Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption. Toronto Public Health (TPH) reviews immunization records of students attending school in Toronto in accordance with the ISPA.
Vaccination is important for the health of each student and the school community.
Parents and guardians of children from four to 17 years of age can receive ISPA vaccines at all six TPH immunization clinics by booking an appointment online. OHIP is not required.
Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) requires that students be vaccinated against nine designated diseases or have a valid exemption:
If you got a letter from Toronto Public Health, it means that we do not have your child’s up-to-date vaccination record.
Check your child’s yellow vaccine card to see whether they got the required vaccines. If you are unsure, speak to a health care provider.
Parents are responsible for reporting child immunizations to Toronto Public Health. Health care providers do not have this responsibility.
You can also use these options to report vaccinations from outside Ontario/Canada or records in languages other than English.
What to do if:
Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) is a secure online provincial system used to track and report a child’s immunizations to Toronto Public Health.
To use ICON you will need to create an account and set a Personal Identification Number (PIN), and will require your child’s:
Once your child’s vaccination record is complete in ICON, you can access a copy of their vaccination record when needed. For example, ICON can generate an electronic yellow vaccination card when proof of vaccination is required.
Call Toronto Public Health if:
A student may be exempted from immunization under the ISPA for medical reasons or due to conscious or religious belief. To apply a valid exemption on your child’s immunization record for:
For more information on immunization exemptions call 416-338-7600.
If there is a vaccine preventable disease case or outbreak at your child’s school, your child might be excluded from school to keep them and their school safe.
For children in a license child-care centre and are not in grade school do not need to attend an immunization education session. There are different immunization requirements for a valid non-medical exemption.
A parent must complete Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief- ISPA form and have it witnessed by a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits. A Commissioner for Taking Affidavits is a person who can sign and swear or affirm. This form can be sign by:
Parents and guardians are responsible for reporting your child’s immunizations to public health every time your child’s gets a vaccine. Refer to the ‘How to enter immunizations into ICON guide for help in submitting student immunization information to Toronto Public Health.
Go to a health care provider to get your child vaccinated. Take the letter you got from TPH to the health care provider so they know which vaccines you need.
If you do not have a health care provider please contact Health Care Connect for information and assistance. Vaccines required for school are also available at City-run clinics for students in JK – grade 12. Book an appointment at TPHbookings.ca .
If your child does not have OHIP or health insurance, contact a clinic that provides free health care to uninsured people
Learn more about tips to improve your child’s immunization experience.
Call a health care provider or contact Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (language interpretation available) or email at immunization@toronto.ca.
Learn more about the Province’s School Immunization Checklist and Vaccine Preventable Diseases.