See the Canadian Immunization Guide for recommended immunization schedules for infants, children, youth, and pregnant women from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Provincial/territorial immunization schedules may differ based on funding differences. Provincial/territorial immunization schedules are available at the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Immunization pain reduction strategies: During vaccination, pain reduction strategies with good evidence include breastfeeding, use of expressed breast milk or use of sweet-tasting solutions, encouraging parents to hold their child, avoiding aspiration during IM injections, giving the most painful vaccine last, and consideration of topical anaesthetics. Immunization pain management (Immunize CA)
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen should not be given prior to, but after vaccination as required.
Prophylactic Antipyretic Administration (PLOS ONE)- Information for physicians on vaccine safety:
- Vaccine safety: (HC) (Immunize Canada) Canada’s vaccine safety program (CPS)
- Autism spectrum disorder: No causal relationship with vaccines (PCH)
- Information for parents on vaccinations can be accessed through:
- ImmunizeCA
- Vaccination and your Child (CPS Caring for Kids)
- Deciding to vaccinate (HC)
- A Parent’s Guide to Vaccination (PHAC)
- Vaccine hesitancy was identified by WHO in 2019 as one of the 10 threats to global health. Evidence-based interventions to improve vaccine confidence include non-judgemental parent education and communication (face-to-face, pamphlet, video, apps, texts), anticipatory guidance including prenatally, team-based approaches and tracking/recall systems, and community wide collaborations.