Canadian Moms with school age children...

[onthemove]

Registration for kindergarten is on Monday and I was wondering if anyone recieved grief for not vaxing their children. I have just moved to a new town and have a new dr whom we have not met yet and don't intend to unless we were to get super ill.

Just want to know what your experience was and what I should be prepared for.

[jasperab]

I was never asked to show proof if immunization. I know at the school my child goes to the note on the door said proof of immunization not required for registration. You should have no problems unless you are in one of the two provinces that requires I think the MMR.

[onthemove]

The registration notice in the newspaper said to bring birth certificate and immunization records.

So I guess I will go and try if they deny us then no big deal. We have her registered for a private school but there is supposedly a waiting list. We won't know until May if she is accepted but they didn't ask for vax records when I applied.

I was only applying to public school if it we couldn't get dd in private school. We are also talking about homeschooling.

[neveryoumindthere]

well my friend's dd's are in 1st and 3rd grade and she got a letter from the school that if they were not given their booster shots and bring in the immunization record the kids would be suspended and childrens aid would be notified...
i talked to my friend told her by canadian law u do NOT have to vax u just have to give them a form saying they are exempted for x reason (in our case religious, though also morally ethically and whatever else)
she called i-dont-remember-who and they send they'd send an exemption form --no questions asked

[julielenore]

You just have to be firm. You have a right not to vaccinate your child. Make sure that you state that this is your right and maybe back this up in writing. I live in Ontario, where you must have a vaccine exemption form. I almost like having the form though, because it is proof that vaccination is NOT manditory (although the health unit would like us to believe otherwise)

[Tracy]

http://64.41.99.118/vran/legal/legal.htm

Health Canada States That Immunization is NOT Mandatory in Canada
"Unlike some countries, immunization is not mandatory in Canada; it cannot be made mandatory because of the Canadian Constitution. Only three provinces have legislation or regulations under their health-protection acts to require proof of immunization for school entrance. Ontario and New Brunswick require proof for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella immunization. In Manitoba, only measles vaccination is covered. It must be emphasized that, in these three provinces, exceptions are permitted on medical or religious grounds and reasons of conscience; legislation and regulations must not be interpreted to imply compulsory immunization."

[onthemove]

thank you so much for this information. I will be firm but I just hope it's not an issue.

[onthemove]

I registered her in two different schools and neither asked about Immunization records and I of course didn't say anything.