School and Child Care Immunizations

Childhood vaccinations are very important for a child’s long-term health. In Ontario, children can get many free (publicly-funded) vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningococcal, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal-C-15, rotavirus, Haemophilus influenza B (HiB), hepatitis B, Human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza.

The Child and Early Years Act (2014) and the Immunization of School Pupil’s Act (R.S.O. 1990) outlines the reporting requirements for parents and caregivers to have their children attend public schools in Ontario. For children to attend school or licensed child care, WDG Public Health must have either:

  • An up-to-date record of required vaccines, or
  • A filed exemption

Required vaccines

To have an up-to-date record of required vaccines, children attending school or licensed child care need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule (PDF) for the following vaccines and the immunizations must be reported to Public Health.

If your child did not get Varicella and has had chickenpox, a valid medical exemption is required.

Additional Vaccines for Licensed Child Care:

Strongly Recommended Vaccines:

Reporting Immunizations

Parents or guardians must report their child’s immunizations to Public Health. Schools and health care providers are not required to do this.

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

For help translating immunization records into English, contact Immigrant Services.

Immunization Notice from Public Health

Public Health assesses immunization records annually and sends notices to parents/guardians about missing vaccinations. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to Public Health.

If you received a notice, it could be because:

  • Public Health does not have an immunization record for your child.
  • Your child has not received the vaccines listed on the notice.
  • Public Health was not notified of your child’s vaccinations (i.e. their record has not been updated).
  • Your child received invalid doses (i.e., vaccines were given too early or the spacing between them is too close).
  • Public Health has not received a valid exemption.

Ensure your child’s vaccines are up to date and reported to Public Health by the deadline in the notice. Students with incomplete immunization records can be suspended from school for up to 20 school days. Suspension dates are February 12, 2025, for high school students and March 19, 2025, for elementary students.

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. 

Step 2:

  • If your child has received the missing vaccines, update your child’s immunization record with Public Health.
  • If your child has not received the missing vaccines, get them through your health care provider, a walk-in clinic or through Public Health. Remember to bring your notice and report the immunizations your child receives.
    • High school children can attend the Public Health clinic at their school for some missing vaccines. Visit High School Immunization Clinics for more information.
  • If an exemption is needed, complete the steps for a medical or religious/conscience exemption.
Immunization Exemptions

Complete the appropriate steps below for exemptions for children in Grades K-12 or in licensed child care. Use the correct and most current Ministry of Health forms. This information is valid for the WDG Public Health region only.

During an outbreak, an exempt child may not be allowed to attend child care or school until the outbreak is over. You will not be contacted about missing vaccines or receive vaccination reminders. For more information, read about the Risks and responsibilities of choosing not to vaccinate your child.

Exemptions for Children in School (K-12)

Religious or Conscience Reasons

  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 and have it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits.
  • Forms cannot be altered or modified in any way. Modified forms will not be accepted.
  • The parent/guardian must sign in the presence of the commissioner.
  • Bring a valid government-issued photo identification.
  • There may be a cost.
  1. Submit the certificate and completed form to Public Health by:
    • 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.)
  2. Keep a copy for your records.

Medical Reasons

  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

Religious or Conscience Reasons

  1. Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child Care Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits (notarized).
  • Forms cannot be altered or modified in any way. Modified forms will not be accepted.
  • The parent/guardian must sign in the presence of the commissioner.
  • Bring a valid government-issued photo identification.
  • There may be a cost.
  1. Submit the completed form to your child care centre and WDG Public Health by:
  1. Keep a copy for your records.

Medical Reasons

  1. Have your health care provider complete the Statement of Medical Exemption.
  2. Submit the completed form to WDG Public Health by
  1. Keep a copy for your records.

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

For questions about your child’s immunizations or exemption, call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.

Is your child afraid of needles?

Participate in the Picturing Bravery: Evaluation of an Evidence Informed E-Resource for Children with Needle Fear: PHASE 2 Study

Researchers at the University of Guelph are conducting a study involving children with needle fear and their parents. The purpose of the study is to evaluate a free “e-resource” that consists of a book for children and evidence-informed tools and strategies for parents to independently manage needle-related pain and fear. The ultimate goal is to determine how helpful the “e-resource” is for managing children’s needle fear and pain.

I’m interested! What’s next? Complete the screening survey.