In Ontario, under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA), all children who attend a licensed child care centre must provide proof of routine childhood immunization or a valid exemption to public health. Required vaccines include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b, rotavirus, and pneumococcal. This information helps protect children, staff, and the public in the event of a vaccine‑preventable disease outbreak.
GEPH is mandated to assess the immunization status of children in accordance with the Immunization for Children in Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings Protocol, 2018. You can visit our Vaccine Fact Sheets page to learn more about required vaccines.
Focused cohorts for the 2025–2026 school year: 2022 and 2023 birth years.
An assessment of immunization records for children in the focused cohorts occurs in late November. Children with incomplete immunization records, or a valid exemption, may be suspended from attending the registered child care facility. GEPH will send a letter with instructions on how to obtain any missing vaccines and how to update your child's immunization records. Child care facilities are provided with lists of children with incomplete immunization records or valid exemptions to follow up with parents.
Keeping Your Child’s Immunization Records Up to Date
- Report all vaccines your child receives to the Health Unit so records are current.
- If your child is missing doses, book an appointment with your health care provider or a community clinic to catch up.
- Bring your child’s immunization records to every vaccine appointment.
Health care providers are not obligated to report your child's vaccination records to GEPH. It is a parent or guardian's responsibility.
Immunization Exemptions
If you choose not to vaccinate your child, please be advised:
- Your child may expose people with weaker immune systems to diseases that can make them very sick, such as newborns, people receiving cancer treatment, and older adults.
- Your child is at higher risk of becoming very sick from vaccine‑preventable diseases.
- If there’s an outbreak at your child’s facility, the Medical Officer of Health may prevent your child from attending until the outbreak ends.
To exempt your child from immunizations for medical, conscientious, philosophical, or religious reasons, you must complete the appropriate exemption form, have it signed by a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario, and return the original to GEPH. A copy must also be provided to the child care facility. Click here for more information.