Adult Pertussis Booster
Find out how to protect yourself and the children around you.
Expanded Immunization Program
New and expanded Ontario Immunization Program.
Immunization Schedule for Adults
Immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions. Every year immunizations save many people from death or disability, and help reduce medical care costs and hospital admissions. Immunization is a lifelong process of preventing infection and disease.
We do our best to protect our children, but we also have to remember to protect ourselves. Adults should receive all doses of vaccines recommended to them. Immunizations are recommended based on your occupation, travel, underlying medical conditions, environment, lifestyle and age.
Some vaccines are free through your health care provider. Make sure you’re protected.
| Vaccine | Who should receive it? |
| Tetanus Diphtheria |
Everyone, every 10 years |
| Pertussis (whooping cough) |
Everyone, once in adulthood |
| Influenza | Everyone 6 months of age and older, every year |
| Polio | People who were previously unimmunized who may be exposed to wild polio cases, and health care workers |
| Pneumococcal | Everyone 65 years of age and older |
| Hepatitis B | People with medical, occupational or lifestyle risks and anyone who wants protection from Hepatitis B |
| Hepatitis A | People with medical, occupational or lifestyle risks and anyone who wants protection from Hepatitis A |
| Meningococcal | People with specific medical conditions and people living in residential accommodation including students and military personnel |
| Measles Mumps Rubella (German measles) |
People who have not had the vaccine or the disease |
| Varicella (chickenpox) |
People who have not had the vaccine or the disease |
| HPV | All females 9 to 45 years of age All males 9 to 26 years of age |
| Herpes Zoster (shingles) |
Everyone 60 years of age and older |
| Travel Vaccines | Varies by destination – visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website or go to your local travel clinic |
*Adapted from the Canadian Immunization Guide 2006, National Advisory Committee on Immunization and Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion
Learn more information about vaccine preventable diseases.
Recommended Adult Immunizations
Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)
A booster for Td is recommended every 10 years after the 14 to 16 year old adolescent booster to ensure long-lasting protection against these diseases. This vaccine is publicly funded (free) for all adults.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
One lifetime dose of Tdap is recommended for adults 19 to 64 years of age who have not previously received a dose of acellular pertussis vaccine during adolescence. This lifetime dose is free and will replace one of the Td booster doses given every 10 years.
Influenza
All individuals aged 6 months and older who live, work or attend school in Ontario are eligible to receive seasonal influenza vaccine for free.
Polio
Publicly funded for eligible individuals.
Pneumococcal
Adults 65 years of age and older can receive one free dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, which protects against meningitis, septicemia (blood poisoning) and pneumonia caused by 23 strains of the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
A 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is also available for adults 50 years of age and older. This vaccine provides protection against 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Currently this vaccine is not publicly-funded in Ontario. It is available for purchase with a prescription. Consult your health care provider to discuss which vaccine meets your immunization needs.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
A second dose of MMR is recommended for young adults (18 to 25 years), post secondary students, persons who received killed measles vaccine (1967 to 1970), health care workers or those who plan to travel internationally. This is a live vaccine and should not be given during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider if you plan on becoming pregnant. This vaccine is publicly funded.
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Combined hepatitis A/B, and Meningococcal Vaccines
Publicly funded for adults in certain high-risk groups; for more information about high-risk groups, please contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. May be required for certain occupations, travel or educational institutions, however, it is not publicly funded under these circumstances.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Individuals who have never had the vaccine or chickenpox disease are recommended to receive a 2-dose series of varicella vaccine. This is a live vaccine and should not be given during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider if you plan on becoming pregnant. This vaccine is only publicly funded for adults in certain high-risk groups.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is given in a 3-dose series and is currently not publicly funded for adults.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Recommended for the prevention of herpes zoster and its complications in adults 60 years of age and older. This vaccine is given in one dose and is currently not publicly funded.
Revised: Friday April 20 2012
