Menu

Vaccine Exemption 

On this page:

Junior Kindergarden to Grade 12

The COVID-19 vaccine is not required by law for school attendance at this time. The exemption process for routine school immunizations described below does not currently apply to the COVID-19 vaccine.

For Routine Immunizations Required by Law for School Attendance

Ontario’s  requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption:

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • Pertussis
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Meningitis
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) (born in 2010 or after)

Immunization is the best way to protect against preventable diseases. The Timiskaming Health Unit is required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to collect and maintain immunization records for every student in the Timiskaming District. Parents are required to submit a copy of their child’s immunization record when registering for school and must continue to update us each time your child receives a vaccine.  Health Care Providers do not have requirements to send updates to us, though many do.  Throughout the school year, we continue to assess and review student immunization records and send out “Immunization Notice” letters to families to notify them which immunization records are missing for their child. The law states students may be suspended from school until their immunization records are up to date. We are currently enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). For more information, please email schools@timiskaminghu.com or call THU 1-866-747-4305 and ask to speak with a School Nurse.

If you choose not to immunize your child for medical or non-medical (religious, or philosophical reasons), you must submit either a Statement of Medical Exemption or complete a mandatory Education Session and a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief.

Exemption:

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 645, students must be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, meningococcal, varicella and polio, or have a valid Medical, or Conscience or Religious Belief exemption on file at the Health Unit. 

1.  Non-Medical Conscience or Religious Belief exemption:

A parent/guardian who is requesting a non-medical conscience or religious belief exemption for their child attending a school in the district of Timiskaming must complete an online education session. Please note, the THU will only accept exemptions for school-aged children. The following steps must be taken to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for non-medical (conscience or religious beliefs):

It is the parents' responsibility to notify a THU School Nurse about their choice to not vaccinate their child(ren). 

  1. Contact the THU (1-866-747-4305) and ask to speak to a School Nurse or email schools@timiskaminghu.com to notify them that you are choosing to not vaccinate your child(ren). A nurse will be able to answer any questions you may have about vaccines, the exemption process and will direct you on next steps. 
  2. A nurse will then direct you to watch a 30-minute video (EN) (FR)
    1. The video covers: 
      1. basic information about immunization
      2. vaccine safety
      3. how immunization affects overall public health
      4. immunization law in Ontario
    2. Once you have completed the video, we ask you to call a THU School Nurse (THU’s regular business hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm) to indicate: 
      1. you have completed the education session
      2. you would like a call back from a School Nurse to discuss any vaccine questions you may have
    3. The School Nurse will then go through a series of questions with you to ensure that you understood the content of the video. 
      1. You will also have the opportunity at this time to ask the School Nurse questions.
      2. The School Nurse will provide you with a signed and dated Vaccine Education Certificate. 
  3. You must fill out a Statement of Conscious or Religious Belief form: https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/014-4897-64 
    1. Once complete, you must get the form signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario. It is encouraged for clients to make copies of their forms for their files. Getting the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form signed:
      1. A Commissioner of Oaths is available at municipal, and some MP/MPP’s offices. Call ahead as some offices require appointments. Make sure you ask whether you need to bring one or two pieces of identification. Fees may apply. 
      2. A Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace can also sign or stamp your form. You would need to contact a legal office, and fees will apply.
      3. Return the ORIGINAL copy of the signed exemption form to the Timiskaming Health Unit (drop off or mail). It is encouraged for clients to make copies of their forms for their files.

2. Medical Exemption:

It is the parents' responsibility to notify a THU School Nurse about their choice to not vaccinate their child(ren). The following steps must be taken to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for medical reasons:

1. The parent must fill out a Statement of Medical Exemption form: https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/014-4895-64

2. Once complete, the parent must have it signed by their physician or Nurse Practitioner and submit the ORIGINAL to THU. It is encouraged for clients to make copies of their forms for their files.

What will happen to my child during an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease?

  1. If your child is properly immunized for the disease identified in the outbreak, your child will be allowed to remain in school.
  2. If your child is not up-to-date for the vaccine identified in the outbreak, the Medical Officer of Health will determine if your child is at risk and may exclude your child for their own protection.
    1. Exempted children are at greater risk of getting ill during an outbreak. Most are likely to be excluded from school.
  3. If you have an exemption document on file, you’ll be contacted directly and informed that your child is excluded from school until further notice.
    1. The school administrators will also be contacted to help enforce the exclusion.
  4. If your child is exempted and you choose to have your child immunized, it may take up to two weeks before your child is allowed back at school or daycare.
  5. Parents and guardians have responsibilities when it comes to choosing to not vaccinate their children, visit these links to better understand the risks and responsibilities that are affected by your choice: 
    1. https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/immunization/docs/toolkit_risks.pdf 
    2. https://caringforkids.cps.ca/uploads/handout_images/CFK_tearsheet-ENG(post).pdf 

Once the outbreak is over or your child has developed protection through immunization, you and the school administrator will be notified that your child may return.

Benefits of a Completed Vaccination Record

Vaccines protect your child against some very serious diseases. Vaccines trigger your child’s immune system response to fight diseases. For immunizations to work best, children must have all their vaccinations on time.

Once your child's exemption form is on file, your child will no longer risk suspension from school.  Not immunizing your child leaves them at risk of infection. If an outbreak or threat of an outbreak of any vaccine-preventable disease occurs, they may be excluded from school.

Your child can independently seek out immunizations with their health care provider or health unit without parental permission.  Many schools and workplaces require immunizations. It will take time to complete a primary series of vaccinations (6-12 months).  

