Brady Collins
Vaccination is a highly recommended method of protecting children from preventable diseases. In Ontario, children are required to be vaccinated against several diseases before they can attend school. This is enforced through the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), which allows for medical, religious, and conscientious exemptions. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their children's vaccinations are up to date and reported to the relevant authorities. While vaccination is not mandatory in Ontario, unvaccinated children may be excluded from school during disease outbreaks to protect public health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Requirements for School Attendance | Yes, students need to be vaccinated against nine diseases or have a medical or religious/philosophical exemption. |
| Diseases Required for Vaccination | Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, HPV, meningococcal disease |
| Vaccination for Babies and Toddlers | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) |
| Vaccination for Children Aged 4-17 | Vaccines required according to Ontario's Immunization Schedule |
| Vaccination for Children in Grade 7 | Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) in a 3-in-1 Tdap vaccine; tetanus and diphtheria in a 2-in-1 Td vaccine; meningococcal vaccine (mandatory); hepatitis B and HPV vaccines (recommended) |
| COVID-19 Vaccination | Individuals aged five and older can receive their primary series, followed by a booster dose |
| Exemption from Vaccination | Possible on medical, religious, or conscientious grounds with appropriate documentation |
| Consequences of Non-Compliance | Children may be excluded from school during a disease outbreak; non-compliance can result in penalties |
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What You'll Learn
Immunization requirements for school attendance
In Ontario, proof of immunization is required for children and adolescents to attend school. Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), students need to be vaccinated against nine diseases or have a valid medical or religious/philosophical exemption.
Children aged 4 to 17 years old who attend primary or secondary school must be immunized. Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting vaccines administered to school-aged children to their local medical officer of health. They must also provide proof of immunization or appropriate exemption documents. Children who are not fully immunized may not be allowed to attend school.
Vaccines in Ontario's routine immunization schedule are provided free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria. The routine childhood immunization schedule will ensure children receive all the necessary immunizations at the right time to attend school. Having up-to-date immunizations helps ensure that children are protected against certain diseases and helps reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in schools.
In Grade 7, students are offered immunization against Hepatitis B, HPV, and meningococcal disease. The meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningitis, is mandatory under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Between the ages of 4 and 6, children should receive the following vaccines:
- Tdap-IPV vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio)
- MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella)
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Exemptions for medical, religious or conscientious reasons
In Ontario, exemptions from mandatory vaccination for school-aged children can be granted for medical, religious, or conscientious reasons. The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires parents to provide proof of their child's immunization against designated diseases to their local medical officer of health. If parents choose not to vaccinate their children, they must follow a specific process to obtain a valid exemption.
For medical exemptions, parents must submit a Statement of Medical Exemption form signed by a physician or nurse practitioner to their local public health unit. The form will indicate the reason for the exemption, such as a medical condition preventing vaccination or existing immunity to the disease.
For exemptions based on conscience or religious belief, parents must complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form. This form must be witnessed by a commissioner for taking affidavits and submitted to the local public health unit. Additionally, parents must complete an immunization education session delivered by the local public health unit and provide a certificate of completion.
It is important to note that even with a valid exemption, a child may be excluded from school during an outbreak or threatened outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, regardless of the legal exemption. Furthermore, if a child attends daycare, a valid written exemption must be provided if they are not vaccinated due to medical, religious, or philosophical reasons.
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Vaccination clinics in schools
In Ontario, children attending school are required to be vaccinated against nine diseases, including Meningococcal disease, under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting vaccines administered to school-aged children to their local medical officer of health.
Children who do not get immunized are at an increased risk of disease and may be removed from school during a disease outbreak. They may also be suspended until their immunization records are complete. Parents who have philosophical or religious objections to immunization may apply for an exemption for their child, using a form that needs to be notarized.
School-based vaccination clinics are offered in Toronto, York Region, and Ottawa to help students catch up on their school-based vaccines. These are offered during school hours to students who attend the school and are not open to the public. Students in Grade 7 can be immunized at no cost against Hepatitis B, HPV, and Meningococcal ACYW-135.
On the day of the clinic, students should wear a short-sleeved t-shirt as the vaccines will be given in the upper arm. They should also eat breakfast to prevent feeling dizzy or unwell. If a child feels nervous or faint before, during, or after the vaccination, they should let the nurse know. Parents must also report the vaccine to the relevant health authority.
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Vaccination records and how to access them
In Ontario, parents and guardians are responsible for reporting vaccines administered to school-aged children to their local medical officer of health. To attend school in Ontario, students need to be vaccinated against nine diseases or have a medical or religious/philosophical exemption.
Accessing Vaccination Records
To access your child's vaccination records, you can contact your local public health unit or the clinic where the vaccine dose(s) were received. You can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, available in over 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. They can assist you in obtaining your child's vaccine certificate.
If your child has received a vaccine outside of Ontario or Canada, it is important to record this with your local public health unit to ensure future COVID-19 vaccine doses can be given safely and at the appropriate time intervals.
COVID-19 Vaccination Records
Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine certificate with a QR code is an electronic record of your child's COVID-19 vaccination history. If your child has received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario, you can download this certificate through the provincial portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre. This certificate can serve as proof of vaccination for your child.
Exemptions
Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, your child can be exempted from immunization for medical reasons or due to conscience or religious belief. To obtain an exemption, you must fill out a Statement of Medical Exemption form signed by a physician or nurse practitioner and submit it to your local public health unit. For non-medical exemptions, you must submit a notarized Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU).
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Vaccinations for babies and toddlers
In Ontario, parents and guardians are responsible for reporting vaccines administered to school-aged children to their local medical officer of health. Vaccination schedules may differ depending on the province or territory, and it's important to get information about vaccines from reputable sources. In general, children in Ontario can receive multiple vaccines at the same time, including the COVID-19 and flu vaccines for those aged 6 months and older.
For babies and toddlers specifically, the Government of Ontario recommends vaccinations during their first and second years. At 2 and 4 months old, babies should receive the following vaccines: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) in a 5-in-1 vaccine called the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine. At 1 year of age, babies should receive the same set of vaccines. Between 4 and 6 years old, children should receive a 4-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap-IPV vaccine, which includes tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio.
It's worth noting that children attending school in Ontario are required by law to be vaccinated against certain diseases or have a valid exemption, such as a medical condition or religious/philosophical objection. The specific requirements may vary, so it's important to stay informed about the latest guidelines and consult with healthcare providers or local public health units.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, children in Ontario are required to be vaccinated against several diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. The specific vaccines your child needs and the recommended schedule can be found on Ontario's Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
Children who are not fully immunized may not be allowed to attend school and may be removed from school during a disease outbreak to protect the public and contain the outbreak.
Yes, exemptions can be requested on medical, religious, or conscientious grounds. To obtain an exemption, parents must complete an official exemption form, such as a Statement of Medical Exemption or Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief, and submit it to their local public health unit.
