Immunization Records

Immunization Record Vaccines are a safe and effective way to keep children healthy. All health units in Ontario are responsible for ensuring that children who attend school or licensed child care centres in their jurisdictions are immunized according to Ontario's Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule. This is required by the following legislation:

The Day Nurseries Act, which states that daycare operators must ensure that children under their care are immunized as recommended by the local medical officer of health, unless documentation of a religious or conscientious objection, a medical exemption or proof of prior immunity has been submitted
The Immunization of School Pupils Act, which requires students aged 4 to 18 years old to have a complete immunization record on file with York Region Community and Health Services, unless a medical or religious/conscientious exemption has been provided. Children can be suspended from school if their immunizations are not up-to-date, or if their immunization records are incomplete.

Why is it important to know students' immunization status?
Whenever there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, York Region staff consult the immunization records of students who may have been exposed to the disease to determine who has been vaccinated and who may be at risk of becoming ill. This information is used by York Region staff to advise parents on the appropriate measures to take to protect their child. For this reason, it is important that immunization records be up-to-date.

How do we keep your child's immunization record up-to-date?
Every year York Region staff goes through several steps to keep immunization records up-to-date.

Review the student immunization records and send parents questionnaires to request for missing information.
Request for Immunization Information (Markham)
Request for Immunization Information (Newmarket)
Request for Immunization Information - (Private Schools)
If the updated immunization information is not received by York Region Community and Health Services by the date requested, we send you a letter requesting further information.
Important Notice Letter (Newmarket)
If the requested information is not received by the date specified on the questionnaire, a suspension order is issued advising that the child may be suspended from school. The child will not be admitted back to school until the required immunizations have been received and their immunization information has been provided to York Region and Community Health Services

What do parents need to do?
Whenever your child receives an immunization, or you receive a request from York Region for immunization information, please call 1-877-794-1880, so we can update your child's immunization record. Due to the high volume of calls with the phone system, you may also fax this information to 905-895-6066. Please see below for more information about incomplete immunization records.

Information for Parents re incomplete immunization records (Markham)
Information for Parents re Incomplete Immunization records (Newmarket)

What if I want to have my child exempted from the immunization requirements?
If you wish to have your child exempted from receiving the vaccines required to attend school, you must submit a completed medical exemption or Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit to York Region Community and Health Services. Please note that the Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit must be notarized. These forms are listed below:

Conscience/Religious Exemption Letter (Markham)
Conscience/Religious Exemption Letter (Newmarket)
Medical Exemption Letter (Markham)
Medical Exemption Letter (Newmarket)

Statement of Medical Exemption Form 1 (English)
Statement of Medical Exemption Form 1 (French)
Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief Affidavit (English and French)

For more information, please click on the links below or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933

Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act
Daycare Nurseries Act
Immunization of School Pupils Act
Information Sheet for School Administrators - School Act
Personal Health Information Protection Act