Reporting Requirements
By law, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to report all immunizations to Lambton Public Health. To learn more about how to access immunization records, reporting steps, and the exemption process, visit our section on Immunizations for Children and Youth.
School Attendance
Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), parents/guardians of children attending public or private elementary and secondary schools must provide public health with proof of their child’s immunization (or exemption) against specific diseases, including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal disease, Pertussis (whooping cough), and Varicella (chickenpox for children born in 2010 or later).
Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records on file at their local public health unit may be suspended from school until records are provided. A child who has not received required vaccines may be excluded from school due to an outbreak or an immediate risk of an outbreak of a designated disease (regardless of legal exemption).
See Ontario’s School Immunization Checklist for more information.
Licensed Child Care Attendance
Ontario’s Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) states that a child care centre must ensure that all children in their centre have completed immunizations appropriate to their age (or provided exemption) prior to admission, and a record of immunization must be kept as part of each child’s record.
Parents/guardians are to submit records to their child care centre and also report immunizations to Lambton Public Health.
A child who has not received required vaccines may be excluded from daycare due to an outbreak or an immediate risk of an outbreak of a designated disease (regardless of legal exemption).
To learn more about how to access immunization records, reporting steps, and the exemption process, visit our section on Immunizations for Children and Youth.
Where to get Vaccinated
Book an appointment with your child’s health care provider to get these routine vaccines. Visit our immunization clinics page for options if you are unable to obtain these vaccines from a health care provider.
Process for School Suspension Orders
Suspension Orders under the Immunization of School Pupils Act
Note: Timelines may change from year to year.
Step 1
First Notice letters are mailed in JANUARY to parents/guardians of students with incomplete immunization records with Lambton Public Health. Learn more about reporting immunization records.
Step 2
Suspension Orders are mailed in FEBRUARY to parents/guardians who have not responded to the First Notice and updated their child’s immunization record with Lambton Public Health. Learn more about reporting immunization records.
Step 3
If records are not updated before the suspension date in MARCH, all schools are notified of student suspensions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Additional information will be provided to outline steps for returning to school as quickly as possible once immunization records are updated with Lambton Public Health.