Childhood Immunization Schedule

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Childhood immunization is a subject many parents have questions about. What vaccines does my child need? When should I take my child for their first needles? Please read on to learn more about the routine childhood immunization schedule and the diseases your child can be protected against.

Routine Childhood Immunization Schedule

Children usually get their first needles at 2 months of age. One needle, called the 5-in-1 protects against 5 diseases:

• diphtheria
• tetanus
• pertussis (whooping cough)
• polio
• haemophilus influenza b (Hib)

The 5-in-1 needle is given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age.

Babies also receive an oral vaccine (given by mouth) at 2 & 4 months of age that protects against Rotavirus. This vaccine can only be given until 24 weeks of age, so it is really important to start your babies vaccines on time and stay on schedule.

Children can also receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which protects against meningitis, septicemia (blood poisoning), pneumonia and ear infections caused by the streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. This vaccine is given at 2, 4, and 12 months of age for healthy children. For children at high risk of pneumococcal disease, such as those with chronic renal disease, cardiac disease or immune deficiency, they may receive this vaccine at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months of age.

At 12 months your child will be offered the meningococcal C conjugate (Men-C) vaccine, which protects against meningitis and septicemia (blood poisoning) caused by the meningococcal C bacteria. This vaccine is recommended starting at 2 months of age, but is only publicly funded (free) in Ontario at one year of age. You may purchase this vaccine if you would like your child to receive it earlier than 1 year of age. At 12 months of age children also get a vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

When your child turns 15 months they can receive the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

School Entry

Around the time that your child starts school, they will require their “4-6 year booster” and a vaccine called MMRV. The 4-6 year needle boosts their protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV). MMRV vaccine boosts their protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox).

If your child has already received their 2nd dose of MMR vaccine before 4-6 years of age, they will receive a second dose of chickenpox only vaccine, if they have not had chickenpox disease.

If your child has already had chickenpox disease by the time their 2nd dose is to be given, they will only require MMR vaccine if they have not already had 2 doses after their 1st birthday.

Grade Seven

Your child will be offered the hepatitis B vaccine & meningococcal conjugate ACWY vaccine at school in grade 7. Hepatitis B vaccine is given in two doses; the first dose is given in the fall and the second dose in the spring. The meningococcal conjugate ACWY vaccine is given as a single dose in the winter. This vaccine protects against 3 additional serotypes of meningitis and boosts your child’s immunity to the Men-C strain they were vaccinated against at 12 months.

Grade Eight

Grade 8 girls are offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at school. It is given in three doses; one in the fall, one in the winter and one in the spring. While this vaccine is currently only publicly funded (free) for grade 8 girls, it is recommended for males 9-26 years of age and females 9-45 years of age. Those who are not in Grade 8 may choose to purchase the vaccine. Some drug plans may cover the cost of this vaccine.

14 to 16 years

Between the ages of 14 and16 years, your child will need a booster for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap). This can be received through your health care provider. Remember that a booster for tetanus and diphtheria (Td) is needed every 10 years after that to ensure long-lasting protection against these diseases.

Certain vaccines are also publicly funded (free) for certain other groups. To find out if your child is able to receive free vaccine, please contact the health unit. If your child does not qualify for the free vaccine, you may choose to purchase the vaccine(s). Some drug plans may also cover the cost of these vaccines.

What else do I need to know?

After you or your child receive a vaccine, update the immunization record (Yellow Card). Keep it in a safe place.

When your child starts school, you will be asked to provide a copy of their immunization record, which will be forwarded on to the health unit by the school.

The health unit is required to keep immunization records on file for all children enrolled in a day nursery or school. If your child receives immunizations from your health care provider, you can update your child’s record in any one of the following ways:

• Use the secure on-line form on our website (www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/immsonline)
• Fax a copy to 705-721-1495
• Mail a copy to: VPD Program, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, 15 Sperling Drive, Barrie ON, L4M 6K9
• Drop off a copy at any one of our offices
• Call Your Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 (toll-free)

A confidential electronic database stores this information and it is available to you on request. It is important to note that health care providers do not routinely provide this information to the health unit.

Ontario Routine Immunization Schedule - August 2011