Immunizations, also called vaccinations, are the best way to protect you and your child against dangerous diseases.

Immunizations are shots or needles, which help the body to make its own protection against certain diseases that, can make you very sick, or even kill you.

Immunizations Protect Against		Using Vaccines
Chicken Pox Diphtheria Haemophilius Influenza Type B (HIB) Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Influenza (flu) Measles	Meningococcal Disease (Meningitis) Mumps Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pneumococcal Disease (Pneumonia) Polio Rotavirus Rubella (German Measles) Shingles Tetanus	Select from the left Choose a disease from the left to view information on the disease and information on their respective vaccines. Chicken Pox The chicken pox virus causes fatigue, mild headaches, fever, chills and muscle/joint aches a day or two before an itchy, red rash appears. The vaccines that protect against varicella include: Varivax® or Varilrix® Diphtheria Diphtheria is a serious disease of the nose, throat and skin. It causes sore throat, fever and chills. It can also cause breathing problems, heart failure and nerve damage. The vaccines that protect against diphtheria include: Pediacel®, Pentacel® [DPTP-Hib], Quadracel® [DPTP], Adacel® [Tdap], TdP Adsorbed, Td Adsorbed. Haemophilius Influenza Type B (HIB) Even though "influenza" is a part of its name, the Hib germ does not cause the flu. Prior to vaccine Hib was a common cause of bacterial meningitis in children. The vaccines that protect against Hib include: Pediacel®, Pentacel® [DPTP-Hib] or Act-HIB Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is a virus that affects your liver and is spread by feces to mouth contact. The vaccines that protect against Hepatitis A include: Havrix®, Vaqta®, Avaxim® or Avaxim® Pediatric. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a virus that affects your liver. It is spread from person to person by exposure to body fluids of an infected person. Consent Form (PDF) The vaccines that protect against Hepatitis B include: Recomibvax HB® or Engerix®-B Human Papillomavirus (HPV) HPV is a virus that affects the genital areas of men and women. Certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. Consent Form (PDF) The vaccines that protect against HPV include: Gardasil® Influenza (Flu) Influenza (commonly known as "the flu") is a respiratory disease that is caused by a virus. The vaccines that protect against influenza include: Fluviral® or Vaxigrip® Measles Measles is a serious viral infection. It spreads very easily and causes high fever, cough, rash, runny nose and watery eyes. The vaccines that protect against measles include: M-M-R® or Priorix® Meningococcal C Disease (Meningitis) Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (a swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) or meningococcemia (an infection of the blood stream). Consent Form (PDF) The vaccines that protect against Meningococcal C disease include: Menjugate®, NeisVac-C® or Meningitec® Mumps Mumps is a serious viral infection. It is spreads easily and can cause fever, headaches, and swelling of the cheeks and jaw. The vaccines that protect against mumps include: M-M-R® or Priorix® Pneumococcal Disease (Pneumonia) Infection with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria can cause very serious illness or death. These bacteria are responsible for meningitis, blood infections, pneumonia, and ear infections in children, the elderly, and certain high risk groups. The vaccines that protect against pneumococcal disease include: Prevnar® (for young children) or Pnuemovax®23 or Pneumo 23® (older children or adults) Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pertussis or whooping cough is a serious disease, especially in children. This disease has violent coughing which can cause them to vomit or briefly stop breathing. The cough can last for weeks, and make it hard to eat, drink or even breathe. The vaccines that protect against pertussis include: Pediacel®, Pentacel® [DPTP-Hib], Quadracel® [DPTP] or Adacel® [Tdap] Polio This disease can cause nerve damage and paralyze a person for life. The vaccines that protect against polio include: Pediacel®, Pentacel® [DPTP-Hib], Quadracel® [DPTP], TdP Adsorbed, or Inactivated Poliomyelitis Vaccine [IPV]. Rotavirus Rotavirus is a common virus that infects the stomach and intestines causing gastroenteritis or the "stomach flu." It is the major cause for serious diarrhea illness in young children in Canada. The vaccine that protect against rotavirus is: RotaTeq® Rubella (German Measles) Rubella is usually a mild illness in children, but can be more severe in older children and adults (especially women). Rubella may cause fever, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck, and a rash on the face and neck. The vaccines that protect against rubella include: M-M-R® or Priorix® Tetanus Tetanus (or lockjaw) is a serious disease that develops poison that causes cramping of the muscles in the neck, arms, leg, and stomach, and painful convulsions that can be severe enough to break bones. The vaccines that protect against Tetanus include: Pediacel®, Pentacel® [DPTP-Hib], Quadracel® [DPTP], Adacel® [Tdap], TdP Adsorbed, Td Adsorbed. Shingles Shingles is an illness caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. You can only get shingles if you have had chickenpox before. The symptoms are pain and a rash with blisters that scab over in three to five days. The vaccine that protect against Shingles include: Zostavax
Note all vaccine fact sheets are PDFs and open in a new window.

There are also vaccinations available for people travelling to countries with diseases that are not common in Canada, such as typhoid fever.

   Links

Immunization Information on the Internet: Can you trust what you read?, Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion, December 2009.

Vaccination and your child. Canadian Paediatric Society.

A Parent's Guide to Immunization. Public Health Agency of Canada, June 2009. Information on 13 vaccine-preventable diseases, with straightforward answers to common questions.

Caring For Kids. Information on health, safety, development, and parenting from Canada's Paediatric society.

How Safe are Vaccines?

All vaccines in Canada are safe. They are tested an average of 10 years before they can be used.

Serious side effects are rare. Mild pain, swelling, and redness for a few days are common at the spot where the needle was given. Occasionally, slight fever, headache, tiredness, joint pain, muscle aches, and rash can occur. Some children get a fever, rash, lose their appetite, or are fussy or drowsy for a day or two after the vaccination. Your family health care provider may suggest you give your child a medicine called acetaminophen to prevent pain and fever.

Serious side effects are very rare. You should report any side effects or severe vaccine reactions with a qualified health care provider.

• high fever (over 40 C or 104 F)
• crying for more than three hours
• convulsions or seizures
• very pale colour and serious drowsiness
• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• trouble breathing
• other serious problems

When are they needed?

Immunizations are given according to a schedule, which begin at two months of age to protect infants from illnesses that can be very serious for them.

Immunizations are also required by law for your child to attend day care and school. In Ontario, parents/guardians are required to provide their local public health unit with a written record or proof of immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella unless there is a valid exemption.

Where do I get Immunized?

Many of the vaccines that are licensed for use in Canada are paid for by the government in Ontario, so there is no cost to receive these vaccines. They are available from your health care provider or at a Health Unit clinic. See the appropriate age group for more detailed information on the vaccines available.

Call the Health Unit at 519.482.3416 or 1.877.837.6143 for your appointment.

Vaccines related to travel and some other specialized groups are not free.