This is a common question we hear from our patients at Monarch. The routine publicly funded (free) Ontario vaccine schedule starts at 2 months of age for healthy newborns. Your baby’s doctor visits up to 18 months are mostly schedule around the immunizations which occur at 2, 4, 6, 12, 15 and 18 months. They then do not receive another vaccination until they are between the ages of 4-6.
From these vaccines, your infant will receive protection from the following illnesses:
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (Whopping cough)
- Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB)
- Pneumococcal
- Rotavirus
- Meningitis C
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Babies older than 6 months are recommended to receive the annual influenza vaccine (flu shot) each fall. There are a few vaccines that do not fall into the publically funded schedule. Your physician will discuss these vaccines with you and if they would be necessary for your infant. In adolescence, the following immunizations are provided: Hepatitis B, Human papilloma virus (HPV; protect from cervical cancer), another Meningitis vaccine and a booster for tetanus and pertussis.
Please see attached link for specific details about each illness the vaccines protect against:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/immunization/static/immunization_tool.html
This is another useful link on how you can make a positive vaccination experience for your infant:
For further information or if you are unclear as to why certain vaccines are given or questioning the usefulness of vaccines, we strongly encourage you to have a discussion with your physician. There are many misconceptions about vaccines and a simple visit with a physician can often help clarify any concerns you may have.
In the meantime, this link may provide some answers to your questions: