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Immunization for School Pupils
The Immunization of School Pupils Act is a law in Ontario that states all students at school must be fully immunized against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella Meningococcal (Meningitis), Pertusis (Whooping Cough) and Varicella (Chickenpox).
Families transferring from another county or province must provide a full immunization history for their school age children to the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit. This information will not be transferred with the child’s school record. If you do not have an up to date record, you can call the Health Unit in the area where your child previously attended school.
What if I don’t want my child to have any needles?
A high rate of immunization helps to ensure that disease outbreaks do not occur in our community. The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires all students enrolled in school to be adequately immunized against 9 diseases. Families choosing not to vaccinate their child(ren) must provide one of the following to the health unit:
- A Statement of Medical Exemption, which is to be completed by your doctor; OR
- A Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief, with an accompanying Vaccine Education Certificate. The Statement of Conscience of Religious Belief is to be completed by you and signed by a person with special legal authority.
Please contact the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at (519) 426-6170 ext 3214 to book a Vaccine Education Session.
What do I do when my doctor gives my child a needle?
The Haldimand -Norfolk Health Unit is responsible for collecting and maintaining the immunization records of all children enrolled in school within the county. Ask the doctor to write the immunization on the record card. Keep this card. It is your record. It is the job of the parent/guardian to tell public health when the doctor gives their child a needle.
For more information, please contact a member of the Vaccine Preventable disease Team by calling the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623. Records can be faxed to 519-426-9974.
Be Wise…Immunize