Immunization information for child care licensees

Licensee clarifications on how the Child Care and Early Years Act is implemented in Niagara.

Staff, volunteer and household immunization requirements

The Medical Officer of Health determines what health assessments and immunizations are needed for staff, volunteers and students. Staff refers to child care employees and contracted home child care providers — including partners, spouses, frequent visitors and adult children who routinely interact with the children — working in Niagara.

Directed vaccines (required for all staff)

Some of the directed vaccines may only be publicly funded under certain conditions. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

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Hepatitis B

Affects the liver and can cause permanent damage, spreads through blood and bodily fluids.

  • Previously completed series, or
  • One dose at start of employment, series completed within one year, or
  • Given alone or as combined Hep A/B vaccine (Twinrix), or
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity

Learn about Hepatitis B.

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Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air even after the infectious person has left the room.

  • Adults born in or after 1970: one dose of measles-containing vaccine required, or
  • Adults born before 1970: considered immune, or
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity

Learn about measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).

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Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)

Protects against lockjaw, a bacterial throat / skin infection, and whooping cough — especially dangerous to infants.

  • One dose of Tdap as an adult (18+)
  • Td booster every 10 years thereafter

Learn about tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

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Varicella (chicken pox)

Spreads through the air days before the rash appears and can lead to severe complications.

  • Previously completed series, or
  • Self-reported previous infection, or
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity, or
  • Two doses if none of the above apply — one at start of employment, one within six months

Learn about chickenpox.

Recommended vaccines (not required)

  • Annual flu shot
  • Annual COVID-19 vaccination each fall (spring dose may apply for high-risk groups)
  • Two doses of measles-containing vaccine if born in or after 1970 (only one is required)
  • One dose of measles-containing vaccine if born before 1970 with no recalled measles infection

Who needs to submit documentation

Requirements differ depending on the person's role and how much contact they have with children in licensed child care.

Staff and contracted home child care providers

Must submit to their child care licensee

Providing an immunization record and / or reasons for exemption fulfills the Act's health assessment requirement.

Must have easy onsite access to either:

The Employment Immunization Status for Child Care form can track this for new hires (optional for current staff). It stays on file with the licensee; Public Health does not collect it. Public Health only requests these records if the facility has an outbreak.

Volunteers and students

Recommended only

The same vaccines are recommended for volunteers and students as for staff. Their immunization status (including health assessment) do not need to be submitted to the licensee.

Other people in a home child care premise

Depends on contact

Partners, spouses, frequent visitors and adult children who live in or often visit.

  • Routinely interact with children: directed vaccinations apply, status must be submitted to the child care licensee
  • Don't routinely interact: vaccination only recommended, no submission needed

Children 17 and under living in a home child care premise are recommended to follow the publicly funded schedule.

Getting vaccinated

Staying up to date helps protect children in care and prevents closures from vaccine-preventable outbreaks. It also helps staff stay healthy, care for those who depend on them and avoid missing work. Learn where to get vaccinated.

Immunization status for children in child care

Have the parent or guardian complete the Child Care Immunization Form at registration. The child care licensee sends the completed form and the child's immunization information (immunization record or valid exemption form) to Public Health.

See information about vaccine exemptions.

When completing the online Conscience / Religious Belief statement, parents / guardians must choose "Parent of a Child" under "Choose Your Status." Choosing "Individual" will generate a form that cannot be accepted as a valid exemption for the child.

Immunization information for children also attending a publicly funded or private school don't need to be reported.

Submit the Child Care / Nursery School Monthly Report Form by the 10th of each month — report "No" if there are no changes. Attach immunization records for any new enrolments.

Public Health conducts immunization record reviews throughout the year on a rotating basis. Child care centres will be contacted when it is their turn to participate.

Licensees do not need to determine whether children are up to date on their vaccinations.

To meet Child Care and Early Years Act requirements, licensees must:

  • Collect and maintain immunization information for enrolled children and provide it to Public Health
  • Participate in immunization record reviews when requested
  • Remind parents / guardians to report new vaccinations to both their child care provider and Public Health

Reminding parents and guardians

Ontario requires parents to report all vaccines for children under 18 to Public Health and for children in licensed child care to their provider as well.

Submitting documents

MOVEit is the preferred method for returning confidential documents (functions like Dropbox, with no data-breach risk). Fax, mail and email are still accepted.