As part of Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), all students attending school in Simcoe Muskoka are required to have up-to-date immunization records on file with public health.
What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know
When registering your child for school, you must submit their immunization record online. Please also remember to update us any time your child received a new vaccine or booster.
Note: Your health care provider does not automatically report vaccinations to Public Health. It is the parent or caregivers’ responsibility to keep the records up to date with us.
Submit your child’s immunization record using ICON or the CANImmunize Mobile App
Immunization Notices & School Suspension
Under the ISPA, we are required to ensure each student’s immunization record is complete and up to date.
Here’s how the process works:
- If immunization records are missing or incomplete, parents will receive an “Immunization Notice” from Public Health.
- If no action is taken, a student may receive an “Order for Suspension from Attendance at School.”
- By law, students may be suspended from school until their immunization record is complete and submitted to Public Health.
Vaccines Required for School Attendance
The following vaccines are mandatory for school-aged children in Ontario:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Meningococcal Disease
- Varicella (Chickenpox) – for children born in 2010 or later
COVID-19 Vaccine
Currently, COVID-19 vaccination is not required for school attendance under ISPA. You are not required to report COVID-19 vaccine records to Public Health.
If You Choose Not to Immunize – Affidavit Process
If you’ve chosen not to immunize your child due to personal beliefs, the ISPA requires the following:
Step 1: Complete a Mandatory Education Session
Watch the 30-minute video below to learn more about:
- How vaccines work
- Vaccine safety
- The role of immunization in protecting community health
- Ontario's immunization laws
▶️ Watch the video in English
▶️ Watch the video in French
Step 2: Contact Public Health
After watching the video, please call 705-721-7520 ext. 8827 to:
- Confirm you’ve completed the education session
- Request a callback if you have any vaccine-related questions
- Ask for an affidavit package, which includes the required Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form
This process applies only to students attending school in Simcoe County or the District of Muskoka. For other regions, please contact your local Public Health Unit.
You will receive:
- A Vaccine Education Certificate (proof that you completed the session)
- The affidavit package (if requested)
Once completed, the original, notarized affidavit must be returned to Public Health. We’ll upload it to your child’s record and mail the original back to you for safekeeping.
Please note: Altered forms will not be accepted.
Medical Exemptions
If your child cannot receive a vaccine due to a medical condition, or if they are already immune to a disease, a Statement of Medical Exemption Form must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
To begin this process or for more information, call us at: 1-877-721-7520 or 705-721-7520 ext. 8827
External Links
Page last updated July 25, 2025
