Vaccine Exemptions/Affidavits

Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA)

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires all school students between ages 4-17 to provide proof of routine immunizations to attend school. The health unit assesses the immunization status of students to protect all students in case there is a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak in the community. Public health units in Ontario are mandated to enforce ISPA. Students who fail to provide proof of immunization or submit a valid exemption may be suspended from school for up to 20 school days.  The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) states that all children attending school in Ontario must be fully immunized, unless a valid medical or non-medical/religious exemption is in place, 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:

A parent/legal guardian who is seeking a non-medical exemption from one or more vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) immunizations must:

1. Watch the Vaccine Education Video provided by the Ministry of Health. The Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit is not currently issuing educational certificates. However, you must email the Vaccine Preventable Disease team (vpd@hnhss.ca) to report that you have viewed the educational video. In your email, please include the full name(s) and date of birth(s) for the student(s) for whom you are seeking an exemption.
2. Once you have watched the video, if you wish to proceed with the exemption, you must complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit and have it notarized by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario (fees may apply).
3. Submit the original Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit to the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit (Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 p.m.) at
   185 Robinson St Simcoe, ON; 100 Haddington St. Caledonia or 117 Forest St. E, Dunnville. For legal purposes, the Haldimand Norfolk Health Unit is unable to accept affidavits that have been altered.

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

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Polio
• Haemophilus influenza b (Hib)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Meningitis or 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 must be completed before an exemption can be processed. Please call the Health Unit at 519-900-9600 ext 3214 for more information.