Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that all children and adolescents attending primary or secondary school be appropriately immunized against designated diseases, unless they have a valid exemption. All immunization requirements for school attendance align with Ontario's publicly funded immunization schedule.

In order to identify students susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, we collect, assess and maintain immunization records of children attending all Public (LKDSB), Catholic (SCCSB), French (CSDECSO) and Private (OACS) schools. 

By law, students must have proof of immunization against the following ISPA designated diseases:

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Meningococcal Disease
• Varicella (Chickenpox) – children born in 2010 or later

Children and adolescents who have received all recommended vaccines as per the immunization schedule will not require any further immunizations. To submit your child’s immunization record to CK Public Health click here.

For more information, please see the following: Parent Handout

Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) requires licensed child care centres to ensure that all children in attendance are fully immunized or have a valid exemption form on file. All immunization requirements for children align with Ontario's publicly funded immunization schedule.

In order to identify children susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, we collect, assess and maintain immunization records of children attending licensed child care facilities.

By law, children must have proof of immunization against the following CCEYA designated diseases:

• Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio
•  Tetanus
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Meningococcal Disease
• Varicella (Chickenpox)

*Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Haemophilus influenza type b and influenza vaccines are also strongly encouraged.

To submit your child’s immunization record to CK Public Health click here.

Infant and childhood vaccines prevent diseases that can be serious and even deadly. Some examples:

• Measles can cause brain swelling, which can lead to brain damage or death.
• Mumps can cause permanent deafness.
• Meningitis can also lead to permanent deafness or brain damage.
• Polio can cause permanent paralysis.

Any child can be exposed to these infections. While avoiding contact with sick people is useful, infections like measles can also spread through the air. Your child may come in contact with people are carrying germs, even if they don’t seem sick. There are no treatments or cures for diseases like measles, mumps and polio. The only proven way to protect your child is with vaccines.  

Delaying or refusing some or all vaccines for your child puts his health and life at risk. It also risks the health of other people. Those most at risk include:

• People with weakened immune systems due to other diseases or medications they are taking.
• People with chronic medical conditions like lung, heart, liver, kidney disease or diabetes.
• Newborn babies, who are too young to be vaccinated against most diseases.
• The elderly, who may be at higher risk of complications from diseases.

Communities, including Chatham-Kent depend on high immunization rates to keep vaccine-preventable diseases from spreading. When more people are immunized, there is less risk for everyone. The more parents that choose to not vaccinate their children, the greater the risk that infection will spread in the community.

If you choose not to fully vaccinate your child, please follow these steps:

If your child is sick and you call or visit a health care provider, immediately tell office staff and the doctor that your child is not vaccinated (whether for some or all vaccines). They will consider the possibility that your child has a vaccine-preventable disease, which may affect what tests they do. If your child has a vaccine-preventable disease, precautions can be taken so that the disease does not spread to others.

Always keep vaccine records accessible so that you can report which vaccines your child has received, if any.

* Adapted from Choosing not to Vaccinate your Child? Know your Risks and Responsibilities (Caring for Kids, Canadian Paediatric Society).

Immunizations are required by law in Ontario (Child Care and Early Years Act – CCEYA and Immunization of School Pupils Act – ISPA) for children 0-18 years of age to attend school or a licensed child care centre.

Medical Exemption Steps

If there is a medical reason you wish to have your child exempt from any/all of the immunization requirements, you must:

1. Print off the Medical Exemption form and bring it to your healthcare provider for authorization and completion. School (Ages 4-18): ISPA Medical /ISPA Medical FRANCAIS   |  Child Care (Ages 0-3): CCEYA Medical
2. Submit the original forms in person to CK Public Health, 435 Grand Ave. W, 2nd floor of Health and Family Services building.

Non-Medical (Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief) Exemption Steps

For those seeking a Non-Medical Exemption, as required by the Ministry of Health, the parent/legal guardian of a student must complete the following:

1. Watch an online Vaccine Education Video  / Vaccine Education Video French /Vaccine Education Video Low German. The online video consists of an evidence-based learning module that will take less than 30 minutes to complete. If you have any questions or concerns with any of the content in the video, please call 519.352.7270 ext. 2457 to speak with a public health nurse.
2. Submit a completed and notarized ISPA/CCEYA form for each child. The original forms must be submitted in person to CK Public Health, 435 Grand Ave. W., 2nd floor. Choose the appropriate form: School (Ages 4-18): ISPA Non-Medical /ISPA Non-Medical FRANCAIS   |  Child Care (Ages 0-3):  CCEYA Non-Medical

Forms may be notarized by any of the following:

A. In Ontario: Sec. 1. (1)

• Members of the Assembly
• Provincial Judges or Justices of the Peace
• Barrister and Solicitors entitled to practice law in Ontario

B. Local Municipality Sec. 1. (2) Municipality of Chatham-Kent

• Clerk or Deputy Clerk of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent (315 King St. W., Chatham)
• CSR (Customer Service Representative) at any Chatham-Kent Municipal office.

Note: Photo ID is required for person(s) who will be signing as a parent/legal guardian.

Once your completed form has been successfully submitted to CK Public Health, you will be issued an Education Certificate that never expires and can be used for more than one child of the same family at any time in the future.

*Note: CCEYA exemptions expire when your child starts school. ISPA exemptions will then be required. A notarized form is required for each child.