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Immunization

Immunization requirements for attending school in Ontario.

We are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to collect and maintain up-to-date immunization records for every student in Simcoe Muskoka. Parents are required to submit a copy of their child's immunization record online when registering for school.  We also request that you update us each time your child receives a new vaccine or booster. Health Care providers do not update Public Health with your child’s vaccine records. 

To submit a record, click here.

Please note, at this time COVID-19 vaccines are NOT required for school entry/attendance. As a result, sharing/reporting of COVID-19 vaccines is not required under ISPA.

Here you will also find information on what is needed when your child cannot be immunized for medical reasons, or if you have chosen not to immunize your child.

• The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires us to collect and review each student’s immunization record to make sure it’s complete and up to date for the child’s age.
• Throughout the year we send home “Immunization Notice” letters to let parents know that we are missing immunization information for their child. If you do not respond to this letter, students will then receive an “Order for Suspension from Attendance at School”.
• This law states students may be suspended from school until their immunization record is up to date with us.

The following vaccines are required under the law:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Pertussis
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Meningitis
• Varicella (Chickenpox) (see below)

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The ISPA requires that all children born in 2010 and after have 2 doses of varicella vaccine by age 7. If your child had chickenpox after the age of one year that was confirmed by your health care provider, a medical exemption form can be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. If you are choosing to not have your child vaccinated for chickenpox, you are required to complete an affidavit (see below).

If you have made the decision not to immunize your child, you are required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) to:

1. Complete an Education Session (30 minutes long) by viewing the video link below that covers:

  • basic information about immunization
  • vaccine safety
  • immunization and community health
  • immunization law in Ontario 

English Video

French Video

2.    Once you have watched the video, contact the health unit at 705-721-7520 ext 8827 to indicate:

  • you have completed the education session
  • if you would like a call back from a public health nurse to discuss any vaccine questions you may have
  • if you would like an affidavit package mailed to you (includes a blank Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form)

 

You will be emailed a "Vaccine Education Certificate" (for proof of Education Session completion), along with affidavit package (if requested). When returning the affidavit package, we require the original, notarized affidavit to load to the child's record.  The original affidavit will be mailed back to your address as provided for safe keeping. Please keep the affidavit for future records. If this form is altered in anyway, it will not be accepted. 

If your child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine and/or there is evidence of your child’s immunity to a disease, making further immunization unnecessary, a Statement of Medical Exemption Form needs to be completed.  This form must be taken to your physician or nurse practitioner for completion and then returned to the health unit.

To review this process or for more information, please call us at 1-877-721-7520 or 705-721-7520 ext 8827.

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If you have any questions or concerns that require a response, please contact Health Connection directly.

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