Get Vaccinated – Adults

For young adults, consider the following:

• ensure two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines were received as a child, and if not, gets two doses as an adult
• diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, one dose as an adult, then diphtheria and tetanus every 10 years
• human papillomavirus vaccine, check with your doctor to see if you are eligible for the free three-dose series. Recommended if you are 26 years of age or younger, and if 27 and older and have ongoing risk of infection (eg. new sexual partners)
• influenza vaccine every year (ideally in November/December)
• meningococcal vaccine if not received as a teen – free for anyone born in 1997 or later
  • Adults born between 1986 and 1996 require one dose of Men-C-C vaccine (Meningococcal Conjugate-C).
• polio vaccine if you were not previously vaccinated
• chickenpox (varicella) vaccine if 18 to 49 years and you never had chickenpox or were never vaccinated.
• see Occupation, Lifestyle and Travel below, for more vaccines

Hepatitis B vaccine

• Prevents transmission of infection to baby
• Chronic carriers can speak with their doctor on how to prevent transmission to their babies.
• If you grew up in Ontario, you may have received the vaccine series in Grade 7/8 (check your immunization card).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

• Prevents infection and reduces incidence of cervical abnormalities, cancer and genital warts
• Prevents transmission of HPV warts and respiratory papillomatosis to babies

MMR – measles, mumps, rubella (live vaccine*)

• Protects against congenital rubella syndrome
• Infection in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage
• Two doses are needed for full protection

Varicella – chickenpox (live vaccine*)

• Not needed if have had chickenpox infection or vaccination before pregnancy
• Infection in early pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.
• Infection can also cause serious complications for the pregnant woman, such as pneumonia.

*As a general rule, live vaccines should not be given during pregnancy. Women should not try for pregnancy for four weeks after receiving a live vaccine.

Influenza vaccine (TIV)

• Protects the mother and baby from flu-related complications during flu season (from October to April)
• Vaccinating the family will protect newborns,
• Infants under six months of age are too young to get the vaccine.

Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine

• Vaccination in each pregnancy, preferably at 27 to 32 weeks to protect babies under six months, when they are at highest risk of getting pertussis
• Vaccinating the family will also protect babies from pertussis infection.
• Up-to-date tetanus will protect against neonatal tetanus.

Pregnant women at higher risk of infections due to occupation or travel should consider additional vaccines such as hepatitis A, polio.

*As a general rule, live vaccines should not be given during pregnancy.

*COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in each pregnancy.

For adults 50 years and over:

• diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine (only if you did not already received a dose as an adult), then
• diphtheria, tetanus boosters every 10 years
• influenza every year (November / December)
• shingles (Herpes Zoster) is not publicly funded for this age group
• hepatitis A & B for individuals at risk of exposure (especially before travel), not publicly funded
• polio if you were never vaccinated

For adults 65 years and over; and persons with specific medical conditions:

• diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine (only if you did not already receive a dose as an adult), then
• diphtheria, tetanus boosters every 10 years
• influenza every year (November / December)
• hepatitis A & B for individuals at risk of exposure (especially before travel), not publicly funded
• pneumococcal vaccines (eg. pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneu-P-23) is publicly funded)
• shingles vaccine is publicly funded for adults 65 to 70 years old

For healthcare providers; child care providers and military personnel, consider the following:

• diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine – one dose in adulthood, then
• diphtheria and tetanus vaccine booster every 10 years
• hepatitis A / B combination vaccine (two to three dose series), not publicly funded
• measles-Mumps-Rubella combination vaccine (two doses)
• varicella (chickenpox) – two doses; or proof of immunity via history of chickenpox or blood test
• meningococcal Quadrivalent Conjugate vaccine, may not be publicly funded
• influenza vaccine every year (ideally in November/December)
• polio vaccine

For persons with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider. Vaccines needed may depend on your health history and age:

• haemophilus influenzae B vaccine
• hepatitis A and B vaccine
• influenza vaccine every year, ideally November / December
• meningococcal vaccines
• pneumococcal vaccines
• human papillomavirus vaccine is publicly funded for MSM, up to 26 years old. Talk to your doctor.
• shingles vaccine

For travellers, please visit a travel health clinic at least 4 weeks before your travel date. Vaccines needed depends on purpose of travel, length of travel and destinations. Most vaccines required for travel are not publicly funded.

• hepatitis A and B vaccine
• meningococcal Quadrivalent Conjugate vaccine cholera (to endemic areas)
• traveller’s diarrhea (especially if you have a chronic illness or weakened immune system)
• Japanese Encephalitis vaccine  (to endemic areas during transmission season)
• polio vaccine (to areas where poliovirus is known)
• rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (to high-risk areas)
• yellow fever vaccine