Immunization Requirements for School

Step 1:

Compare the immunization record OPH has on file for your child (shown in your Notice), with your immunization records at home and with your child’s health care provider.

Note: Only vaccines required for attending a school are shown in your Notice.

Step 2:

If your child received the vaccine(s) listed as missing in your letter, update your child’s immunization record with OPH.

If your child is missing the vaccine(s) listed. Please have your child receive the vaccine(s) through their health care provider, a walk-in clinic or through the OPH immunization clinic. Update OPH once your child receives the vaccine(s).  

If you are having difficulty accessing publicly funded vaccines in the community and/or need a nurse to assess your child’s immunization record from another country, contact the OPH Information Centre at 613-580-6744, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), a Statement of Medical Exemption is accepted. A parent/guardian must complete a standardized ministry approved exemption form.

A medical exemption can be submitted if a child attending a school in Ottawa has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine or there is evidence of immunity to the disease making further immunization unnecessary.

In the event of an outbreak related to a vaccine preventable disease, any child with certain medical exemptions on file will be excluded from attending school until the risk related to the outbreak has ended.

• Print the Statement of Medical Exemption, Immunization School Pupils Act.
• Have your child’s health care provider complete the form (you may be charged a fee).
• Send a copy of the completed exemption form to OPH by:
  • Mail: Immunization Unit, Mail Code 26-42, 100 Constellation Dr, Ottawa ON, K2G 6J8; or
  • Fax: 613-580-9660

• Keep the original for your own records.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief is accepted. A parent/guardian must complete a standardized ministry approved exemption form in addition to the following steps:

1. Watch the online Vaccine Education Video by Ontario’s Ministry of Health.
   • The video is 28 minutes long. The video has closed captioning/subtitles.
   • If you do not have access to a computer or electronic device to watch the video, call 613-580-6744 to discuss other options.
   • The Vaccine Education Video covers:
     • Basic information about immunization
     • Vaccine safety
     • Immunization and community health
     • Immunization law in Ontario
Fill and sign the

 and send it to Ottawa Public Health by:
• Fax: 613-580-9660 or,
• Mail: Ottawa Public Health, Immunization Unit; Mail code: 26-42; 100 Constellation Drive; Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8 or,
• Email: Immunization@ottawa.ca
1. Book a telephone appointment to speak with a nurse to complete the required Vaccine Information Session:
• You will be provided with a Vaccine Education Certificate. This certificate may be needed to get your non-medical exemption form witnessed and signed. Keep the original copy.
• If you require assistance with booking an appointment, call 613-580-6744 to speak to a Public Health Nurse.
2. Fill out the Statement of Conscience and Religious Belief – Immunization of School Pupils Act form. Ensure to sign the form in the presence of a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits (Note: you may be charged a fee).
   • You may visit one of the City of Ottawa Service Centre locations. Send the completed form to Ottawa Public Health using the same options outlined in Step #2 (fax, mail, or email). Keep the original copy.
   • In the event of an outbreak related to a vaccine preventable disease, any child with a conscience or religious belief exemption on file will be excluded from attending school until the risk related to the outbreak has ended.

All the steps above must be completed before Ottawa Public Health can process the student’s non-medical vaccine exemptions.

IMPORTANT: E-mailing personal information is not recommended. Email communication to Ottawa Public Health should only be used for general inquiries. By using email to communicate, you are accepting the risk and responsibility that the security of personal information cannot be guaranteed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.