In Ontario, under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990 (ISPA), all students ages 4–17 must provide proof of routine childhood immunizations or have a valid exemption to attend school. Required vaccines include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, and varicella (for children born in 2010 and after). This helps protect students and the public during vaccine‑preventable disease outbreaks in our community. Grand Erie Public Health enforces ISPA and assesses the children’s immunization status according to the Immunization for Children in Schools and Licensed Child Care Settings Protocol, 2018.
Find out more about required vaccines for school attendance here.
Each year, Grand Erie Public Health assesses immunization records of students to ensure compliance with requirements. Students without proof of immunization or valid exemptions may face school suspension for up to 20 school days.
The assessment process occurs in two phases. In July, we complete the first assessment and send notices to students with incomplete records. This notice explains how to obtain missing immunizations, update records, or complete medical or conscience‑ or religious‑based exemptions. In January, we conduct a second assessment and send notices to students whose records remain incomplete. This second notice includes a school suspension order effective late March for students in the targeted age groups who are still noncompliant with the Immunization of School Pupils Act.
For the 2025–2026 school year, we are assessing students born in 2008, 2009, 2017, and 2018. Students with missing immunization information will be suspended on Tuesday, March 31. Only students missing information or vaccines will receive a letter.
Important note
If you contacted GEPH after receiving a letter and are waiting for a response, please be aware that we are experiencing high call volumes. Please leave only one message; we will return your call as soon as possible, though this may take several days.
To help us serve you better, please leave one message with:
- Your name
- Your child's name (with spelling)
- Your child's date of birth
- Your daytime phone number
- Reason for your call
Reminders
- GEPH requires a complete record of all the vaccinations your child has had, including those administered as an infant.
- Children are required to have two valid doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).
- Children born in or after 2010 are required to have two valid doses of Varicella (Chickenpox).
- Students require a booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis between 14–16 years of age.
- Parents and caregivers are responsible for reporting their child’s immunizations to the Health Unit, as physicians are not required to do this and often do not.
- You can view and report your immunization records to Grand Erie Public Health.
- Proof of COVID‑19 vaccines is currently not a requirement to attend school and does not need to be reported.
What does the immunization reminder letter I received for my child mean?
This means that according to public health records, your child is missing a required vaccine that is part of Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule.
The reason you are receiving this letter is likely for one of four reasons:
- Your child received this required vaccine, but GEPH has not been given a record of it.
- Your child has not received the required vaccine(s).
- Your child has received the vaccine but not at the right time (as per Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule). To get the best protection possible, the age that a vaccine is given is important, as is the timing between vaccines. For example, all children must have two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine given on or after their first birthday and with the two doses at least four weeks apart.
- A valid medical exemption or conscience or religious exemption for immunization has not been submitted to GEPH.
My child has already had a required vaccine. What should I do? (How to report immunizations to GEPH)
If your child has received the required vaccine and it was given at the right time according to the Ontario Routine Immunization Schedule, please report this information to GEPH. If you don't know when the vaccine was given, check your child's immunization record (yellow card) or call your family doctor for this record.
When reporting immunizations, please include:
- Correct spelling of child's name
- Date of birth
- Health Card number
- Daytime phone number
- Date and name of vaccine given
- Name and phone number of family doctor (if applicable)
To report your child's immunization records, please select the region where your child attends school from the drop down menu below:
You can report immunizations in the following ways:
- Report Online Here (Note: use the Ontario Immunization Identification Number or Ontario Health Card Number)
- Phone: 519-753-4937 ext. 451 (please listen carefully to instructions)
- In person: 194 Terrace Hill St., Brantford
- Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- There is an after hours dropbox located outside the main entrance
- Email: immunizationintake@geph.ca (Note: privacy of personal health information submitted by email cannot be guaranteed and should be done at your own risk.)
- Mail: 194 Terrace Hill St., Brantford, ON N3R 1G7
- Fax: 519-753-2140
You can report immunizations in the following ways:
- Report Online Here (Note: use the Ontario Immunization Identification Number or Ontario Health Card Number)
- Phone: 519-900-9600 ext. 3241
- In person: 185 Robinson St., Simcoe or 100 Haddington St., Caledonia
- Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Email: vpdhn@geph.ca (Note: privacy of personal health information submitted by email cannot be guaranteed and should be done at your own risk.)
- Mail: 185 Robinson St Simcoe ON N3Y 5L6
- Fax: 519-426-9246
My child needs one or more required vaccine(s). What should I do?
All required immunizations are free. You can receive missing vaccines from:
- Your family doctor: Contact your family doctor’s office to book an appointment for immunization. It is often helpful to bring the received notice letter so the required vaccines can be reviewed. Once the vaccination is received, be sure to report it to the Health Unit.
- Note: For students 12 years and older who require immunization against meningococcal (Men-C-ACYW-135), health care providers must special order this vaccine from the Health Unit; please let them know when booking the appointment.
- GEPH: We will be holding clinics onsite at high schools (no appointment required) and will also be hosting a number of catch‑up clinics onsite. See the tabs above for further clinic details.
Grand Erie Public Health offers immunization services for any elementary and secondary student facing a barrier to getting in with their family doctor and any high school student unable to attend their school‑based clinic. Please note a health card is not required to access services.
What immunization information is required by law?
GEPH requires proof of immunization against the diseases listed below. To meet these requirements, vaccines must be given according to Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule. As your child gets older, new immunizations are required. For example, students require a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio (Tdap-IPV) at 4 years of age and another tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster 10 years later.
According to Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), students must be fully immunized against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Polio
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Meningitis (meningococcal disease)
- Varicella (chickenpox) (for children born in 2010 and after)
My child can’t receive required vaccine(s) due to health reasons. What should I do?
If your child cannot receive the required vaccine(s) for a medical reason (evidence of existing immunity, health condition, or serious allergy), you must have your Health Care Provider complete a Medical Exemption Form and provide this record to the Health Unit.
Click here for further instructions.
I don’t want my child to receive vaccine(s) for conscience or religious belief. What should I do?
- Your child may expose people with weaker immune systems to vaccine‑preventable diseases that can make them very sick (for example, newborns, cancer patients, older adults).
- Your child is at risk of becoming very sick with vaccine‑preventable diseases.
- If there is a disease outbreak at your child’s school, the Medical Officer of Health may order your child not to attend school until the outbreak ends.