Vaccines across the Lifespan

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding during Painful Procedures – Vaccinated Babies 

TBDHU recommends breastfeeding/chestfeeding your baby during vaccinations. Research shows that breastfeeding/chestfeeding during painful procedures reduces the baby’s pain and distress. For optimal benefits, the baby should be latched and sucking before the procedure starts. For more information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding during painful procedures, please click here. 

Vaccines are safe, effective, and help protect people from serious diseases such as polio, tetanus, and measles. Ontario offers FREE vaccines across the lifespan. Learn more about the vaccines that are available to you and your family below.

Immunization across the lifespan

During Pregnancy

Recommended vaccines during pregnancy (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

  • Seasonal flu vaccine
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine (Ministry of Health fact sheet). Pregnant people are recommended to receive a dose of this vaccine during every pregnancy. The preferred time to get a Tdap vaccine is between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Keeping up with COVID-19 vaccines is also recommended during pregnancy. Please see our COVID-19 vaccines page for more information.

Getting Your Vaccines While Breastfeeding/chestfeeding

Keeping up with your COVID-19 and flu vaccines while breastfeeding/chestfeeding helps protect you, as well as your baby, before they receive their first vaccines at 2 months old.

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding during Your Child’s Vaccinations

TBDHU recommends breastfeeding/chestfeeding your baby during vaccinations. Research shows that breastfeeding/chestfeeding during painful procedures reduces the baby’s pain and distress. For optimal benefits, the baby should be latched and sucking before the procedure starts. For more information on breastfeeding/chestfeeding during painful procedures, please see our Lactation, Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding page.

Infant series (2-18 months)

2 & 4 months (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

6 months (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

12 months (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

15 months (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

18 months (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

4-18 Years

Visit Immunizations for School-Aged Children and Youth to learn more about the vaccines recommended for this age group. 

Adults

Routine vaccines for adults (click here for more information from Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule):

  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine – one dose as an adult (Ministry of Health fact sheet)
  • Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) Vaccine - as a booster every 10 years (Ministry of Health fact sheet)
  • Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (Pneu-P-20) vaccine - for adults 65 years of age and older (Ministry of Health fact sheet)
  • Shingles vaccine - for adults 65 to 70 years of age (Ministry of Health fact sheet)
    • Expanded eligibility for shingles vaccine: Seniors born in 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1952 remain eligible for this vaccine until December 31, 2023 under Ontario’s publicly funded program.

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccines page for more information on the vaccines available to each age group.

Influenza or Flu

Influenza (flu) vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older.

 

Reporting Vaccine Records

Some vaccines are required for children to attend licensed child care centres and schools in Ontario. 

However, TBDHU will not automatically receive a record of immunization for vaccines received outside of TBDHU clinics. This information must be submitted by health care providers, parents/guardians, or the patients themselves. 

TBDHU does not need records for adult immunizations. However, adults may require proof of vaccinations for work, school, volunteering and more. It is recommended that adults still keep accurate immunization records for themselves. 

Visit Reporting and Obtaining Immunization Records for details on reporting or updating vaccine records.

NOTE: There are two situations where TBDHU does NOT need a copy of the vaccine record:

  • COVID-19 vaccines: All health care providers must enter the dose into the provincial reporting database for COVID-19 vaccines. This information will always be up-to-date at www.ontario.ca/get-proof
    • Influenza or flu vaccines: It is not necessary to keep a record of the annual influenza or flu vaccine. If you need proof for work or school, ask the health care provider for a proof of immunization card.

 

Getting Vaccine Doses

Thunder Bay

COVID-19 Vaccines: Visit COVID-19 Vaccines for options. 

Flu Vaccines: Visit Getting Your Flu Shot for options. 

Other Vaccines:

  • Contact your primary care provider to make an appointment.
  • No provider and living in Thunder Bay and surrounding rural communities?
    • TBDHU can provide many routine immunizations at our Main Office Vaccine Clinic with an appointment. Visit our Immunization Clinics page or call 807-625-5900 for more information.
    • TBDHU occasionally offers special evening, weekend, or pop-up vaccine clinics. These will be listed on our Immunization Clinics page as they are confirmed.
    • Before going to any vaccine clinic, call TBDHU at 807-625-5900 and ask to speak with a nurse about vaccine needs and clinic options.
  • School-aged children will also have access to some vaccines through school-based vaccine clinics in Thunder Bay. Please visit Immunizations for School-Aged Children and Youth for more information and a clinic schedule.

District Communities

COVID-19 Vaccines: Visit District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for options. 

Other Vaccines: 

  • Contact your primary care provider to make an appointment.
  • No health care provider? Call your local TBDHU Branch office to learn more about your vaccination options.
  • School-aged children will also have access to some vaccines through school-based vaccine clinics in District communities. Please visit Immunizations for School-Aged Children and Youth for more information and a clinic schedule.

 

Questions?

Call the Vaccine Preventable Disease program (807) 625-5900 or Toll-Free 1 (888) 294-6630.

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