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Immunization & Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Enforcement of the Immunization of the School Pupils Act
- Secondary Schools, April 2012 -

Immunization leads to improved individual and population health. It also helps save lives and prevent serious illnesses.

Here you will find information about routine immunization, school immunization, online immunization reporting, vaccine safety, vaccine exemption, vaccine schedule, adult immunization and links to forms and resources.

Routine Immunization

Immunizations help the body make its own protection (or antibodies) against certain diseases. They are given to people to prevent against a variety of diseases including; diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), varicella (chickenpox), meningitis, pneumonia, and influenza.

Routine immunizations are provided by Public Health to residents of Waterloo Region who do not have a health care provider. Please review the information about clinic hours and locations on the Immunization Clinic page.

School Immunization

School Immunization Schedule

For a list of schools and dates of when students will be immunized, click on the schedule above.

Hepatitis B and Meningococcal Conjugate are offered to all Grade 7students, and HPV to girls in Grade 8. For consent forms for these types of immunization, click on the appropriate links above.

The Immunization of School Pupils Act

The Immunization of School Pupils Act requires that Public Health maintain the immunization records of all students in Waterloo Region. Our Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program needs to keep the immunization records of ALL students in all grades at private, public and catholic schools.

The Enforcement of the Act ensures that immunization coverage rates of students are improved and students get the maximum amount of protection against vaccine preventable diseases.

If you receive a letter from Public Health in the mail, please arrange a visit with your health care provider to update your child's immunizations then call us at the number provided on the letter to inform us of the date each vaccine was given.

Vaccine Exemption

You may decide because of medical, religious or philosophical reasons not to immunize your child. In this case, you will need to provide a valid written exemption to us (your local public health unit). If the disease appears in your child's school or childcare centre, your child may have to stay out of school/childcare until the disease is no longer present.

A notarized statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit must be forwarded to us.

If you require a medical exemption, please contact us at 519-883-2007 to obtain the forms. After completion, these forms must be sent back to us.

As per the Day Nurseries Act (DNA) children attending licensed childcare centres should be immunized according to their age and as recommended in the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario or as directed by the Medical Officer of Health. The immunization exemption forms for Day Nurseries are available here:

Immunization Reporting

We are responsible for collecting and maintaining updated immunization information for students aged four - 18 years attending school and for children in licensed child care centers in Waterloo Region.

Note: Primary care providers (doctors) will provide parents with a record of immunization, but will not report this information to us. Parents are responsible for notifying us each time their child receives an immunization.

Please have an updated copy of your child's "yellow card" or printout of their immunization record ready prior to completing the online form.

Online:

To report immunizations online, go to:
https://e-immunization.regionofwaterloo.ca

By phone:

To reach a nurse, call 519-883-2007 (option #6)

Personal Health Information: By completing this online reporting form, you are consenting to the collection and use of your personal health information by Region of Waterloo Public Health to maintain the provincial immunization database. For further information about this, please contact us at 519-883-2000.

Vaccine Safety

Vaccines used in Canada are very safe. They are developed in accordance with the highest standards and are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness.

If you have any questions, call your doctor, nurse practitioner or visit Canada http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/ or www.immunize.cpha.ca.

Minor side effects from vaccines such as mild and localized redness and swelling or tenderness of the spot where the vaccine was administered and mild fever are common but go away quickly.

Vaccine Schedule

Vaccines trigger the child's immune system to make antibodies to fight disease, and for it to work best children must have all their immunization on time.

Please check the Immunization Schedule of the recommended routine immunization for children in Ontario.

If you have a question about your child's immunization, contact a nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Disease Program at 519-883-2007 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Also, check with your doctor or nurse practitioner to see if your older children may be eligible for any of the new vaccines now available for children in Ontario.

Immunization Records

Every child needs an immunization record. Keep a written record of all your child's immunizations on the "yellow card".

Check here to see the Immunization Record postcard.

To request immunization records, call 519-883-2007 (option #7).

Adult Immunization

You are never too old for immunization.

Recommended immunization for adults (25, 35, 45+ years) are:

Tetanus/Diphtheria (every ten years)

For adults who have completed a polio series in the past, routine polio boosters are not needed with some exceptions.

Other vaccines are also recommended based on age, medical conditions, employment and increased risk of infection. These may include:

Influenza
Pneumococcal
Rabies
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Meningococcal

Also, all adults 19 - 64 of age who have never received the Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) vaccine in adolescence are now eligible to receive one lifetime (publicly funded) dose of the vaccine. This lifetime dose replaces one of the Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria) booster doses given every ten years.

Special vaccines may be needed when travelling outside North America. These are accessed through our International Travel Clinic.

Immunization Resources

Immunization Education Campaign - Public Health Agency of Canada website

Forms - Child Care Centres

Instructions for Collection, Maintenance and Completion of Child Care Forms for child care centre operators and providers

Parent Information Letter for children attending a child care centre in Waterloo Region

Immunization Information Form for new registrants attending a child care centre in Waterloo Region

Immunization Update Form for children attending a child care centre in Waterloo Region

Child Care Centre Enrolment List Form

The following form is for child care providers and is to be kept on site at the child care centre. If you have any questions about this form please call Public Health at 519-883-2272.

Form for employees/providers/volunteers in child care centres

boy smiling while nurse putting a bandaid on his upper arm

Contact(s)