can get the missing vaccines through their health care provider, a walk-in clinic or through Public Health by calling 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006. Bring your notice and report the immunizations your child receives.
  • If an exemption is needed, complete the steps required for an exemption for medical or religious/conscience reasons (see below).
Immunization exemptions

Complete the appropriate steps below for exemptions for children K-12 or in licensed child care. The forms are different depending on the setting and reason for exemption.

NOTE: The below information is valid for children in schools/child care the WDG Public Health region only.

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. Watch the Ontario Ministry of Health Vaccine Education Video.
  2. Complete WDG 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 the certificate and completed form to Public Health one of the following ways:
    • Email: vaccine.records@wdgpublichealth.ca
    • Fax: 519-836-2986
    • Mail: Vaccine Records, 160 Chancellors Way, Guelph, ON N1G 0E1
    • In Person: At any Public Health Office (Bring a printed copy of the certificate and completed form.)
  5. Keep a copy for your records.

Exemption for Medical Reasons

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

  1. Have your health care provider complete and sign the Statement of Medical Exemption form.
  2. Submit the completed form to Public Health by:
  3. Keep a copy for your records.
Exemptions for Children in Licensed Child Care

If you are choosing not to immunize your child for religious or conscience reasons, you will need to complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child Care Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits (notarized) and submit to your child care centre and Public Health.

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.

Please note these forms will expire when your child begins school. Follow the process above to complete a new exemption once your child is in school.

  • Submit the completed form to Public Health by:
  • Keep a copy for your records.

For questions about your child’s immunizations, call Client and Community Support to speak to a Public Health Nurse at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.