The immunization schedule for healthy infants and children living in Ontario is as follows:
2 months old
- DTaP-IPV-Hib: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib
- Pneu-C-13: Pneumococcal disease
- Rot: Rotavirus
4 months old
- DTaP-IPV-Hib: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib
- Pneu-C-13: Pneumococcal disease
- Rot: Rotavirus
6 months old
- DTaP-IPV-Hib: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib
- *Influenza: The flu
12 months old
- Men-C: Meningococcal disease
- MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Pneu-C-13: Pneumococcal disease
15 months old
- Varicella: Chicken Pox
18 months old
- DTaP-IPV-Hib: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib
4-6 years
- **MMR-Var: Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella
- Tdap-IPV: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio
12 years (Grade 7)
- HB: Hepatitis B (2 doses)
- Men-C: Meningococcal disease
13 years (Grade 8)
- HPV (girls only): Human Papillomavirus (3 doses)
14-16 years (Grade 9)
- *Tdap: Tetanus, Diptheria, Whooping Cough
* Typically received in Gr. 9 (or between ages of 14-16 years old). Should be received 10 years after 4-6 year old DTaP-IPV booster dose. Tetanus vaccine should then follow Tdap every 10 years thereafter.
Notes
Make sure to ask your doctor or health professional if your child is up-to-date on these childhood vaccines too
Adults & adolescents
65 years old
- pneumoccal polysaccharide
Every 10 years
- tetanus, diphtheria
Every autumn
- influenza
At any age, vaccination provides the longest lasting most effective protection against disease. But childhood immunization does not provide lifelong immunity against some diseases such as tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria.
Adults require helper, or booster shots to maintain immunity. As well, adults who were not adequately immunized as children may be at risk of infection from other vaccine-preventable diseases. They can also infect others. For example, adults who contract measles, mumps or pertussis (whooping cough) can infect infants who may not yet be fully immunized.
Seasonal Immunization
Some immunizations are required seasonally. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious infection of the airways caused by the influenza virus. New strains of influenza circulate every year, requiring immunization every autumn. Some people think that influenza is a mild illness, but it can be a very serious illness for individuals over 65 years of age, infants and children or adults with underlying chronic conditions who can develop more serious complications. Individuals who do not get immunized are at risk of infection from the influenza virus and can also infect others. Seasonal influenza immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and others from one of Canada’s most common diseases – influenza.
Travel Immunization
Individuals who travel abroad also require immunizations. Diseases rarely found in Canada are common in other parts of the world. Immunizations offer the most effective protection against diseases such as hepatitis A and measles.
Individuals are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about being up to date on your immunization, as well as whether special immunizations are needed for the countries you are traveling to.