Ontario's routine immunization schedule

About routine immunization

Vaccines help:

• build up and strengthen your immune system
• protect you against disease in each stage of life

Immunization helps to prevent serious illnesses - including many that are easily spread in schools and daycare centres.

Vaccines in Ontario’s routine immunization schedule are provided free of charge if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Learn more about vaccines and immunizations in Ontario.

See all the recommended vaccines in each stage of life.

Vaccines during pregnancy

If you're pregnant, to help protect yourself and baby during their first few months from serious illness, you should be vaccinated against:

• whooping cough (pertussis)
• flu

Talk to your health care provider or local public health unit about making sure your vaccines are up to date as other vaccines may be recommended for you.

Vaccines for babies and toddlers

You should vaccinate your children during their first and second years.

Learn more about vaccines for babies and toddlers, including information about required vaccines for children who attend licensed child care centers.

First year vaccinations

At 2 and 4 months old, babies should receive the following vaccines:

• diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in a 5-in-1 vaccine called the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine
• pneumococcal conjugate
• rotavirus

At 6 months old, babies should receive the following vaccine:

• diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in a 5-in-1 vaccine called the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine

At 1 year of age, babies should receive the following vaccines:

• pneumococcal conjugate
• meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-C)
• measles, mumps and rubella in a 3-in-1 vaccine called the MMR vaccine

Second year vaccinations

At 15 months old, babies should receive the following vaccine:

• chickenpox (varicella)

At 18 months old, babies should receive the following vaccine:

• diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in a 5-in-1 vaccine called the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine

Vaccines for children at school

Learn more about vaccines for children at school, including the school immunization checklist.

Between 4 and 6 years old, children should receive the following vaccines:

• tetanus ,diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio in a 4-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap-IPV vaccine
• measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) in a 4-in-1 vaccine called the MMRV vaccine

In grade 7, children should receive the following vaccines:

• meningococcal conjugate (Men-C-ACYW)
• hepatitis B
• human papillomavirus (HPV)

Between 14 and 16 years old, teens should receive the following vaccine:

• tetanus ,diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in a 3-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap vaccine

Vaccines for adults

As an adult you should receive the following vaccines:

• tetanus ,diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in a 3-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap vaccine (once in adulthood and once in every pregnancy)
• tetanus and diphtheria in a 2-in-1 vaccine called the Td vaccine (every 10 years)
• flu (every fall)
• pneumococcal (at age 65)
• shingles (2-dose series between age 65 to 70)

Learn more about vaccines for adults, including information about vaccination before traveling, flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines.

Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines for all

• flu (every fall for everyone aged 6 months and older)
• COVID-19 (for everyone 6 months of age and older)

Personal risk factors

If you have special medical conditions or other high risk factors, you may need additional vaccines, and some of these may be free under the publicly funded program. Talk to your health care provider or your local public health unit about other recommended vaccines.