FAQ
Select a category from the dropdown menu to browse frequently asked questions by topic, or search the entire FAQ or a specific category by keyword.
- The rotavirus vaccine is a fairly new vaccine and was added to the routine schedule in 2012 to protect children against a group of gastrointestinal viruses.
- The hepatitis A vaccine was added to the routine schedule for all Aboriginal children in 2012 following several outbreaks of hepatitis A in Aboriginal communities.
- The HPV vaccine schedule for Grade 6 students changed from three doses to two doses in 2014 after new research showed that two doses provided as much protection as three for this age group.
Live attenuated vaccines
Inactivated/subunit vaccines
Influenza vaccines
No. If your child missed a dose of vaccine, they do not need to start the whole series over again. Your child can pick up where they left off, regardless of the time that has passed between doses. However, it is best to follow the recommended schedule as closely as possible. This ensures your child is protected as soon as possible.
Yes. Getting an extra dose of vaccine when an immunization history is unknown is not harmful. It is better to ensure protection by getting the vaccine than risk leaving your child unprotected.
For most vaccines, it’s never too late to catch up. There is a catch-up schedule that health care providers use to ensure children are protected as soon as possible.
Appointments are usually needed to get vaccinated; however, some pharmacies provide vaccines on a walk-in basis. It’s best to give your local pharmacy a call to find out.
Anyone who is not eligible for a free HPV vaccine can buy it at most pharmacies and travel clinics. Options for Sexual Health clinics also provide the HPV vaccine in some communities. Find an Options for Sexual Health clinic near you.
Most vaccines in BC (including all vaccines that are routinely recommended in BC) do not require a prescription. However, some insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine and may require a prescription for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider.
Please contact your local health unit to book your child's vaccines and tell them they are homeschooled. Due to the pandemic, health units may not be providing immunization for older children when there is the option of going to a pharmacy. Find info about vaccine schedules.
Please contact your local health unit for information on influenza clinics for young children in your area. You can also use our flu clinic locator to find a list of public health influenza clinics near you. Pharmacists can give seasonal influenza injections (shots) to children ages 5 and older and may give influenza immunizations by intranasal route to children 2 years and older. Please contact your local pharmacy for information regarding immunization services as services can vary.
There is no recommended length of time to wait before getting pregnant after receiving the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccines are not recommended for use in pregnancy because the safety of the vaccines in pregnancy has not been well studied. However, if a pregnant person happens to receive the HPV vaccine, it’s important to know that the vaccine has not been shown to cause any harm to you or the baby. You can finish the series when you are no longer pregnant. The HPV vaccine may be given to breastfeeding women.
If you are planning a pregnancy, it’s recommended that you talk to your health care provider about which vaccines you may need before, during and after pregnancy. Find more information in our pregnancy section.
It’s best to wait at least four weeks after getting an MMR vaccine before getting pregnant because live vaccines like measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) should generally not be given during pregnancy. They have not been proven to be safe for pregnant people and their babies. There is a theoretical risk to the fetus (baby) when the pregnant person receives a live virus vaccine, however, if you received the MMR vaccine before realizing you were pregnant don’t worry too much. Although getting the MMR vaccine during pregnancy is not recommended as a matter of caution, the risks to you and your baby are low and are not a reason to end your pregnancy. If you have further questions, we recommend you speak to your pregnancy care provider.
- Research and development
- Production and manufacturing
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccines
- Hepatitis A vaccines (including TwinrixⓇ) and the travel vaccine VivaximⓇ, which protects against typhoid and hepatitis A)
- Rubella vaccines (given as measles, mumps, rubella and measles, mumps, rubella, varicella)
- One rabies vaccine (ImovaxⓇ Rabies)
- One shingles vaccine (ZostavaxⓇ II)
As of February 1, 2021, Shingrix® vaccine coverage is available at no cost to First Nations Elders who are 65 years old and older. The Shingrix® vaccine can be prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, or from the pharmacist. If you have questions, talk to your community health nurse or go to the FNHA website.
The shingles vaccines are very safe and Shingrix® is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. If you have concerns about your current health conditions or if you have a weakened immune system, you should discuss getting the vaccine with your healthcare provider. People with weakened immune systems may be more likely to have shingles more than once or complications from the disease. Your health care provider will discuss your health and the benefits and risks of getting vaccinated.
The antibodies created after having shingles infection decrease over time; your chances of getting shingles increase as you get older. Having shingles disease once doesn’t protect you from ever having it again. After causing shingles, the herpes zoster virus goes back to sleep inside your nerves; it can still flare up again and cause another outbreak of shingles. The shingles vaccine is recommended one year after having a case of shingles to give longer-lasting protection against the disease and nerve pain. Read more about shingles.
- had shingles disease
- received Zostavax® II
- are not sure if they had chickenpox (varicella) infection
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) happens in one out of five people who get shingles. Those with PHN have severe nerve pain that lasts months to years after the rash has cleared. There should be at least one year between an episode of shingles and the administration of Shingrix®. There is no evidence that the Shingrix® vaccine will have a therapeutic effect for a person with existing zoster (shingles) or post-herpetic neuralgia. Please check with your health care provider regarding the best time for you to receive Shingrix®.
The Canadian Immunization Guide provides a list of ingredients for all approved vaccines in Canada. The product monograph includes vaccine ingredients and is available through Health Canada's Drug Product Database. The shingles vaccines do not contain human or animal cells or tissues. Read more about vaccine ingredients here.
- Cover the rash, avoid touching or scratching the rash and wash your hands often to prevent the spread of the virus.
- Avoid close contact with people until the rash blisters heal (develop crusts).
