Vaccines are an important part of health care at every age. They help your immune system learn how to fight certain diseases before you are exposed to them. Staying up to date can lower your risk of serious illness, a hospital stay, long-term health problems, and death.
Some vaccines also protect your long-term health. For example, the HPV vaccine helps prevent several types of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent long-term liver disease and liver cancer.
Vaccination also helps protect people around you. This includes babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems.
Vaccines are not only for children. The vaccines you need may depend on your age, health, pregnancy, job, travel plans, living situation, and past vaccines. Many vaccines are free for people who qualify through Ontario’s publicly funded vaccine program.
Learn more about the benefits of immunization.
Quick Links
- See Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule
- View or Update an Immunization Record
- Find Immunization Clinics
- Read Frequently Asked Questions
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines safely teach your immune system how to spot and fight certain viruses or bacteria. If you are exposed to the disease later, your immune system can respond faster. This can prevent illness or lower your chance of becoming very sick.
Vaccines can:
- Protect you from serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases.
- Lower your risk of complications and a hospital stay.
- Help stop infections from spreading to others.
- Lower the risk of some chronic diseases by preventing infections that can cause cancer, long-term liver disease, and other health problems.
- Help protect people who cannot receive certain vaccines or may not build strong protection.
Learn more about vaccines in Ontario and how vaccines work.
Vaccination Through the Lifespan
Routine vaccines begin during infancy and continue through early childhood. Getting vaccines on time protects children during the years when some infections can be more serious.
Parents and caregivers should:
- Follow Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule.
- Bring their child’s vaccine record to each appointment.
- Ask their health care provider about vaccines that are due or have been missed.
- Report each vaccine their child receives to the WECHU.
- Ask which seasonal vaccines are recommended for their child.
Visit Immunization for Your Children for more information.
Children continue to need vaccines as they grow. Review your child’s vaccine record before they start school and again during their teen years.
WECHU offers hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and meningococcal vaccines at school-based clinics. The meningococcal vaccine is required under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act. The hepatitis B and HPV vaccines are recommended but are not required under the Act.
The HPV vaccine helps prevent infections that can cause several types of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine helps prevent an infection that can lead to long-term liver disease and liver cancer. Getting these vaccines at the recommended age can provide protection that lasts into adulthood.
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Adults also need vaccines to stay protected. Protection from some childhood vaccines can become weaker over time. Some adults may also have missed vaccines when they were younger.
Based on your age, health, and other risk factors, you may need vaccines that protect against:
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Measles, mumps, and rubella
- Human papillomavirus
- Hepatitis A and B
- Pneumococcal disease
- Shingles
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Meningococcal disease
Vaccines can also protect your long-term health. Some vaccines prevent infections that can lead to chronic disease later in life. For example, the HPV vaccine can help prevent several types of cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine can help prevent long-term liver disease and liver cancer.
Your vaccine needs may change based on your age, health, work, travel, living situation, or past vaccines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist which vaccines are recommended for you.
Vaccination can help protect a pregnant person and their baby. If you are planning a pregnancy, review your vaccine record with a health care provider. Some vaccines are best given before pregnancy.
During pregnancy:
- A vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis is recommended during every pregnancy. It should ideally be given between 27 and 32 weeks.
- Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended.
- Ask your health care provider if an RSV vaccine is recommended and available for you.
- Speak with a health care provider before getting a vaccine if you are not sure whether it is recommended during pregnancy.
The risk of serious illness from some infections increases with age. Vaccination can help older adults stay healthy and independent. It can also lower their risk of serious illness, a hospital stay, and other health problems.
Vaccines that may be recommended for older adults include:
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Pneumococcal disease
- Shingles
- RSV
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
Whether a vaccine is free may depend on your age, health, or other risk factors. Speak with your health care provider or pharmacist. You can also check Ontario’s current immunization schedule.
Additional resources for older adults:
Vaccination can be very important for people with chronic health conditions. Some infections can cause more serious illness or make an existing condition worse. Staying up to date can help prevent complications and protect long-term health.
Some people may need extra doses or vaccines that are not recommended for everyone. This may include people who:
- Have a weak immune system.
- Have certain chronic health conditions.
- Do not have a working spleen.
- Receive treatments that affect the immune system.
- Live or work in places where infections can spread more easily.
- Have a higher risk of infection through their work.
- Are travelling outside Canada.
Speak with a health care provider before travelling or starting a treatment that may affect your immune system.
Stay Protected During Respiratory Illness Season
Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can cause serious illness. The risk can be higher for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with certain health conditions.
Vaccine advice, who can get a free vaccine, and vaccine supply can change each season. Check the latest information before booking:
Where to Get Vaccinated
Vaccines may be available from:
- Your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
- Participating pharmacies.
- Some walk-in clinics.
- WECHU vaccination clinics.
- School-based clinics for eligible students.
- Hospitals or other health care settings for eligible patients.
Ontario pharmacists can now give more publicly funded vaccines to people who qualify. These include vaccines that protect against tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumococcal disease, RSV, and shingles.
Contact the pharmacy before you visit. Ask if the vaccine is available and if you qualify to receive it for free.
Learn more about expanded pharmacy services.
Not every location offers every vaccine. Some recommended vaccines may not be free. Ask about cost and whether you qualify when booking.
Keep Your Immunization Record Up to Date
Keep a personal record of every vaccine you or your child receives. Bring the record to each vaccine appointment.
Parents and guardians must report their child’s vaccines to the WECHU. Health care providers do not automatically send these records to the local public health unit.
Use Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) to:
- View the vaccine information WECHU has on file.
- Report vaccines given by a health care provider.
- Check which vaccines may be due.
- Download or print a vaccine record.
It is not too late to catch up on a missed vaccine. A health care provider or public health nurse can review your record and recommend a catch-up plan.
Vaccine Safety and Side Effects
Vaccines used in Canada must meet Health Canada’s rules for safety, quality, and how well they work. Vaccine safety is also checked after a vaccine is approved.
Most side effects are mild and do not last long. These may include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling where the vaccine was given.
- Feeling tired.
- A headache or sore muscles.
- A mild fever.
Serious reactions are rare. Tell the person giving the vaccine about any allergies, past serious reactions, health conditions, or pregnancy.
Follow the instructions you receive after vaccination. Get medical help if you have a serious or unexpected reaction.
Learn more about vaccine safety and side effects.
Have Questions?
It is normal to have questions about vaccines. Speak with a doctor, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or public health nurse about:
- Which vaccines are recommended for you or your family.
- The benefits and possible side effects.
- Vaccine ingredients and safety.
- Which vaccines are publicly funded.
- How to catch up on missed vaccines.
For any questions or inquiries about vaccines or vaccination, contact the WECHU Immunization Department at 519-258-2146, ext. 1222 or imms@wechu.org.