Children must either be up to date with immunizations or have an exemption on file with public health to go to school or child care in Ontario. There are four kinds of exemptions:
- Medical exemption for child care
- Non-medical exemption for child care
- Medical exemption for school pupils
- Non-medical exemption for school pupils
These immunization exemptions are legal documents that must be notarized and not changed in any way. All of the forms are available online or at one of our locations.
Medical exemption for children in child care
If your child is not immunized because of medical reasons, you must have a legal Statement of Medical Exemption (Child Care) form completed by a doctor or a nurse practitioner and filed at the health unit.
Non-medical exemption for children in child care
If you have decided not to immunize your child for non-medical reasons, you must provide a legal Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief (Child Care) form to the health unit.
Medical exemption for school pupils
If your child cannot be immunized because of medical reasons, you must have a legal Statement of Medical Exemption (School Pupils) form completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner and filed at the health unit.
Non-medical exemption for school pupils
- Watch the Vaccine Education Video provided by the Ministry of Health.
- Reach out to Southwestern Public Health to speak with a nurse on the Vaccine Preventable Diseases team if you have questions about any of the information in the video, 1-800-922-0096.
- Once you have watched the video and still wish to move forward with an exemption, complete the Statement of Conscience/Religious Belief form and have it witnessed and signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits.
- Return this completed form, in person, (Monday to Friday 8:30 – 4:30 pm) to 1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas; OR 410 Buller Street, Woodstock.
Risks and responsibilities of not being immunized
If your child is not immunized or not completely immunized, know your risks and responsibilities from the Canadian Paediatric Society. Learn about the diseases that your child is not immunized against, and remember it is never too late to change your mind.