Vaccine Exemptions/Affidavits

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires all school students to be fully immunized unless a valid medical or non-medical/religious exemption is in place. · In Ontario, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) states that all children attending school in Ontario must be adequately immunized against the following diseases:

 

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Meningitis
• Varicella (Chickenpox) is mandatory for students born on or after January 1, 2010.

 

Even though immunization is mandatory in Ontario, some children may be exempted upon completion of the affidavit process.

 

For children who are registered for school:

 

As of September 1, 2017, the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) was changed. A parent/legal guardian who is seeking a non-medical exemption from immunizations for one or more of their children needs to:

 

• Watch an immunization education session online
• Submit a notarized ISPA “Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief” affidavit form to the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit

 

Both of these steps need to be completed before an exemption can be processed. Please call the Health Unit at 519-426-6170 ext 3214 for more information

 

The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) requires operators of licensed child care centres to ensure that children who are under their care are immunized as recommended by the local Medical Officer of Health. Children in licensed child care centres in Haldimand-Norfolk must be adequately immunized against the following diseases:

 

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Haemophilus influenza b (Hib)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Meningitis o Varicella (Chickenpox) (vaccination mandatory for children born on or after January 1, 2010)

 

For children attending a child care centre, who are not yet registered for school:

 

• Watch an immunization education session online
• Submit a notarized ISPA “Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief” affidavit form to the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit

 

Both of these steps need to be completed before an exemption can be processed. Please call the Health Unit at 519-426-6170 ext 3214 for more information