Skip to Main Content Health Care Professionals Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube
Search

Immunizations

 

Immunization is one of the most important things you can do to protect the health of your child. Immunizations prevent serious illness by helping the body make its own protection. Vaccines are really important for children who spend time in group settings like child care centres. Children who attend child care centres must be immunized against the following diseases:

  • Tetanus, diphtheria, polio
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (German measles)
  • Meningococcal disease (meningitis)
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Haemophilus influenza type b

In order to attend licensed child care in Haldimand and Norfolk all children must have up-to-date immunizations as outlined in the Publicly Funded Routine Immunization Schedule for Ontario.

Please note that Rotavirus and Pneumococcal are recommended vaccinations.

All children enrolled in licensed child care need to provide one of the following prior to first date of attendance:

  • A photocopy of a valid up-to-date immunization record

OR

  • A valid statement of immunization exemption

Immunization Requirements

The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 requires that all infants and children attending a licensed child care centre be fully immunized as recommended by the Medical Officer of Health. The CCEYA regards a child care centre located in a school, serving children 4 and up, as part of the school. This affects the before and after school programs.

Childhood Immunization

In addition to vaccinations that children need to attend a licensed child care centre, it is the law in Ontario that every child going to school must be immunized and must provide proof of immunization as per ISPA (Immunization of School Pupils Act) that they have received their 4-6 year vaccine of Adacel®Polio and MMRV. Immunizations for School Attendance

Immunization Records Collection

Licensed child care centres must use the Statement of Immunization for Entry into Child Care form to collect information. This form can be obtained from HNHU by calling 1-519-426-6170 extension 3472.

Why does the HNHU review a child’s immunization record? How does the process work?

This information not only assists in meeting requirements for your program’s licensure, but also allows for timely follow up in the event of a vaccine preventable disease outbreak or distributing an important health notice. In the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease, it may be necessary to assess the risk for each child by reviewing immunization records. If the disease causing the outbreak can be prevented by a vaccine affected by legislation  (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), meningococcal disease (meningitis) and pertussis (whooping cough)), children who are not immunized or who have incomplete records will be excluded from attending the child care program until the outbreak is over. The operator of a licensed child care centre forwards all immunization records they have collected from the parents of their attendees annually at the end of September with the forms provided by the Health Unit. The operator also sends a monthly admission or withdrawal form to the Health Unit.  The immunization data is recorded in a confidential province wide computer data base known as Panorama.

If a child is overdue for any immunizations, the Public Health Nurse will provide a letter to the operator of the child care centre to give to the parent/guardian that lists which immunizations are overdue.

Immunization Exemptions

As of August  29, 2016, amendments made to the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 now require that children attending licensed child care and licensed child care workers seeking exemptions from immunization for religious or conscientious reasons, or for medical reasons must submit one of the Ministry of Education exemption forms found below:

Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief-Must be signed by a Commissioner for taking Affidavits.

Statement of Medical Exemption -which must be signed by a healthcare provider and include their license or registration number.

Please note that exemptions made in writing prior to August 29, 2016 will expire on September 1, 2017 unless a new exemption form is submitted.

 

Related Resources

Related Topics