What vaccines should my child receive?

Immunization is one of the best ways of protecting your child against many common vaccine preventable childhood diseases – diseases that can cause serious complications and sometimes even death.

In Canada, vaccines to prevent the following diseases are considered routine, and are given free of charge to children and youth in all provinces and territories:

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus (lockjaw)
• Pertussis (whooping cough);
• Polio;
• Rubella (German measles);
• Measles (red measles);
• Mumps;
• Hepatitis B;
• Haemophilus;
• Influenza type b disease;
• Varicella;
• Pneumococcal;
• Meningococcal; and
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

These vaccines are given by needle "shots”. Some vaccines are given alone and others in combination, according to specific schedules that usually start when your baby is two months old.

For example, you can protect your child from 3 diseases by giving them 1 easy shot called the MMR. It protects children against measles, mumps, and rubella.

In Canada, children should get the MMR shot twice. They can get it when they are:
12 months old and 18 months old, OR
12 months old and before they start school (between ages 4 to 6)

If you have young children, you should check with your doctor or public health nurse to make sure they are getting the right shots at the recommended time.

For more information on vaccines available to you and your family visit the following links:

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/immunization/VaccinationChild.htm

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/ai-an.htm

www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/ptimprog-progimpt/table-1-eng.php

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/HealthAZ/Immunizations.aspx?articleID=6710&categoryID=AZ7b/a>