John English Junior Middle School

Immunizing Your Child

Ontario children are required by law to be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio, as well as for pertussis (whooping cough) before age 6. Students between the ages of 14 to 16 years require one needle for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

Schools are required to collect immunization information for the Toronto Public Health unit when students are admitted to school. To make record-keeping easier, parents/guardians can get a yellow immunization card from a doctor. The card is updated each time an inoculation is given. The updated card can be copied by the school or, parents/guardians can send the immunization information to the program directly by phone, fax, or mail.

You may decide for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons not to immunize your child. You must file an exemption with Toronto Public Health. However, if a disease appears in the child's school and the child has not been immunized, he or she may have to stay out of school until the disease is gone.

No student may be denied admission to school if the immunization information is unavailable. After admission to school, Toronto Public Health will assess the child's records. If the records are incomplete, parents/guardians will be notified by the department and requested to update them. If they are not updated after proper notification, Toronto Public Health has the authority to direct the school to suspend the student until immunization information is obtained.

For more information, please contact Toronto Public Health at 416-392-1250. Translators are available or visit the web site at www.toronto.ca/health, or call 416-392-1250.

See www.toronto.ca/health/immunization_children/ for more information about immunizing your child.

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