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
​

Health Services Appeal and Review Board Decision

Please be advised that on June 18, 2019 the Health Services Appeal and Review Board (HSARB) ruled that the Respondent does not have the ability or the discretion to alter the terms and content of the prescribed (ISPA/CCEYA Affidavit) form.

The content of the form, whether it is that portion which contains the information the legislature has specifically determined needs to be communicated or whether it relates to the wording of the Affidavit itself is a matter for the legislature. It is simply not open to the Respondent to alter a prescribed form or the Affidavit contained in it or to accept an altered form in fulfillment of the requirements of the Act. 

Because of this decision, effective November 11, 2019 the City of Hamilton will no longer accept any affidavit’s with alterations.

You can access the full details  of this decision by visiting the Health Services Appeal and Review Board.

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.

Update July 1, 2021-Due to the COVID19 pandemic the completion of an in-person Immunization Education Session has been temporarily removed until further notice. Please refer to the “if you have strong beliefs against getting vaccines” for full details

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

If your child is in school

Step 1 (update due to COVID-19)
Complete the Online Immunization Education Session YouTube Video: English |  French

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 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 your forms to:

City of Hamilton Public Health Services
Vaccine Program, P.O. Box 897
Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 3P6

If your child is in daycare, mail a copy of the forms to 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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