Updates to medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccine
Advisory Alert
December 17, 2021
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To: Local Health System Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination and new clinical trial exemption process
In follow up to an Advisory Alert issued on September 22, 2021, this Advisory Alert provides information on criteria for submitting a medical exemption to Public Health Sudbury & Districts and managing previously prepared exemptions. This Advisory Alert also outlines instructions for submitting clinical trial exemptions to the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre.
Effective December 15, 2021, medical and clinical trial exemptions will be verified by Public Health Sudbury & Districts and Ontarians with exemptions for medical reasons or who are participants in COVID related clinical trials will, once verified, be eligible to download an enhanced vaccine certificate, with a QR code from the Ontario COVID-19 Vaccination Portal. Ontarians with a verified exemption will be eligible to utilize the enhanced certificate to access settings requiring proof of vaccination.
Contraindications and precautions that may require medical exemptions
Guidance on evaluating contraindications or precautions to COVID-19 vaccination that may warrant a medical exemption has not changed.
Please refer to the Ministry of Health’s Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination (PDF) document for guidance to assist in evaluating contraindications or precautions to COVID-19 vaccination that may warrant a medical exemption.
Recommending a medical exemption and submitting a medical exemption form
Individuals who believe they are eligible for a medical exemption must undergo a clinical assessment by an Ontario physician or Nurse Practitioner to determine if they are at risk to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. If the risk is confirmed, a medical exemption will be recommended that includes which valid exemption is applicable along with other information as set out in the templated exemption form. The practitioner must confirm that the patient consents to collection, use and disclosure of their personal health information to the local Public Health Unit, including any subsequent questions or communications between the practitioner and Public Health Unit.
The exemption template or a document that contains the same information as set out in the template, must be sent from the issuer of the exemption directly to the Public Health Unit where their practice is located for review and entering into COVaxon. For confidential submission to Public Health Sudbury & Districts please fax 705.677.9624.
Any previously issued medical exemptions, for the purpose of obtaining a vaccine certificate for entry to settings where proof of vaccine is required, must be resent directly to the Public Health Unit. Patients may contact their physician or nurse practitioner, to request that their exemption be reissued and sent directly to Public Health Sudbury & Districts or the Public Health Unit where the issuer’s practice resides. Complete submissions that are sent to Public Health Units by December 29, 2021, will be processed before January 10, 2022. This is the date in which organizations and businesses that are under the provincial proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician notes as valid medical exemptions.
If Public Health determines that a submitted medical exemption request does not meet the eligibility requirements set out by the Province, the request may be denied. Public Health will notify the issuer of the exemption request of the denial and the rationale. If the medical practitioner feels the assessment was made in error, they can make a request to Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health by emailing covid.immunization@ontario.ca to request a review of the exemption request.
Additional information
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccines, as well as for specific answers to your frequently asked questions visit our FAQ web page or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
Stacey Gilbeau, Registered Nurse, BScN
Program Director, School Health, Vaccine Preventable Diseases and COVID Prevention
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on January 4, 2022