Is vaccination required for admission to school or university?

In Canada, mandatory vaccination requirements for educational institutions vary by province, level of education, and historical circumstances. Only three provinces have legally mandated vaccination requirements for attendance at elementary and secondary schools, while universities and colleges have significant autonomy in setting their own policies.

1. General structure of vaccination requirements

1.1 Provincial jurisdiction

Education in Canada is a provincial responsibility: each province and territory independently determines the rules for vaccination in educational institutions.

1.2 Levels of education

  • K–12 education (kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools) — regulated by provincial education laws
  • Postsecondary education (universities and colleges) — have institutional autonomy

2. Mandatory vaccines for schools

2.1 Provinces with mandatory requirements

Only three provinces require vaccinations for attendance at public schools:

Ontario

  • Vaccines: diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, polio, measles/mumps/rubella, meningococcal (Men-C-C up to age 12; Men-C-ACYW 12+), chickenpox (born 2010+)
  • Mechanism:
  • Notification of incomplete records → 1 month to complete
  • Order of exclusion → up to 20 school days

New Brunswick

  • Vaccines: diphtheria/tetanus/polio, pertussis, measles/mumps/rubella, chickenpox, meningococcal
  • Mechanism:
  • Schools may refuse admission
  • 120 days to complete vaccination

Manitoba

  • Vaccine: only for measles
  • Mechanism: during outbreaks, unvaccinated students stay home

2.2 Provinces without mandatory requirements

Other provinces and territories do not require vaccinations for schools but offer voluntary programs:

  • British Columbia: HPV in Grade 6; Men-C-ACYW and Tdap in Grade 9; exclusion only during outbreaks
  • Alberta: record checks in Grades 1, 6, and 9; vaccination with parental consent
  • Quebec: voluntary school programs; hepatitis A in grade 4; HPV in grade 4; hepatitis B in grade 3 of secondary school
  • Saskatchewan: no entry requirements; goal of 95% coverage by the end of grades 1, 6, and 8

3. Exemptions from mandatory vaccination

3.1 Medical exemptions

  • Contraindications to vaccines, immunocompromisation, severe allergies (confirmed by a medical certificate)

3.2 Non-medical exemptions

  • Religious beliefs: statement + notarized certification
  • Personal beliefs: notarized statement
  • Ontario: mandatory immunization education session for non-medical exemptions

4. Universities and colleges

4.1 Institutional autonomy

Universities and colleges set their own vaccination policies.

4.2 COVID-19 vaccine mandates

  • 65% of Canadian universities did not require vaccinations (2021)
  • 85% of Ontario universities have implemented a mandate
  • 100% of Saskatchewan universities had mandates

Provinces without mandates: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon

Provinces with mandates: Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia

4.3 Policy examples

  • University of Toronto: vaccination for residences; primary series + booster
  • UBC: mandates for medical and educational programs
  • McGill: vaccination passports for events; restricted access for unvaccinated individuals

4.4 Exemptions

Universities offer medical and religious exemption forms through internal procedures

5. Special groups and programs

5.1 Medical program students

Additional requirements: hepatitis B, tuberculosis testing, annual flu vaccination, antibody testing

5.2 International students

  • Full vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, J&J) for entry without quarantine
  • Negative test 72 hours prior to arrival
  • Mandatory vaccination starting January 2022

5.3 Internships and placements

Additional requirements from host organizations (hospitals, schools, government agencies)

6. Current trends and outlook

6.1 COVID-19 (2024–2025)

  • Most universities have lifted mandates
  • Transition to voluntary annual vaccination
  • Mandates remain in place for high-risk programs

6.2 Future changes

  • Harmonization of provincial rules
  • Integration of digital vaccination passports

7. Practical advice

For parents

  • Check provincial requirements
  • Gather vaccination records
  • Learn about exemption procedures
  • Be prepared for suspension during outbreaks

For students

  • Keep complete medical records
  • Get necessary vaccines in advance
  • Plan time to obtain exemptions

Canada's vaccine requirement system reflects the principle of provincial autonomy: only three provinces mandate vaccinations for schools, and universities set their own mandates. It is important to know local rules and have complete documentation for unimpeded access to education.