Vaccines & Immunizations
Vaccine Exemptions
Your child may be exempted from vaccines mandated by ISPA or CCEYA for medical reasons or conscientious beliefs. Please refer to the applicable reason in the tabs below for full details.
Exemption forms for school and daycare are different as they apply to different mandates. The exemption forms for school (JK to grade 12) are for the purpose of exempting a child from requirements belonging to Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). The exemption forms for daycare are for the purpose of exemption a child from requirements of Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA). Therefore, the exemptions submitted for CCEYA do not apply to ISPA and the process for ISPA exemptions must be completed separately.
If your child cannot get a vaccine for medical reasons, ask your doctor to fill out one of the following forms to let public health know your child will not get the vaccines.
Step 1: Please request your primary care provider to complete the Statement of Medical Exemption Form.
Step 2: Submit a copy of the completed form to the City of Hamilton Public Health Services by mail:
City of Hamilton Public Health Services
Vaccine Program, P.O. Box 897
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3P6
Step 1: Please request your primary care provider to complete the Statement of Medical Exemption for Child Form.
Step 2: Provide a copy of the completed form to your child’s daycare and submit a copy to the City of Hamilton Public Health Services by mail:
City of Hamilton Public Health Services
Vaccine Program, P.O. Box 897
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3P6
As of September 1st, 2017, non-medical vaccine exemptions for school age children (under the Immunization of School Pupils Act) will require the completion of an immunization education session. The education sessions are based upon standardized content from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. Due to the COVID19 pandemic the completion of an in-person Immunization Education Session has been temporarily removed until further notice.
If you have strong beliefs against getting vaccines, you must complete one of the following forms to let public health know your child will not get the vaccines.
Step 1: Watch the Online Immunization Education Session.
Once you have completed the video, please call the Vaccine Program Infoline at 905-540-5250 to attest to watching the video and request a ISPA education certificate.
Step 2: Complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief - Immunization of School Pupils Act form for children in school to let public health know your child will not get the vaccines.
Step 3: The form must be commissioned or notarized by a commissioner or notary public. You may choose to go to City Hall to commission the form.
Step 4: Provide the original commissioned or notarized form to the City of Hamilton Public Health Services by mail:
City of Hamilton Public Health Services
Vaccine Program, P.O. Box 897
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3P6
Step 1: Complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief form for children in daycare to let public health know your child will not get the vaccines.
Step 2: The form must be commissioned or notarized by a commissioner or notary public. You may choose to go to City Hall to commission the form.
Step 3: Provide a copy of the commissioned or notarized form to your child’s daycare. Provide the original to the City of Hamilton Public Health Services by mail:
City of Hamilton Public Health Services
Vaccine Program, P.O. Box 897
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3P6
Upon completion, parents/guardians will receive a certificate of completion. Combined with the notarized Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief the child will be exempt from receiving the identified vaccine(s) required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
If you choose not to vaccinate your child, you increase their risk of getting disease. Your child must be kept home from school or daycare if there is a disease outbreak that could put them at risk.
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