Health Topics

Vaccines and the Law

By law, children must have some vaccines before going to daycare or school in Canada. Children must be immunized for the following diseases:

  • Diphtheria
  • Measles
  • Meningococcal
​
  • Mumps
  • Pertussis
  • Polio
​
  • Rubella
  • Tetanus
  • Varicella
​

Vaccine exemptions

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 in-person immunization education session. The education sessions are based upon standardized content from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.

If you have strong beliefs against getting vaccines, you must complete the following:

If your child is in school

Step 1
Complete the in-person Immunization Education Session at Public Health. Please book an appointment by calling the Vaccine Program Infoline at 905-540-5250.

Step 2
Complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief 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
Submit documentation to Public Health

If your child is in daycare

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
Drop off a copy of the forms at your child’s daycare.

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 particular vaccines required under the Immunization of School Pupils Act

​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.

If your child is in daycare
Statement of Medical Exemption for Child Form

If your child is in school
Statement of Medical Exemption Form

Mail or drop off your forms to:

Public Health Services
Vaccine Program
Robert Thompson Building
110 King Street West, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4S6

If your child is in daycare, drop off a copy of the forms at your child’s daycare.

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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