- People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not get the flu (influenza) shot or the yellow fever vaccine.
- Any person who has had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine should not receive that vaccine again.
- People with weak immune systems may not respond to the vaccine or they may have more side effects after they get a vaccine. In some cases, it may still be recommended that people with weak immune systems receive vaccines (for example, the flu vaccine). Ask your doctor, public health nurse or CLSC (Centre local de santé communautaire) what's best for you.
- If you are very sick with a high fever at the time you are supposed to get the vaccine, you should wait until you are better.
Always check with your nurse or doctor before you get any vaccine. They will review your health history and ask you about any conditions you may have. Bring your vaccination record with you. That way they can make sure it is up-to-date.
The chart below gives reasons why people should or should not get vaccines. The points labelled "For parents" are meant to guide you in vaccinating your children.
| | Do NOT have the vaccine if: | Tell your doctor or public health nurse if: | DO have the vaccine EVEN IF: |
For all vaccines |
- you had an anaphylactic reaction last time you had the vaccine
- you had an anaphylactic reaction to something inside the vaccine (such as eggs)
|
- you had moderate to severe illness (with or without fever) when you were supposed to be vaccinated
|
- you had mild to moderate swelling or redness where the needle went into your body when you got the vaccine before
- you had some illness (with or without fever), when you got the vaccine before
- you are now taking antibiotics
- you are recovering from an illness
- you have just been exposed to a disease that is spread from person to person
- you or someone in your family has allergies
For parents:
- your child was a premature baby
|
DPT | For parents:
|
For parents:
- your child was limp and had low muscle tone (was hypotonic) within 48 hours of having the vaccine last time
|
For parents:
- your child had a fever that was more than 40.5C the last time he or she had the DPT vaccine
- you have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- your baby had a convulsion within 48 hours of having the vaccine last time
- you have a family history of convulsions
- your baby cried for 3 hours or more, within 48 hours of having the vaccine last time
|
IPV |
| | |
MMR |
- you had an anaphylactic reaction the last time you had MMR OR when you were exposed to neomycin
- you are pregnant
- your immune system is very weak
|
- you have recently had a blood transfusion or an immunoglobulin shot (for example, for Hepatitis A)
- you have HIV
|
- you have tuberculosis (TB) or you have had a positive TB skin test
- you are having a test for TB at the same time as this vaccine
- you are taking antibiotics
- you are allergic to eggs
|
Hib | | |
- you have a history of Hib disease
|
Hep B | | |
|
Influenza |
| |
|
|
Meanings of short forms and words in the table above:
DPT - diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine
Hib - Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine
IPV - Inactivated Polio Virus
MMR - Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
Td - Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid, "adult type"
Hep B - Hepatitis B vaccine
Influenza - flu vaccine
Anaphylactic reaction:
An anaphylactic reaction is very rare. It happens when your body starts to swell up because it is allergic to something. If your throat swells, you may not be able to breathe, and you may die.
|
Always check with your health care provider to find out which vaccines are best for you.
Where can I get more information?
Questions and Answers about Vaccination, Health Canada
Along with other resources and information, you can read the the Canadian Immunization Guide on the Health Canada site (You will need a PDF reader to view this document). The above chart is adapted from this guide.
Your Child's Best Shot, Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS)
You can order a copy of this book online.
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