Maintaining up-to-date vaccinations is an important part of maintaining overall health. This is true not only for your health but also for the health of those around you. Not everyone can get vaccinated, so it is important that those who can do their part to help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines work by strengthening your immune system to help protect you against illness and disease. When you get a vaccine, your body’s natural defenses build protection against it. Your immune system then remembers how to fight that illness and can protect against it in the future.
Vaccines are a safe and effective way of preventing the spread of severe illnesses and diseases.
Routine Vaccinations
Most vaccines are administered during the first 18 months of life, with booster shots and additional vaccines recommended throughout adolescence and adulthood. Routine vaccines for babies, children and adults are offered free of charge if you meet the eligibility requirements.
We’ve outlined the major vaccine milestones below.
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Vaccinating your child
Your child is most at risk of contracting a severe illness or disease during their first few years of life. Vaccinating your child will help to make their immunity stronger and prevent them from contracting a potentially harmful illness. Children between the ages of 4 to 17 need to be immunized according to Ontario’s Immunization Schedule to attend school.
At the milestones listed below, your child should receive the following vaccines.
2 to 4 months old
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenza, type b
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Rotavirus
6 months old
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenza type b
- Rotavirus
12 months old
- Pneumococcal conjugate
- Meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-C)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella
15 months old
- Chickenpox (varicella)
18 months old
- Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenza type b
Between 4 and 6 years old
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio
- Measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox
Grade 7
- Meningococcal conjugate
- Hepatitis b
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Between 14 and 16 years old
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
Your provincial Ministry of Health and local public health unit maintain a recommended Immunization Schedule based on the most up-to-date vaccine information. The Ontario guidelines are available here.
Vaccines as an Adult
Protection from some vaccines only lasts a certain amount of time, so it is important to receive booster doses in adulthood.
As an adult, it is recommended that you receive the following vaccines:
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (once in adulthood and once during every pregnancy)
- Tetanus, diphtheria (every ten years)
- Flu shot (every fall)
- Pneumococcal (at age 65)
- Shingles (one dose between age 65 to 70)
Travel Vaccinations
If you plan to travel outside Canada, you may need to get vaccinated before leaving, depending on your destination, length of stay abroad and vaccination history.
Consult with your family physician, a local public health unit or a travel clinic approximately three months before your scheduled departure date to ensure you have enough time to receive all necessary vaccine doses before you travel.
The Public Health Agency of Canada provides up-to-date travel health notices and recommended ways to help reduce them based on the current international circumstances. We recommend reviewing their website before travelling.
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