Child Care Vaccination Information

Under the Childcare and Early Years Act, 2014, Reg 137/15, the operator of a licensed child care facility is required to ensure that all infants and children enrolled in child care meet one of the following options:

1. Is fully vaccinated as recommended by the local Medical Officer of Health.
2. Has documentation in writing in the form of a Medical Exemption on file with the Health Unit.
3. Has documentation in writing in the form of a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit on file with the Health Unit.

Parents/guardians are required to submit a completed Vaccination History for Child Care Registration form, along with a copy of their child’s vaccination record, if applicable, to the child care facility.

The Child care centre will then submit these documents to the Health Unit’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Program for processing.  Please note that the Health Unit can only accept and process these forms when they are submitted directly by the child care centre.

Child care operators are required to collect and keep vaccination records or applicable exemptions on file at the centre.

Please note that vaccination records or exemptions only need to be maintained for children who are not yet attending school.

Parents/guardians who request a vaccination exemption can contact the Health Unit’s VPD Program to obtain more information about this process. Some children may be exempt from vaccination for medical reasons—such exemptions must be completed and signed by a legally qualified medical practitioner.

Parents/guardians who intend to submit a vaccination exemption with respect to the vaccination requirements under the Childcare and Early Years Act, will need to complete and submit the original Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit or Medical Exemption to the Health Unit’s VPD Program.

Keep in Mind: During an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, a child with a vaccination exemption may not be permitted to attend the child care centre until the outbreak is declared over by the Medical Officer of Health.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 705-474-1400 ext 5252 or email us at vpd@healthunit.ca

Please Note: During an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, a staff or volunteer with a vaccination exemption will not be permitted to attend the child care centre until the outbreak is declared over by the Medical Officer of Health.

Pregnant staff or those who are trying to become pregnant should know their health history. Several childhood diseases can harm the unborn child and the mother if they are not immune.

These diseases are:

•  Chickenpox or Shingles
• Cytomegalovirus
•  Fifth Disease
• Rubella

Prior to pregnancy or as soon as possible in early pregnancy, a woman should talk to her health care provider about any necessary protection.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 705-474-1400 ext 5252 or email us at vpd@healthunit.ca

Ever child care operator shall ensure that all staff and volunteers have received the following required vaccinations prior to commencing employment:

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)    

• One adult dose given 10 years after the adolescent booster (usually 24-26 years of age)

Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)                        

• A booster dose every 10 years after the adult dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)    

• Adults born before 1970 - consider immune, no vaccination required.
• Adults born in or after 1970 - at least 1 dose (2 doses recommended)

OR

• Lab work to confirm immunity is required if unable to confirm vaccine dates or clinical documentation of illness is not available. If immune, no vaccine is required.

Chickenpox (Varicella)          

• Born in 2000 or Later:
  • Individuals will be considered up to date (UTD) and cleared for varicella only if they provide: 
  • Documentation of two (2) doses of varicella-containing vaccine.  
• Born Before 2000 and Under 50 Years of Age: 
  • Individuals will be considered UTD for varicella/compliant with the CCEYA, if one of the following is provided:  
  • Documentation of two (2) doses of varicella-containing vaccine
  • Written documentation from a Physician or Nurse Practitioner confirming a history of varicella infection after 1 year of age
  • Laboratory evidence of immunity (Varicella IgG) ordered by an external Physician or Nurse Practitioner
  • A valid exemption in accordance with applicable legislation.  

Note: The VPD Program will not provide serologic testing requisitions for individuals in this category. 

50 Years of Age and Older: 

• Individuals will be presumed immune based on epidemiologic evidence. 
• No further documentation or follow-up is required.  

The following additional vaccinations are recommended:

• Hepatitis A,
• Hepatitis B,
• Meningococcal,
• COVID-19,
• annual Influenza.

• Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit. Must be notarized by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• Medical Exemption form. Must be completed by a legally qualified medical practitioner.
• Vaccination History for Child Care Registration form (for children).
• Health Assessment of Child Care Personnel (for staff).

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 705-474-1400 ext 5252 or email us at vpd@healthunit.ca