As a parent, keeping your children safe and healthy is your number one priority. All children attending school between the ages of 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario’s routine immunization schedule. Immunization protects children from many serious diseases that are easily spread in schools.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, children need to have proof of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal disease, whooping cough. Children born in 2010 or later are required to show proof of immunization against chicken pox disease. Children who are not fully immunized may not be allowed to attend school.

To ensure that all children have proof of the required vaccines, Renfrew County and District Health Unit reviews immunization records for each child who attends school on an annual basis.  All students who do not meet the minimum requirements will receive a letter requesting the required immunization information.  If your child receives a letter, call Renfrew County and District Health unit 613-732-9436 or submit immunization information by fax 613-735-3067 or by mail to the address below.

The Health Unit offers community immunization clinics for students who are missing the required vaccines. To book an appointment call 613-732-9436.

Exemptions from immunization

Immunizations are required for attendance at school unless there is a valid written exemption. To be exempted, one of the following must be provided to Renfrew County and District Health Unit:

• a statement of conscience or religious belief affidavit from the parent or guardian
• a statement of medical exemption filled out by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner

Call Renfrew County and District Health Unit at 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004 for more information about exemptions from immunization.

Process for approving immunization information

At registration for school, the parent or guardian completes an Immunization Program Questionnaire and provides a copy of the student’s immunization record.

Some schools send this information to the Health Unit, and other schools ask parents to mail or fax these documents to the Health Unit:

Renfrew County and District Health Unit
141 Lake Street, Pembroke, ON K8A 5L8
Fax: 613-735-3067

The documents can also be brought to a Health Unit office during business hours.

For more information about immunizations, see our Immunization page.