Immunization for Everyone

We welcome you to Canada and encourage you to find out what immunizations you and your family need.

Immunization (also known as vaccination, shots or needles) is the best way to protect you and your family from diseases that can cause serious complications and even death.

Depending on where you immigrated from and the vaccines you received in your previous area of residence, you may be required to complete a catch-up schedule to ensure that you and your family are fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Contact your local public health office or clinic for information about the immunizations you need.

It is important that you keep a record of all the immunizations that you and your family have received.  Proof of immunization may need to be provided to your children’s school and local public health office.

When you receive your own immunization record, be sure to:

• Keep it in a safe place with your other personal medical information.
• Bring it with you each time you are immunized, so your record can be updated.

When you receive each child’s immunization record, be sure to:

• Keep each child’s record in a safe place with each child’s other personal medical information.
• Bring your child’s record with you each time that child is immunized, so your child’s record can be updated.

The Public Health Agency of Canada publishes A Parent's Guide to Vaccination in 13 languages.

For health care professionals:

Caring for Kids New to Canada is an online guide for health care professionals working with immigrant and refugee children and youth. Canadian Paediatric Society.