Children's Vaccination Records
- An up-to-date vaccination record, or
- A valid exemption form
This is required for each child attending a licensed child care centre, licensed home child care agency (Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014) or school (Immunization of School Pupils Act).
Parents are responsible for providing up-to-date vaccination information.
Check your Vaccination Records
You can check to see if your child has the vaccines they need to attend child care or school by:
- Reviewing their vaccination record (yellow)
- Asking your health care provider
- Request your records online
Getting your Child Vaccinated
In addition to the required vaccinations, Public Health strongly recommends:
- Annual flu vaccine (for children of all ages)
- Rotavirus (for children attending child care)
- Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine (for Grade 7 students)
Your child gets vaccines based on a routine schedule starting at two months of age. By following this schedule, your child will stay up-to-date with the required and recommended vaccinations.
When following the routine schedule, timing matters. The schedule gives some age ranges for your child to receive a vaccine (four to six and 14 to 16 years).
Your child becomes overdue for the four to six year booster once they turn seven years of age. However, your child becomes due for their 14 to 16 year booster 10 years after receiving their four to six year booster.
For example, if they receive their four to six year booster at four years of age, they become due for their 14 to 16 year booster at 14 years of age. For questions, contact the vaccine team.
Learn more about where your child can get vaccinated and how to get the vaccines they need.
Report your Child's Vaccinations
You can report your child's vaccination by:
- Completing our online form
- Calling 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425
- Faxing your vaccination record (yellow card) to 905-688-8225
Required Vaccinations
| Vaccine Preventable Disease | Child Care | School |
|---|---|---|
| Diphtheria |  |
|
| Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib) | |
|
| Measles | |
|
| Meningococcal | |
|
| Mumps | |
|
| Pertussis (whooping cough) | |
|
| Pneumococcal | |
|
| Polio | |
|
| Rubella (German measles) | |
|
| Tetanus (lockjaw) | |
|
| Varicella (chickenpox) for children born in 2010 or after | |
|
More Information
-
Answering your child's questions
Toddlers and preschoolers should be told they will be getting a needle just before getting the vaccine. School-aged children can be told at home that they will be getting a needle. Answer the question:
- Why do I need a vaccine? with "To help you stay healthy."
- What will happen? with "The medicine will be put in your arm with a needle."
- How will it feel? with "You might feel a poke or a small sting that will last a few seconds."
After the needle, tell your child that they did well. Positive recognition and rewards after the procedure, such as stickers, help a child feel good about the skills they learned during the procedure.
-
Suspension from school letters
Your child could be suspended from school if their immunization records are not up to date.
Letters are sent out to parents in advance if a suspension is pending.
If you have received a school suspension letter, find out what your options are.
-
Exemption forms
You will need a valid exemption affidavit for your child to attend child care or school when:
- A doctor or nurse practitioner indicates a statement of medical exemption is needed because:
- Your child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine, or
- There's evidence of your child's immunity to the disease, making further immunization unnecessary
- You choose not to vaccinate your child for conscience or religious reasons
-
Resources
- Health Canada provides vaccination and immunization information for parents
- Ontario's Routine Immunization Schedule is also available to help families keep up-to-date on their vaccinations
- Pain management during immunizations for kids and adolescents
- Teens, Meet Vaccines
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
