Exemptions for Immunizations

Exemptions - School

Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that parents of children attending primary and secondary school provide their local medical officer of health with proof of their child’s immunization against designated diseases. If the Health Unit does not receive the required immunization records or a valid exemption, your child may be suspended from school until the required records are provided.   Vaccines currently required for school attendance include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough), and varicella (chickenpox).   

Non-Medical Exemptions (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit)

Parents wishing to submit an exemption will need to follow these steps:

  1. Watch the Vaccine Education Video about vaccines and exemptions for school-age children.
  2. Answer quiz questions and complete form to get your vaccine education certificate.  Note, keep your vaccine education certificate as you can use it to submit non-medical exemptions for your other children if needed. 
  3. Print education certificate.
  4. Print and complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form for school-age children and take the completed form to a Commissioner of Oaths to have it signed.  You will need one form for each child that needs an exemption. 
  5. The affidavit must be signed and stamped by the Commissioner of Oath: 
    1. Municipal Clerks or Deputy Clerks for your local municipality
    2. Members of the Provincial Government (MPPs)
    3. Provincial Judges
    4. Justices of the Peace  
    5. Barristers or Solicitors licensed to practice law in Ontario  
    6. Licensed Paralegals  
    7. A notary Public 
  6. Fees may apply
  7. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit and the education certificate to your local health unit office.

Statement of Medical Exemption

The following steps must be completed to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for medical reasons: 

  1. Complete the NEPH Cover Letter (add link to letter)
  2. Complete the Statement of Medical Exemption Form (for school-age children)
  3. Speak with your physician to have the medical exemption form completed. This form must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.  
  4. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Medical Exemption Form along with the NEPH Cover Letter to your local health unit office. 

Exemptions - Licensed Child Care Centre  

Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) states that a licensed child care centre must ensure that all children in their centre have complete immunization appropriate to their age prior to admission to the child care centre. A record of immunization must be kept as part of each child’s record.  

The following vaccines are required for childcare centre attendance: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, pertussis (whooping cough), varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, and haemophilus influenzae type b.

Non-Medical Exemptions (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit)

Parents wishing to submit an exemption will need to follow these steps:

  1. Complete NEPH Cover Letter (add link to letter once on NEPH letterhead)
  2. Print and complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form for child care centres and take the completed form to a Commissioner of Oaths to have it signed. You will need one form for each child that needs an exemption. 
  3. The affidavit must be signed and stamped by the Commissioner of Oath: 
    1. Municipal Clerks or Deputy Clerks for your local municipality
    2. Members of the Provincial Government (MPPs)
    3. Provincial Judges
    4. Justices of the Peace  
    5. Barristers or Solicitors licensed to practice law in Ontario  
    6. Licensed Paralegals  
    7. A notary Public 
  1. Fees may apply
  2. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit along with the NEPH Cover Letter to your local health unit office. 

Statement of Medical Exemption

The following steps must be completed to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for medical reasons: 

  1. Complete NEPH Cover Letter (add link to letter) (add link to letter once on NEPH letterhead)
  2. Complete the Statement of Medical Exemption Form (for child care centres)
  3. Speak with your physician to have the medical exemption form completed. This form must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.  
  4. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Medical Exemption Form to your local health unit office.

Licensed Child Care Centre Staff 

Before starting employment at licensed child care centres, child care workers must meet the immunization requirements set forth by the local medical officer of health. This entails being up-to-date with the recommended immunizations or having a valid exemption.

Non-Medical Exemptions (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit)

  1. Print and complete the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Form (for child care centres, selecting “individual”) and take the completed form to a Commissioner of Oaths to have it signed.
  2. The affidavit must be signed and stamped by the Commissioner of Oath: 
    1. Municipal Clerks or Deputy Clerks for your local municipality
    2. Members of the Provincial Government (MPPs)
    3. Provincial Judges
    4. Justices of the Peace  
    5. Barristers or Solicitors licensed to practice law in Ontario  
    6. Licensed Paralegals  
    7. A notary Public 
  3. Fees may apply
  4. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit to your local health unit office.

Statement of Medical Exemption

The following steps must be completed to ensure your child is exempt from the vaccination for medical reasons: 

  1. Complete NEPH Cover Letter (add link to letter) (add link to letter once on NEPH letterhead)
  2. Complete the Statement of Medical Exemption Form (for child care centres)
  3. Speak with your physician to have the medical exemption form completed. This form must be signed by a physician or nurse practitioner.  
  4. Return the original signed copy of the Statement of Medical Exemption Form along with the NEPH Cover Letter to your local health unit office. 

Rescinding an Exemption

If you wish to rescind an exemption, please complete the attached form (add link to letter once on NEPH letterhead) and submit it to your local health unit office.