Childhood Immunizations
Recommended immunizations
Childhood immunization recommendations and schedules may vary by
province and territory. These schedules outline the immunizations and booster
shots needed from birth to age 18 and when catch-up immunizations are given.
The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
recommends a specific
childhood immunization schedule that includes
immunizations for:4
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
(DTaP)
A total of five shots (injections) are usually given: four before
18 months of age and one at 4 to 6 years of age. The shots protect against
diphtheria,
tetanus, and
whooping cough (pertussis).
Children age 7 or older who have not been immunized or it is not
known if they have may get the Tdap vaccine, which is the adult formulation
used for people 7 and older.
There are 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 shots that combine several vaccines.
The 4-in-1 protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio. And the
5-in-1 protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Polio
The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) should be given at 2
months, 4 months, between 6 and 18 months, and between 4 and 6 years of age,
for a total of four doses. This shot protects against
polio. This vaccine may not be given separately if the
4-in-1 or 5-in-1 vaccine is used.
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
Two doses provide lifelong protection against
measles,
mumps, and
rubella. One shot is given at 1 year of age and the
other at least 1 month after the first shot. To make it easy on parents, some
provinces and territories may recommend that the second shot is given with
other vaccines: at 18 months or between 4 and 6 years of age, before starting
school. Research has not shown a link between the
MMR
shot and autism.2, 3
Chicken pox (varicella)
One dose of this shot is recommended for all healthy children 12
months of age and older who have not had chicken pox. Many provinces require
that children entering daycare or school get immunized against chicken pox
unless they can show proof of immunity (having had chicken pox or blood test
results). The vaccine is given as a single dose at 12 to 18 months of age. Not
all health plans cover the cost of the chicken pox shot. You may have to pay
for it.
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
Three shots provide long-lasting immunity against hepatitis B.
When a baby is immunized depends on whether the mother has tested positive for
hepatitis B. In general, the NACI and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend
that a baby receive the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth (before
leaving the hospital) or within 12 hours of birth if the mother has tested
positive for hepatitis B. The remaining doses are given by about 6 months of
age. Children who have not been immunized for hepatitis B and are age 18 or
younger can be given the three shots separately over a period of about 6
months.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
This immunization protects against a bacteria that can cause an
infection in the covering of the brain (meningitis) or
lungs (pneumonia), skin and bone infections, and other
serious illnesses in young children. It does not protect against viral
influenza (flu). Hib is given as 3 or 4 shots, beginning when a baby is 2
months old and completed by 18 months of age. Children with certain health
conditions who are older than 5 years of age may also need the Hib
immunization.
Pneumococcal infections
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) helps protect young
children against meningitis, blood infections (sepsis), and pneumonia. It also
helps protect against ear infections.5 Babies and
toddlers should be immunized with PCV at 2, 4, 6, and 12 to 15 months for a
total of four shots. Depending on what is recommended in your province, the 3
doses of the vaccine may be given at 2, 4, and 12 months of age. Your doctor
may call this vaccine by its brand name Prevnar.
Meningococcal disease
This vaccine is recommended for infants at 2, 4, and 6 months of
age, or at the ages recommended by your doctor. In children ages 1 to 4 years,
a single dose can be given, and it may be considered for children age 5 and
older who have not been immunized.6 Children 2 and
older who have a high risk for getting and having severe problems from
meningitis should also have another type of meningococcal vaccine. These
children include those who have a damaged or missing
spleen or who have certain
immune system problems.
Influenza (flu)
Your province or territory may have different recommendations
about who should get a yearly flu shot. Flu shots are not given to children
younger than 6 months of age. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization
(NACI) and the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) suggest that everyone older
than 6 months have a
flu
shot once a year. But it is especially important that people who have a
high risk of having complications from the flu get one each year. People who
have a high risk of having complications from the flu include.7, 8
- All children 6 through
23 months of age.
- Children 24 months and older, as recommended by
the Canadian Paediatric Society, especially those with certain medical
conditions (such as
asthma, chronic heart or lung disorders, or an
impaired immune system).
- Close contacts,
including household contacts and out-of-home caregivers, of children 23 months
of age and younger and of children 24 months and older who are at high risk for
complications from the flu.
If your child is not high risk, you may have to pay for the flu
shot.
Some immunizations require more than one dose given at varying
intervals. Although your child does not need to restart the series if a
scheduled dose is missed, the immunization should be given as soon as
possible.
Ask your health professional or local health unit for detailed
information about whether your child needs a specific immunization and for the
schedule used in your province or territory.
Other immunizations
Your child's doctor may recommend other immunizations, depending
on whether your child is at higher risk than other children for certain health
problems. Some of these other immunizations may include:
Hepatitis A (Hep A)
This immunization is recommended for anyone 1 year of age or
older who lives in a community where there is increased risk for hepatitis A or
who will travel to a foreign country where hepatitis A is common. Hepatitis A
vaccines are licensed in Canada for people age 1 and older. But studies show
that the vaccines are safe and work in infants 6 months and older.9, 10
Rotavirus vaccine
This vaccine (RotaTeq) was approved by Health Canada's
Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) in 2006. The NACI has not made a formal
statement on when to give the vaccine. It is swallowed rather than given as a
shot. Without the vaccine, most children will get
rotavirus infection by the time they are about 5 years
old. Rotavirus infection causes severe diarrhea.
Keeping good immunization records
It is important to keep accurate records of immunizations,
including any reactions to the vaccines. You may need to show proof of
immunizations when you enroll your child in daycare or school.
- Know when each immunization should be
scheduled and put reminder notes on your calendar. You also may want to ask
your health professional to send you notices when immunizations are
due.
- Make sure your health professional goes over your child's
immunization record with you during each office visit.
- Keep the record in a safe place and never throw it away. These
are an important part of your child's permanent medical records.
For a form you can use to track your child's immunizations, see
the
national
childhood immunization record
(What is a PDF document?) or the
British
Columbia childhood immunization record
(What is a PDF document?).
Immunization safety
Many parents worry that immunizations are dangerous if given when
their child has a cold or other minor illness. Talk to your health professional
if you have
concerns about the timing of immunizations. Keep in
mind that immunizations can usually still be given during a mild illness, while
medications are being taken, and in other situations where a child may not be
in perfect health. There are very few
valid
reasons for not getting your child immunized.
Some parents also fear that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
vaccine may cause their child to develop
autism. Misleading stories about the
MMR
shot and autism have circulated through Web sites, the media, and word
of mouth. However, scientific studies investigating these claims have found no
connection between autism and the vaccine.2, 3