Immunizations protect people from vaccine-preventable diseases that can be very serious or even fatal. Due to their age and that they are in group settings, children in child care centres are especially at risk of getting sick and spreading infection.
Receiving recommended immunizations and keeping immunization records up-to-date are important ways to help keep our community healthy and prevent outbreaks.
Under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), Section 35 (1) of O. Reg. 137/2015 (General), licensed child care centres are required to collect and keep immunization information or a valid exemption for every preschool age child before they attend the centre. Licensed child care centres must keep up-to-date immunization records available for inspection at all times.
Parents and/or legal guardians are required to submit their child’s immunization information to the WECHU and their child’s child care centre. It is the responsibility of parents and/or legal guardians to submit immunization information on an ongoing basis to the WECHU as the child receives new immunizations.
The WECHU is responsible to assessing the immunization status of all children attending child care, as well as all school age children in Windsor and Essex County. In the event of an outbreak, the WECHU needs to have the up-to-date immunization information of all children attending the centre to quickly identify who is at risk. For more information visit (insert link to WECHU child care provider webpage).
Immunization Requirements for Children Attending Child Care
The Medical Officer of Health for Windsor and Essex County requires that every child attending a child care centre is immunized against the following diseases according to their age under the Ontario's Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule:
What if I choose not to immunize my child?
If your child cannot receive immunization(s) due to medical reasons or you choose not to immunize your child(ren) for non-medical reasons, you must provide a valid completed exemption form to the WECHU and the child care centre your child is attending.
Please contact the WECHU at 519-258-2146 ext. 1222 for information about the immunization exemption process.
In the event of an outbreak or confirmed case of a vaccine-preventable disease is identified (e.g., measles), children not up-to-date with their immunizations may not be allowed to attend the child care centre. This is to protect them and help stop the spread of the disease.
Understanding Risks
If you choose to not immunize your child(ren) with one or more of the required vaccines, there are some important responsibilities to consider:
- Diseases can spread even when no symptoms are showing.
- Watch for early signs and symptoms of illness (e.g. fever, rash). If present, keep your child at home and seek medical attention if necessary.
- If your child shows symptoms at the child care centre, they may be sent home to prevent the spread of disease.
- When visiting a doctor, emergency room, or medical clinic, please bring your child’s immunization record and let the medical staff know their immunization status. Knowing what a person has been immunized for may help health care providers rule out what is making your child sick. Also, health care providers may take precautions (e.g., wearing a mask and/or gloves) to prevent the spread of disease.
- Talk to your health care provider about the benefits, risks, and other ways to protect your family from vaccine preventable diseases (e.g., whooping cough, congenital rubella).
Parents and/or Legal Guardians Responsibilities
- Register with the Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) through the WECHU online form or contact the WECHU’s Immunization Department at 519-258-2146 for assistance.
- Update and submit their child(ren)’s immunization information to the WECHU. This can be done through the ICON database, over the phone, in-person at one of our offices, or you can request that your health care provider send them to the WECHU.
- Provide a copy of the child’s immunization record downloaded as a PDF from the ICON database to the child care centre prior to admission. You can also request a copy from the WECHU over the phone or in-person.
- Submit immunization information on an ongoing basis to the WECHU as the child receives new immunizations.
- Provide updated immunization record downloaded from ICON to the child care centre each time the child receives additional immunizations as they age.
- For families with children attending school enrolled at a child care centre, immunization records need to be submitted to the WECHU. Health care providers are not required to submit immunization information to their local public health unit.
Submitting your child’s immunization
Step 1: Before you begin
Before you begin, it is helpful to have the following pieces of information ready:
- Your child’s Ontario Health Card
- Your child’s immunization record
If your child does not have an Ontario Health Card, you will still be able to fill out the online registration form and the WECHU will follow up with you.
Step 2: Complete the WECHU registration online form
Click on the link box below to complete the WECHU’s secure digital online registration form. You will have the option to upload a picture or digital copy of your child’s immunization record with the form.
The form collects basic demographic, contact information and the child care centre your child will be attending. All information collected will be kept secure and confidential.
Families who have questions or would benefit from support can call the WECHU’s Immunization Department at 519-258-2146. The WECHU uses live professional language interpretation to help clients over the phone and in-person at our offices.
Step 3: WECHU creates/updates your child’s immunization profile
The WECHU uses child care registration information submitted by a parent/legal guardian to create or update their child’s profile in the Provincial Immunization Database.
The database is used by all Ontario Public Health Units to document immunization records received and immunization services provided to clients. The database has a secure website portal called Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) that allows the public to log in, update/submit immunization information and download/print immunization records on file 24/7.
Step 4: Log into the ICON portal
The WECHU will notify you by email when your child’s profile is ready and provide instructions on how to log into ICON and submit immunization information. This is the same portal used to submit updated immunization information to the WECHU for children attending elementary and secondary school. Log in instructions are provided below.
- Visit Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON).
- Click on ‘Get Started!’ and select whether you are on a personal or public device.
- Read the Acceptable Use Policy and click ‘I Accept.’
- Verify Patient: Complete the information for verifying patient with:
- Ontario Health Card Number, or
- Immunization ID (you can get this number by calling the WECHU, if required)
- Enter your email address and choose a PIN # so that you can access the site again at any time in the future.
- Click ‘Verify Patient’ and enter your PIN.
- Always pick your child's child care centre from the dropdown.
Step 5: Submit your child’s immunization information
Once you log into the portal, you can view your child’s existing immunization information on file, see if there are any immunizations due, submit updated immunization information to the WECHU, and download a printable PDF of all their child’s immunization information on file at that time.
Every time your child receives an immunization, submit the record to the WECHU. This can be done through the ICON database, over the phone, in-person at one of our offices, or you can request that your health care provider send immunization records to the WECHU.
For more information on how to update your child’s immunization records online and what you’ll need to get started, watch this short video where a WECHU Public Health Nurse explains how you can report your child's immunization record online.
Step 6: WECHU reviews and follows-up with you as needed
WECHU staff will assess the information submitted. If there are no concerns, the immunization information is uploaded to your child’s profile in the Provincial Immunization Database. Please note, this may take up to 3 – 7 business days.
WECHU staff will follow-up with you if more information or clarification is needed.
You will receive a notification email from the WECHU when immunization information submitted is approved and uploaded.
Step 7: Provide your child’s immunization record to the child care centre
Log into the portal and download a printable PDF of your child’s immunization record to provide to your child’s child care centre. The PDF includes a summary that indicates whether the child is up to date on their immunizations based on the Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules of Ontario.
You can also request a copy of the immunization information on file from the WECHU.
If you need help, have questions, or are looking for information about medical, conscience, or religious belief exemption from immunization, contact csh@wechu.org or 519-258-2146 extension 1222.
Resources
Canadian Paediatric Society
- A Parent’s Guide to Immunization Information on the Internet
- Vaccines: Common Concerns
- Vaccines: Myths and Facts
- Vaccine Safety
- When Parents Choose Not to Vaccinate: Risks and Responsibilities
Government of Ontario
- Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, S.O. 2014, c. 11, Sched. 1
- Immunization of School Pupils Act R.R.O. 1990