Expanded Vaccine Program - As of August 8th, 2011 the province of Ontario will offer two new vaccines as part of the provincial immunization program and will also expand the availability of two others. All four vaccines will be offered free-of-charge. Click here for more information.   Mumps Catch-Up - Were you born between 1970 and 1991?  If you were, check your immunization record to find out if you need the 2nd dose of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) to make sure you are fully protected against the mumps. Click here for more information.

Recommended Vaccine Schedule - when you should get each vaccine

The province offers certain recommended vaccines free-of-charge to anyone living in Ontario.  This list below outlines the age that each of these vaccines are given.  The legend, which can be found by scrolling down the page below the list, provides additional information on each vaccine.

*NOTE: 

2 months (3 vaccines)

• Rotavirus
• DPTP-Hib
• Pneumo Conjugate

4 months (3 vaccines)

• Rotavirus
• DPTP-Hib
• Pneumo Conjugate

6 months (1 vaccine)

• DPTP-Hib

12 months, after 1st birthday (3 vaccines)

• MMR
• Meningococcal C
• Pneumo Conjugate

15 months (1 vaccine)

• Varicella

18 months (1 vaccine)

• DPTP-Hib

4-6 years (2 vaccines)

• DPTP
• MMRV

Grade 7 (2 vaccines)

• Meningococcal A, C, Y and W-135 (Menactra®)
• Hepatitis B (2 doses)

Grade 8 (1 vaccine)

• Female students only – HPV (3 doses)

14-16 years (1 vaccine)

• Tdap

19-64 years

• Td booster every 10 years
• pneumococcal (if high risk)
• pertussis (lifetime dose)

65 years and older

• pneumococcal

LEGEND:

DPTP = diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio

Hep B = hepatitis B; two doses given at 4-6 months apart; nny Grade 7 student who missed 1 or both doses of HB is eligible to complete the series by the end of Grade 8

• Fact sheet

Hib = haemophilus b influenzae (hib) - common cause of bacterial meningitis in children two months to five years of age

• Fact sheet

HPV = Human Papillomavirus virus; given at 0, 2 and 6 months

• Fact sheet

Influenza = flu vaccine, available every fall

• More information on the flu shot and local clinics, click here

Meningococcal A, C, Y, W-135 = provides protection against 4 strains of meningitis; one dose is provided free of charge in Grade 7; vaccine name is Menactra®

• Fact sheet

Meningococcal C= provides protection against the C strain of meningitis; one dose is provided free of charge at 1 year if not given in infancy

• Fact sheet

MMR = measles, mumps, rubella (German measles); the 1st dose of MMR should be given on or after the 1^st birthday; the 2nd dose of MMR vaccine should be given as MMRV at 4-6 years of age

• Fact sheet

MMRV = measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) varicella; ; 1st dose of MMR on or after the 1^st birthday, 1 dose of varicella at 15 months and 1 dose of MMRV at 4-6 years of age (preferably before starting school); children 7-11 years of age who have not received any doses of MMR or varicella may receive 2 doses of MMRV

• Fact sheet

Pertussis = provides lifetime protection against pertussis, or whooping cough, which is often passed on to infants and children

Pneumo Conjugate = protects against pneumococcal disease

Pneumococcal = this polysaccharide vaccine protects adults and children two years of age and older against pneumococcal infections like pneumonia; given to those 65 years or older OR those with high risk medical conditions (e.g. in consultation with a health care provider; heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes)

• Fact sheet

Rotavirus = rotavirus is given as an oral vaccine; first dose after 6 weeks of age, but before 15 weeks; 2 doses must be given at least 4 weeks apart

• Fact sheet

Td = tetanus, diphtheria; a  booster should be given every 10 years

• Fact sheet

Tdap = tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis

• Fact sheet

Varicella = Varicella (chicken pox); children 15 months of age should receive the 1st dose; the 2nd dose should be given as MMRV at 4-6 years of age; children born on or after January 1, 2000 and are at least 1 year of age are eligible for two doses of varicella; varicella and MMR vaccine must be given on the same day or at least 28 days apart

• Fact sheet

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Expanded Vaccine Program

Beginning August 8th, the province of Ontario is expanding the vaccines that are available to everyone in Ontario, free-of-charge.

The province will offer two NEW vaccines:

1. Rotavirus - a new oral vaccine will protect infants against rotavirus, which causes diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration

• Parent Fact Sheet - ENGLISH
• Parent Fact Sheet - FRENCH

2. Measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) - this vaccine expands the coverage of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine that is currently offered by adding varicella; this will reduce the number of vaccines that a child needs as varicella is currently given as a stand-along vaccine