Health Care Consent Act

The Health Care Consent Act is an Ontario law that states a person has the right to consent to or refuse treatment if they have the mental capacity to provide informed consent – regardless of their age. Informed consent involves the ability to fully comprehend;

  • the nature of the treatment
  • the expected benefits of the treatment
  • the material risks of the treatment
  • the material side effects of the treatment
  • the alternative courses of action
  • the likely consequences of the treatment

External Links

Please note that an exemption form can be cancelled at any time with written notice.

 

Children Under 4

The COVID-19 vaccine is not required by law for child care attendance at this time. The exemption process for routine child care immunizations described below does not currently apply to the COVID-19 vaccine. 

For Routine Immunizations Required by Law for Child Care Attendance

Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (2014), requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption:

  • Diphtheria
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal
  • Mumps
  • Pertussis
  • Pneumococcal
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Rotavirus
  • Rubella
  • Tetanus
  • Varicella

Immunization is the best way to protect against preventable diseases. The Timiskaming Health Unit is required under the Immunization for Children in Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings Protocol (2018) to collect and maintain immunization records for every child attending a licensed child care center in the Timiskaming District. Parents are required to submit a copy of their child’s immunization record when registering for child care and must continue to update us each time your child receives a vaccine as your health care provider may not notify THU when a vaccine is given. Throughout the year, we continue to assess and review children’s immunization records and send out “Immunization Notice” letters to families to notify them which immunization records are missing for their child. The law states, if a parent does not respond by the deadline, the THU will work with the licensee to contact the parent and work towards a completed record and/or exemption, or the child may face a suspension from child care. For more information, please email  Childcarehealth@timiskaminghu.com or call THU 1-866-747-4305 and ask to speak with a child care nurse.

If you choose not to immunize your child for medical or non-medical (religious, or philosophical reasons), you must submit either a Statement of Medical Exemption or a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief.

Exemption:

Under the Immunization for Children in Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings Protocol (2018), children must be immunized against diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, meningococcal, mumps, pertussis, pneumococcal, poliomyelitis, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, and varicella, or have a valid Medical, or Conscience or Religious Belief exemption on file at the Health Unit.

1.Non-Medical Conscience or Religious Belief exemption:

It is the parents' responsibility to notify a THU child care Nurse about their choice to not vaccinate their child(ren).

  1. A parent/guardian who is requesting a non-medical conscience or religious belief exemption for their child attending a licensed child care center in the district of Timiskaming must follow the steps below to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination:
  2. Contact THU (1-866-747-4305) and ask to speak to a child care nurse or email childcarehealth@timiskaminghu.com to notify them that you are choosing not to vaccinate your child(ren). A nurse will be able to answer any questions you may have about vaccines, the exemption process and will direct you onto the next steps. 
  3. You must fill out a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief for Child form (CCEYA): 
    1. Once complete, you must get the form signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario. 
      Getting the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form signed:
      1. A Commissioner of Oaths is available at municipal, and some MP/MPP’s offices. Call ahead as some offices require appointments. Make sure you ask whether you need to bring one or two pieces of identification. Fees may apply. 
      2. A Notary Public or a Justice of the Peace can also sign or stamp your form. You would need to contact a legal office, and fees will apply.
      3. Return the ORIGINAL copy of the signed exemption form to the Timiskaming Health Unit or your child care center. It is encouraged for clients to make copies of their forms for their files.

2. Medical Exemption:

It is the parents' responsibility to notify a THU child care Nurse about their choice to not vaccinate their child(ren). The following steps must be taken to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for medical reasons:

  1. The parent must fill out a Statement of Medical Exemption for Child form: 
  2. Once complete, the parent must have it signed by their physician or Nurse Practitioner and submit the ORIGINAL to THU or their Child Care center. It is encouraged for clients to make copies of their forms for their files.

What will happen to my child during an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease?

  1. If your child is properly immunized for the disease identified in the outbreak, your child will be allowed to remain in child care.
  2. If your child is not up-to-date for the vaccine identified in the outbreak, the Medical Officer of Health will determine if your child is at risk and may exclude your child for their own protection.
    1. Exempted children are at greater risk of getting ill during an outbreak. Most are likely to be excluded from childcare.
  3. If you have an exemption document on file, you’ll be contacted directly and informed that your child is excluded from childcare until further notice.
    1. The childcare administrator will also be contacted to help enforce the exclusion.
  4. If your child is exempted and you choose to have your child immunized, it may take up to two weeks before your child is allowed back to childcare.

Once the outbreak is over or your child has developed protection through immunization, you and the child care administrator will be notified that your child may return.

Benefits of a Completed Vaccination Record

Vaccines protect your child against some very serious diseases. Vaccines trigger your child’s immune system response to fight diseases. For immunizations to work best, children must have all their vaccinations on time. 

Once your child's exemption form is on file, your child will no longer risk suspension from child care.  Not immunizing your child leaves them at risk for infection. If an outbreak or threat of an outbreak of any vaccine-preventable disease occurs, they may be excluded from child care. 

Health Care Consent Act

The Health Care Consent Act is an Ontario law that states a person has the right to consent to or refuse treatment if they have the mental capacity to provide informed consent – regardless of their age. Informed consent involves the ability to fully comprehend;

  • the nature of the treatment
  • the expected benefits of the treatment
  • the material risks of the treatment
  • the material side effects of the treatment
  • the alternative courses of action
  • the likely consequences of the treatment

External Links

Please note that an exemption form can be cancelled at any time with written notice.

 

 

 

20231003/er:nd