As required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990 (ISPA) and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA),. families need to report immunization records to their local public health unit.

Note: Health Care providers are NOT obligated to share Immunization Records with the health unit.

How to update and report immunization records:

• Online, using Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) tool.
• Keep your child’s vaccination record up to date using the ICON Tool.

What is ICON?

ICON is a secure online system for submitting, updating, viewing, and printing your or your child’s immunization information to RCDHU.

How to use (ICON)?

You will need to create an account and set a PIN for you or your child.

Important: Please upload a picture of the record so we can accurately verify that the correct vaccine is entered.

To do this, you will need the following information: 

Ontario Health Card*                                        OR                Ontario Immunization ID (OIID)**

Postal Code*                                                                          **To obtain the OIID and get assistance setting your PIN call Renfrew County and District Health Unit at 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004

*This must be on file with the health unit

If you choose to share the immunization records through email, fax, by mail, or in person, the following form must be completed – Immunization Program Questionnaire, and a copy of the immunization records submitted.

• Email a digital copy of the Immunization record to immunization@rcdhu.com
• Subject title: Clinical Services- Immunization Record

• Fax a copy of the immunization record 613-735-3067,
• ATTN to: Clinical Services- Immunization Records

• Mailing*** a copy of the immunization to:
• Renfrew County and District Health Unit
• 141 Lake Street
• Pembroke ON K8A 5L8

***Please note that mailing can take more time and delay the reviewing and updating of the file in the provincial database system.

As a parent, keeping your children safe and healthy is your number one priority. Every year Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) assesses the immunization record of every child attending a school in Renfrew County and District (RCD). It is required by law, to ensure that all children attending school between the ages of 4 to 17, are immunized according to Ontario’s immunization schedule.

Under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, children need to have proof of immunization against:

• diphtheria
• tetanus
• polio
• measles
• mumps
• rubella
• meningococcal disease
• pertussis (whooping cough)
• Varicella for children born in 2010 or after

Required documentation for school registration

To ensure that all children have proof of the required vaccines, RCDHU reviews immunization records for each child who attends school on an annual basis. Health Care Providers are not obligated to share immunization records with health units. Please ensure you receive an updated copy of every immunization your child receives. We strongly recommend completing immunization records online, whenever possible.

Using the secure online ICON tool provides RCDHU with a paperless file of immunization records. It is important to check if you are using the ICON website specific to RCDHU. You can do so by looking at the top left of the ICON webpage. A picture of the record must be uploaded so we can accurately verify that the correct vaccine is entered.

If you choose to share the immunization records through email, fax, by mail, or in person, the following form must be completed – Immunization Program Questionnaire, and a copy of the immunization records submitted.

Have you received an Immunization Notice Letter from RCDHU?

A notice is sent when Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has an incomplete immunization record or the information on file is incorrect for this student. Examples include the following:

1. RCDHU does not have a complete immunization record for the student. The Parent, Guardian or student is responsible for reporting all immunization records to RCDHU. Health Care providers and schools are not obligated to report immunization records to the Health Unit.
2. The student is overdue for one or more immunization.
3. Your child may have received an invalid vaccine dose that does not comply with the Ontario Immunization schedule. Certain vaccines may be invalid due to student’s age and/or interval between each vaccine doses given. Revaccination is recommended for effectiveness and proper protection.
4. You have chosen not to have the student vaccinated, but do not have a valid exemption on file. Contact RCDHU to find out how to complete a valid exemption for medical, religious or philosophical reasons by calling 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

To avoid school suspension, please report your child’s immunization, every time they receive a vaccine or booster. If your child receives an immunization notice, call RCDHU at 613-732-9436 or submit immunization information by using our online tool (ICON). Please visit our Reporting Immunization Records accordion.

RCDHU offers community immunization clinics for students who are missing the required vaccines. To check what is available and to book an appointment call 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

Exemptions from immunization

1. For medical reasons: If your child will be attending school and is medically unable to be vaccinated, statement of medical exemption form must be completed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.
2. For conscience or religious belief: If Parents/Guardians are choosing to not vaccinate their child for conscience or religious belief, a mandatory education session MUST be completed. This must be provided by Renfrew County and District Health Unit.

In the event of an outbreak related to a vaccine preventable disease, any child with a medical, conscience or religious belief exemption on file will be asked to stay home and not attend school until the risk related to the outbreak has ended.

For more information or to find out how to complete a valid exemption call RCDHU at 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004. You may also visit Ontario.ca: Vaccines for children at school.

**Click this new link to see who is currently eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or to find more COVID-19 vaccine information**

Why should you get vaccinated?

When you get vaccines, you protect yourself and everyone else around you. This includes our most vulnerable people, like very young children, the elderly or those who have weak immune systems. Regardless of how healthy you are, you could get very sick or even die without vaccines to protect you. The protection offered by some vaccines only last for a certain amount of time, so it is important to receive booster doses in adulthood to keep yourself and those around you safe.

As an adult you should receive the following free vaccines:

• tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (once in adulthood)
• tetanus, diphtheria (every 10 years)
• flu shot (every fall)
• Pneumococcal (free of charge for people aged 65 and over)
• shingles (free of charge for people 65 to 70 years of age)

More information on publicly funded vaccinations.

