Protecting Your Child
Immunization is a simple, effective way to protect your child against infectious diseases.
Routine immunization begins at 2 months of age and continues throughout your child's life.
Remember, it's never too late to begin or complete your immunization series.
Keep a Record of All Immunizations
It is important to keep a record of immunization for yourself and your child. You may need to provide an immunization record when:
- starting childcare or kindergarten;
- starting summer camp, college or university;
- transferring to a school in another region;
- starting a job;
- getting your booster shot;
- presenting yourself for emergency health care; and/or
- travelling.
Routine Immunization Schedule for Children
It is recommended that all children, with few exceptions, be immunized against eight diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella (German Measles) and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).
Other immunizations are recommended and also free in Ontario, including the influenza vaccine which is recommended once a year.
School-Based Immunization Programs
Hepatitis B and meningitis (meningococcal ACYW-135) vaccines are recommended and are free to all grade 7 students.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a recommended vaccine and is free to all grade 8 female students.
Revised: Thursday October 06 2011
