FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government introduced legislative amendments today that would remove non-medical exemptions from the mandatory immunization requirements for public school and licensed early learning and child care admissions. The amendments are to the Education Act and the Public Health Act.

 “Our highest priority is the health and safety of New Brunswick students,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy. “These changes will help make sure as many children as possible are vaccinated and help protect the most vulnerable members of society.”

The legislative amendments would require students attending public schools and children in licensed early learning and child care facilities – either currently enrolled in or being admitted for the first time – to provide either proof of immunization or a medical exemption on a form signed by a medical professional.

The Act Respecting Proof of Immunization would come into effect Sept. 1, 2021 and would:

• remove sections in both acts that allow non-medical exemptions to be presented in place of immunization records or medical exemption; and

• result in modifications to the Licensing Regulation – Early Childhood Services Act which refers to practices outlined in the Public Health Act.

“I am proud to be introducing these changes,” said Cardy. “Vaccines are a safe and proven way to prevent the spread of many diseases, some of which can be life threatening, especially for individuals with compromised immune systems.”