Immunization is a simple, effective way to protect your child against preventable diseases. Routine immunization begins at two months of age and continues throughout life according to Ontario’s routine immunization schedule

All of the routine vaccines are free of charge and are available at RCDHU’s immunization clinics, or from your family physician.

Bring your child’s immunization record (yellow card) when getting an immunization. Your health care provider will update the card. It is the parent’s responsibility to report immunizations to RCDHU. Call 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

Keep the yellow card in a safe place. This record may be needed when:

• entering day care or school
• traveling
• attending camp
• visiting an emergency department or clinic

Vaccine Fact Sheets

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Hib (DTap-IPV-Hib) Vaccine Fact Sheet

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Fact Sheet

Meningococcal Vaccine Fact Sheet

Pneumococcal Vaccine Fact Sheet

Rotavirus Vaccine Fact Sheet

Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis Polio Vaccine Fact Sheet

Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine Fact Sheet

Hepatitis B for babies Vaccine Fact Sheet

Providing Immunization information for attending licensed child care

Immunization protects children from many serious diseases that are easily spread in child care settings. In accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, all children attending a licensed child care centre must show proof of immunization against diphtheria, haemophilus influenza type B, measles, meningococcal diseases, mumps, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, poliomyelitis, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, and varicella. Children who are not immunized must provide a valid exemption.

If you are registering your child for a licensed daycare, please complete the Immunization Program Questionnaire. Submit the questionnaire and a copy of your child’s immunization record to either your local Renfrew County and District Health Unit office or your licensed child care provider.

To be exempt from the required immunizations, one of the following must be provided to Renfrew County and District Health Unit:

• a statement of conscience or religious belief completed by a parent or guardian
• a statement of medical exemption completed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner

If you have questions regarding the Immunization Program Questionnaire, or exemption form, please call us at 732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

The Ontario Ministry of Health offers free Meningococcal, Hepatitis B (HB), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to all Grade 7 students.  Meningococcal vaccine is required for students to attend school in Ontario as per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990). HB and HPV vaccines are not required vaccines to attend school but are strongly recommended.

Throughout the school year, RCDHU School Immunization Team will be providing the above-mentioned immunizations in schools, free of charge, for eligible grade 7 students for whom parental consent has been provided.

If your child is not able to attend a school-based clinic, you may call your heath care provider to inquire about grade 7 vaccines or book an appointment with the health unit by calling 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

Eligibility Criteria

As of September 2022, the school-based hepatitis B eligibility period, in line with the HPV and Meningococcal vaccines, will be expanded until the end of grade 12, allowing students who missed their vaccines in grade 7 to be vaccinated under the publicly funded program until grade 12 through their public health unit or primary care provider.

Consent Form

English version
French version

Information Fact Sheet

English version
French version

Educative Resources

Explore ways to stay calm by using the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) system from AboutKidsHealth.

English version
French version

To learn more about the grade 7 vaccines and how to get ready for a clinic, watch the following videos:

Ontario’s grade 7 school immunization program – The Vaccines (English version)
Programme de vaccination scolaire de l’Ontario – Les Vaccins (French version)
Ontario’s grade 7 school immunization program – Preparing for a School Clinic (English version)
Programme de vaccination scolaire de l’Ontario – Se Préparer pour une Clinique de Vaccination (French version)

Update your Child’s Immunization Status

If your child has received one of the vaccines mentioned above, please update their immunization record by:

• using the online tool ICON;
• emailing a digital copy of their record at schoolimmunization@rcdhu.com;
• faxing a copy at 613-735-3067; OR
• mailing a copy of their record to Renfrew County and District Health Unit, 141 Lake Street, Pembroke ON, K8A 5L8.

As of September 2022, the school-based hepatitis B eligibility period, in line with the HPV and Meningococcal vaccines, is expanded until the end of grade 12, allowing students who missed their vaccines in grade 7 to be vaccinated under the publicly funded program until grade 12. Of note: Meningococcal vaccine is required for students to attend school in Ontario as per the Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990). HB and HPV vaccines are not required vaccines to attend school but are strongly recommended.

How to get your youth vaccinated

If your youth missed their vaccines in grade 7, you may book an appointment through:

• Your Health Care Provider: inquire about school-based immunizations by calling their office; OR
• RCDHU: book an appointment by calling 613-732-9436 or 1-833-773-0004.

Update your Child’s Immunization Status

Parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are responsible for updating Renfrew County and District Health Unit every time their youth receives immunization from their doctor. If your youth has received one of the vaccines mentioned above, please update their immunization record by:

• using the online tool ICON;
• emailing a digital copy of their record at schoolimmunization@rcdhu.com;
• faxing a copy at 613-735-3067; OR
• mailing a copy of their record to Renfrew County and District Health Unit, 141 Lake Street, Pembroke ON, K8A 5L8.

For up-to-date Travel Health Information, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s travel health resources webpage, or speak to you health care provider.

To access local travel health services call Cahoon’s Pharmacy 613-584-1116, or visit Aikenhead’s Pharmacy’s website.