Exemptions

Exemptions from vaccinations

Vaccinations are NOT mandatory in Canada.  Immunization in Canada (PDF – then click “continue to publication”); Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR) May, 1997; Vol 23S4 and Canadian National Report on Immunization; 1996, states:

“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. [see note below]  It must be emphasized that, in these three provinces, exceptions are permitted for medical or religious grounds and reasons of conscience; legislation and regulations must not be interpreted to imply compulsory immunization.“

2014 – Please Note – Manitoba no longer has legislation for school entry vaccination for measles, vaccination is voluntary in Manitoba. Please see this link at the Province of Manitoba’s website: Are immunizations mandatory in Manitoba? – No, immunizations are voluntary in Manitoba.”

This means that nobody in Canada can be forced to receive a vaccination. In some cases, nursery schools, daycares, and other schools which are privately owned and operated can demand vaccination for enrollment. But publically-funded schools and daycares cannot.

Furthermore, Canadian Medical Law clearly states that healthcare recipients must be informed of all significant risks posed by any invasive medical procedure that carries a risk of injury or death. Vaccination is such a procedure; every Canadian must have received and understood all the information that is pertinent to the vaccination(s) to which they consent.

Related VCC Pages

For further information please see our Informed Consent – Mature Minor – Ethics section.

Links to Other Related VCC Articles

• Healthcare Worker & Student Vaccines
• Canadian Military Vaccination
• Canadian Vaccination Schedule Birth to Grade 12

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