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

If you have strong beliefs against getting vaccines, you can complete 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 Conscience or Religious Belief for Child Form
• If your child is in school
  • Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form

The form must be notarized by a commissioner or notary public.  You may choose to go to City Hall to notarize the form.

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.