Routine vaccinations recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Schedules vary slightly by province — check with your local public health unit for your exact provincial schedule.
DTaP-IPV-Hib Pneumococcal (PCV15 or PCV20) Rotavirus (dose 1)
DTaP-IPV-Hib protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. This is the first dose of several. NACI has moved the routine pneumococcal conjugate vaccine from PCV13 to the higher-valency PCV15 or PCV20 — check which one your province uses.
DTaP-IPV-Hib (dose 2) Pneumococcal (PCV15 or PCV20, dose 2) Rotavirus (dose 2)
DTaP-IPV-Hib (dose 3) Pneumococcal (PCV15 or PCV20, dose 3 — some provinces use a 3-dose schedule instead) Rotavirus (dose 3, if applicable) Influenza (annually from 6 months)
Influenza vaccination is recommended annually for all Canadians aged 6 months and older. It is publicly funded in most provinces.
MMR (dose 1) Varicella (dose 1) Pneumococcal (booster dose) Meningococcal C
MMR protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Some provinces give MMRV (combined with varicella) at this age.
Hepatitis A (some provinces)
Hepatitis A vaccination timing varies by province. Some include it at 12–15 months, others do not include it in the routine schedule.
DTaP-IPV-Hib (booster) MMRV or MMR + Varicella (dose 2)
DTaP-IPV (booster) MMRV or MMR + Varicella (if not given at 18m)
This booster is typically required before starting school. Check your province's school entry requirements.
HPV (2 doses, 6 months apart) Hepatitis B (if not given in infancy) Meningococcal ACWY
HPV vaccine is publicly funded for all students, but the exact school grade varies by province: Grade 6 in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador; Grade 7 in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Meningococcal ACWY school timing varies even more widely (Grade 4 to Grade 9 depending on province) — check your province's school immunisation program for the exact grade. HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus, including cervical, throat, and anal cancers.
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis booster)
A booster dose of Tdap is recommended in adolescence and then every 10 years for tetanus/diphtheria.
Td or Tdap booster every 10 years Influenza (annually) COVID-19 (as recommended)
Every adult should have a tetanus/diphtheria booster every 10 years. One dose in adulthood should be Tdap (with pertussis) if not previously received.
Shingles (Shingrix, 2 doses)
Shingrix is recommended for adults 50 and older. Public funding varies significantly by province and is often a narrow age window rather than open-ended 65+ eligibility — for example, Ontario funds it only for ages 65–70, while Quebec funds it from age 71. It is 90%+ effective at preventing shingles. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about eligibility and cost.
Pneumococcal (PCV20 or PCV15 + PPSV23) Influenza (high-dose recommended)
Adults 65+ are at higher risk for pneumococcal disease. NACI recommends PCV20 as a single dose. High-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccine is preferred for seniors.
Tdap (one dose each pregnancy, 27–32 weeks) Influenza (any trimester) COVID-19 (as recommended) RSV (if available, 32–36 weeks)
Tdap in pregnancy protects the newborn from whooping cough in the first weeks of life before they can be vaccinated themselves. It is safe and recommended in every pregnancy.
Older adults 75+ (routine) Adults 65–74 at higher risk (routine) Infants (nirsevimab / Beyfortus) Pregnancy 32–36 weeks (some provinces)
RSV protection is rolling out across Canada, but eligibility and funding vary a lot by province and territory. NACI's April 2026 update recommends RSV immunisation programs include all adults 75 and older, and adults 65–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. For adults 18–64 at increased risk (including those 50–59), RSV vaccination may be considered on an individual basis after discussion with a healthcare provider — it isn't a routine program recommendation at that age. For babies, a long-acting antibody (nirsevimab, Beyfortus) is given seasonally — some provinces offer it to all infants, others to high-risk babies only — and some provinces instead offer an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Check your province or territory, or ask your doctor or public health unit. Source: NACI / Canadian Immunization Guide, April 2026 update.
Children: Through your family doctor, paediatrician, or local public health clinic. School-based programs deliver Grade 7 vaccines in most provinces.
Adults: Your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or pharmacist. Most pharmacists in Canada can administer routine vaccines (age 5+ in most provinces). Pharmacies are often the most convenient option for flu shots, shingles, and travel vaccines.
Cost: All routine childhood vaccines are publicly funded at no cost. Most adult vaccines on the provincial schedule are also free. Some vaccines (shingles for under-65s, travel vaccines, HPV catch-up for adults) may need to be paid for out of pocket or through private insurance. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about costs before booking.
Records: Keep your own vaccination records. Some provinces have digital immunisation registries (e.g. CANImmunize, Ontario's COVaxON). For children, your public health unit maintains records — you can request a copy anytime.