To have an immunization record that is considered up to date, children attending school or licensed child care need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.

The following immunization are mandatory for school attendance under the ISPA, and must be reported to Public Health:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• Meningococcal disease (meningitis)
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Varicella (chickenpox) – for children born on or after January 1, 2010.       

If your child has not received 2 doses of varicella vaccine, and has had a chickenpox infection, a valid medical exemption is required. Alternatively, your child can receive 2 doses of varicella vaccine.

In addition to the above listed vaccines, the following vaccines are also required for attendance in Licensed Child Care, as per the CCEYA:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal
• Rotavirus

The following vaccines are not mandatory for school or child care attendance, but are strongly recommended:

• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Hepatitis B (offered in Grade 7)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) (offered in Grade 7)

Parents or guardians are responsible for reporting  their child’s immunizations to Public Health. Schools and healthcare providers are not required to do this.

You can report your child’s vaccines in one of the following ways:

• Online: www.algomapublichealth.com/icon
• Email: records@algomapublichealth.com – be sure to include your child’s name, date of birth, and a photo of their immunization record.
• Phone: 1-866-892-0172 / 705-942-4646 ext. 5409 or your local APH office
• Mail: Immunization Records, 294 Willow Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 0A9
• Drop off: at your local APH office

Public Health assesses immunization records annually and sends notices to parents/guardians when we’ve determined that a child is missing required vaccinations. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to report their child’s immunizations to Public Health.

If you received a notice, it could be because:

• Public Health does not have an immunization record for your child.
• Your child has not received the vaccines listed on the notice.
• Public Health was not notified of your child’s vaccinations (i.e. vaccines were received at your health care providers office but have not been reported to public health).
• Your child received invalid doses (i.e., vaccines were given too early or the spacing between them was too close)
• Public Health has not received a valid immunization exemption.

Ensure your child’s vaccines are up to date and reported to Public Health by the deadline in the notice. Students with incomplete immunization records can be suspended from school for up to 20 school days. 

Step 1:

Compare the immunization record shown in your notice with your immunization records at home, online at www.algomapublichealth.com/icon  and/or with your child’s health care provider. 

Step 2:

• If your child has received the missing vaccines, update your child's record with Public Health.
• If your child has not received the missing vaccines, get them through your health care provider, a walk-in clinic or through an Algoma Public Health (APH) immunization clinic.
• If the vaccines are received at a location outside of APH, please remember to bring your notice to the appointment, and to report the immunizations your child receives to APH using one of the above listed methods.
• If an exemption is needed, complete the steps for a medical or religious/conscience exemption.