Exemption from School Vaccinations

Exemption forms must be returned to Public Health by mail. We're not accepting in-person exemption forms because our Public Health offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19.

Important Information When Not Vaccinating Your Child

Choosing not to vaccinate is not just about your child - your family, your child's friends, their families, and the residents of Niagara can all be affected by your decision not to vaccinate your child or yourself.

If you do not vaccinate your child, consider the following:

  • If your child is sick and needs medical attention, you must tell any health care provider your child sees that they have not received vaccinations (such as family doctor, walk-in clinic, hospital, ambulance, dentist)
  • Other children and adults who cannot receive vaccines could be exposed to a highly contagious disease and become deathly ill (such as someone with cancer, a weakened immune system, pregnant women)
  • Your child cannot go to school or daycare and may not be able to attend other activities, such as playgroups or sports, in the event of a community outbreak
  • Depending on how the disease spreads, it may not be possible to avoid exposure. For example, the measles virus remains on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours. An unvaccinated person could get measles just by entering the room.
  • If you plan to travel outside of Canada, you put your child at greater risk of getting vaccine preventable diseases
  • Just because you may not hear about cases of vaccine preventable diseases in Canada, outbreaks do happen. Due to international travel, these diseases are now only a plane ride away.
  • Students who do volunteer work or go to summer camps usually need an up-to-date immunization record. Without up-to-date immunizations, they may not be able to participate in these activities.
  • Students entering a college / university program for a career that deals with the public (such as medical, education, police) are required to have an up-to-date immunization record. Students who do not have this may not be able to register for their program.
  • It's okay for you or your child to change your mind later and receive their complete set of vaccinations. The series may take a few months, or even a few years to complete.

Exemption Affidavits

  • If an exemption form was submitted to Public Health for your child while attending a licensed childcare facility, a new and updated exemption form is required when your child enters a school in Ontario
  • If you choose not to vaccinate your child while attending a school in Ontario, only one exemption form needs to be submitted to Public Health. You're not required to re-submit any additional exemption forms for that child in subsequent years.
  • Niagara Region Public Health cannot accept an affidavit that has been altered, faxed or photocopied. If you require an original for your personal files, have the commissioner of oaths complete two forms.

If you choose not to vaccinate your child for medical, religious or conscience reasons, you must provide one of the following exemptions:

  • Statement of Medical Exemption

    A medical exemption must be completed by your health care provider.

    Niagara Region Public Health cannot legally accept a fax or photocopy of the exemption. If you require an original copy for your personal files, have your health care provider complete two exemptions.

    If you move to another public health unit area at a future date, you may be required to complete another exemption at that time.

    Process to Obtain a Medical Exemption Form:

    1. Download the form or call to have one mailed to you at 905-688-8248 ext. 7425 or 1-888-505-6074
    2. Have your health care provider complete the form
    3. Mail or deliver (in person) the completed form to:
      Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
      c/o Niagara Region Public Health
      P.O. Box 1052, Station Main,
      Thorold, ON L2V 0A2

      Deliveries accepted Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

      If you move to another public health unit area at a future date, you may be required to complete another exemption at that time.

  • Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit

    Mandatory documents now include a Vaccine Education Certificate. The Vaccine Education Certificate is obtained once you have watched a mandatory vaccine education module, available at your local public health office.

    There are things to keep in mind when you choose not to vaccinate your child.

    Parents who are considering a non-medical vaccine exemption, the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires you to have proper documents on file with Niagara Region Public Health.

    Process to Obtain a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit:

    1. Call Niagara Region Public Health at 905-688-3762 or 1-800-263-7248 ext. 7425 to book your mandatory education session with a public health nurse
    2. Complete the session with the nurse and watch the mandatory vaccine education module to obtain a Vaccine Education Certificate and a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit
    3. Complete the form and have it signed and stamped by a Commissioner of Oath, Notary Public, or Justice of the Peace
      • A Commissioner of Oath is available at Niagara Region headquarters by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 905-685-4225 ext. 3221. This is a free service. Parent / legal guardian will be required to provide valid photo identification.
      • Local municipalities may also provide this service, however they may charge a fee. Call ahead in the event an appointment is required.
    4. Return the original exemption form by mail or in-person to Niagara Region Public Health, Vaccine Preventable Disease, along with a copy of your Vaccine Education Certificate
      Main Office Location
      Niagara Region Public Health
      1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Campbell East, Thorold
      Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

      Mailing Address
      Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
      c/o Niagara Region Public Health P.O. Box 1052, Station Main
      Thorold, ON L2V 0A2
    5. A copy of these documents will be attached to your child / children's electronic immunization record at Niagara Region Public Health; however, it is your responsibility to keep copies of these documents

    Once the completed forms are on file with Niagara Region Public Health, that child will no longer risk suspension from school. However, in the event of a community outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, the child may not be able to go to school until the outbreak is declared over.

    This must be done to make every effort possible to protect unvaccinated children from getting a disease their immune system may not be able to fight.

Commissioner of Oaths

A commissioner of oaths is a person authorized to take your oath or solemn affirmation when you sign an affidavit or a statutory declaration. Commissioners of oaths are:

  • Regional clerk or deputy regional clerk
  • City clerk or deputy clerk
  • Treasurers or deputy treasurers of municipalities
  • Justices of the Peace (for items of a legal nature)
  • Lawyers, licensed paralegals
  • MPs, MPPs
  • Police chiefs
  • Some staff at the Service Ontario, Government Information Centre are commissioners

Some commissioners will provide the service at no cost, others may charge a fee. Multiple pieces of photo ID may also be required.

Call your local municipality to find out if the service is available, if there's a cost, and if an appointment is necessary.

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