Child care staff and volunteers have extensive exposures to infants and children on a daily basis. Maintenance of an up-to-date vaccination record is essential to protect the health of both child care staff and the children in their care. 

The Childcare and Early Years Act, 2014, Reg 137/15, requires child care operators to ensure that all staff and volunteers in a child care facility are fully vaccinated as recommended by the local Medical Officer of Health. Staff and volunteers must submit to the child care centre a completed Health Assessment of Child Care Personnel form and a copy of their vaccination record if appropriate, for submission to the Health Unit’s VPD Program. The Health Unit will only accept and process forms submitted by the child care centre. Child care operators must collect and maintain vaccination records or exemptions on file at the centre. 

Staff or volunteers who request a vaccination exemption can contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s VPD Program to obtain more information about this process. 

The objection to vaccination must be based on the grounds that the vaccination conflicts with sincerely held convictions of the staff or volunteer’s religion or conscience. Staff or volunteers may be exempt from vaccination for medical reasons – such exemptions must be completed and signed by a legally qualified medical practitioner. 

Staff or volunteers 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 North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s VPD Program. 

Links to Forms