School and Child Care Immunizations

To help keep our children and communities safe, Ontario requires certain vaccinations for children attending licensed child care or school. This is part of the Child and Early Years Act (2014) and the Immunization of School Pupil’s Act (R.S.O. 1990).

Parents have two options:

  1. Keep your child up to date with their required vaccines and report them to Public Health.
  2. Submit a valid exemption to Public Health if you choose not to vaccinate.

See below for more information about each option.

Required vaccines

All children attending school or licensed child care need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule (PDF) for the following:

The below additional immunizations are required for children in licensed child care centres only:   

The following vaccines are also strongly recommended:

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. 7006
  • 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

Each year, Public Health assesses the immunization records of children in licensed daycare centres and schools and sends notices to parent/guardians informing them of missing vaccinations in their child’s immunization record. It is a parent or guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to Public Health.

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 your child’s 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. 

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.
    • High school children can also attend the Public Health clinic at their school to receive some missed vaccines. Visit High School Immunization Clinics for more information.
  • 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 in Grades K-12 or in licensed child care. Please ensure you are using the correct and most current Ministry of Health forms. This information is valid for the WDG Public Health region only.

During an outbreak of a disease an exempt child is not vaccinated against, the 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)

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.

Please Note:

  • Forms cannot be altered or modified in any way (i.e., additions, information crossed out, etc.). Modified forms will not be accepted by WDG Public Health.
  • The parent/guardian signing the document must sign in the presence of the commissioner (do not sign in advance).
  • You must bring a valid government-issued photo identification.
  • There may be a cost to have the form signed.

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

Exemption for Religious or Conscience Reasons

If you are choosing not to immunize your child who is in licensed child care for religious or conscience reasons, you will need to:

  1. Complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child Care Form including having it witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits (notarized).
  2. Submit the completed form to your child care centre and WDG Public Health by:
  1. Keep a copy for your records.

Please Note:

  • Forms cannot be altered or modified in any way (i.e., additions, information crossed out, etc.). Modified forms will not be accepted by WDG Public Health.
  • The parent/guardian signing the document must sign in the presence of the commissioner (do not sign in advance).
  • You must bring a valid government-issued photo identification.
  • There may be a cost to have the form signed.

Exemption for Medical Reasons

If your child who is in licensed child care cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you must:

  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.