- It is essential to avoid contact with people at higher risk from chickenpox infection. Higher risk groups include pregnant women, infants, children, or anyone who has never had chickenpox; anyone who is currently ill; anyone with a weak immune system that cannot fight infection (such as someone with HIV infection or diabetes).
- Shingrix® is a series of two doses and costs about $150/dose.
- Zostavax® II is given as one dose and costs about $200.
- Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of the vaccine; check with your provider.
If you buy the vaccine at a travel clinic, a doctor or nurse on-site will be able to vaccinate you. Most pharmacists in B.C. give vaccines. If you want your doctor to vaccinate you, find out if they have a supply of the shingles vaccine. Search for clinics offering shingles vaccination on the Vaccines411 website. Click here to read about why all vaccines in B.C. are not free.
- The Canadian Immunization Guide has a table that lists the ingredients for vaccines used in Canada.
- A list of ingredients in each vaccine can also be found in the vaccine’s product monograph available through Health Canada’s Drug Product Database.
- The ingredients for COVID-19 vaccines can be found on this page of the Government of Canada website (click on the vaccine name).
- These pages do not list ingredient amounts, and it’s important to remember that ingredients in vaccines are in small amounts and are safe in the amounts used.
- The Canadian Immunization Guide has a table that lists the ingredients for vaccines used in Canada.
- A list of ingredients in each vaccine can also be found in the vaccine’s product monograph available through Health Canada’s Drug Product Database.
- The ingredients for COVID-19 vaccines can be found on this page of the Government of Canada website (click on the vaccine name).
- These pages do not list ingredient amounts, and it’s important to remember that ingredients in vaccines are in small amounts and are safe in the amounts used.
- Preservatives prevent germs (bacteria and fungus) from growing in the vial after the first dose has been removed.
- In the body, thimerosal is broken down into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Ethylmercury is different from methylmercury, the type of mercury found in the environment that can cause mercury poisoning.
- Ethylmercury is broken down and leaves the body much more quickly than methylmercury and is much less likely to build up in the body and cause harm. It has a half-life of seven days compared to 50 days for methylmercury. Half life means the amount of time it takes for half of the initial amount to break down.
- Studies have shown that thimerosal, at the levels found in vaccines, is easily eliminated from the body and does not cause neurological problems.
- In Canada, thimerosal is used only in some influenza vaccines provided in multi-dose vials. The amount of thimerosal is not greater than 50 µg per 0.5 mL dose. Thimerosal has not been included in any routine childhood vaccines produced since 2001. It was removed as a precautionary measure to maintain public confidence in vaccines, not because there was evidence that thimerosal in vaccines was dangerous.
- The evidence is clear that thimerosal in vaccines does not cause autism.
- A very small proportion of the population has a severe allergy (hypersensitivity) to thimerosal. For these people, thimerosal-containing vaccines should not be used; instead, single-dose formulations that are thimerosal-free are offered.
- The amount of mercury in a thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine is not more than 25 µg/dose. This is about the same amount as is found in a six-ounce can of Canadian albacore tuna, which has no serving limits and is considered safe to eat.
- Adjuvants enhance the immune response (help the vaccine work better) so that fewer amounts of active ingredients and fewer doses of vaccine are needed.
- The amount of aluminum in vaccines is extremely small and does not pose a health risk.
- Aluminum-containing adjuvants have been used safely in vaccines since the 1930s.
- Because large quantities of aluminum can cause serious neurologic effects in humans, Health Canada regulates the amount of aluminum that can be in vaccines. Health Canada follows standards set by the World Health Organization and allows for no more than 1.25 mg/dose as a safe level in vaccines.
- Aluminum is one of the most plentiful elements and is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and many health products.
- Infants receive more aluminum from their diet in the first six months of life than from vaccines. Infants quickly remove aluminum from their bodies without harmful effects. The ability of the body to remove aluminum accounts for its excellent record of safety. About half of the aluminum from vaccines is eliminated from the body in less than 24 hours, and more than three-quarters is eliminated within two weeks.
- For aluminum to be harmful, people must have kidneys that don’t work well or at all, and they must receive large amounts of aluminum for months or years.
If your child has an allergy to an ingredient in vaccines, talk with your doctor or public health nurse about getting vaccinated. Your doctor or nurse will ask you some questions and decide if it is safe for your child to get vaccinated.
Vaccination records (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history (list) of all the vaccines you or your child have received.
International students (post secondary) who are in BC for a period of 6 months or more qualify for the publicly funded (free) vaccines in the immunization schedule. Find the BC immunization schedules for all ages here.
A BC Services card number (also called a card card or proof of MSP enrollment) is not required to make an immunization appointment at a local health unit. Contact your local health unit to book an immunization appointment here. Immunization appointments at a pharmacy or doctor’s office do require a BC Services card number to offer publicly funded vaccines in the BC immunization schedule.
International students (post secondary) who are here for a period of 6 months or more qualify for the publicly funded (free) vaccines in the immunization schedule. Find the BC immunization schedules for all ages here. If you don’t have your immunization records, your health care provider will decide which vaccines to offer based on your age, health, the BC immunization schedule and other factors. Review our tips for locating immunization records here.
A BC Services card number (also called a card card or proof of MSP enrollment) is not required to make an immunization appointment at a local health unit. Contact your local health unit to book an immunization appointment here. Immunization appointments at a pharmacy or doctor’s office do require a BC Services card number to offer publicly funded vaccines. Depending on your age, health and other risk factors, you may be eligible for the annual influenza vaccine (flu shot) or HPV vaccine series. Read more about who qualifies for the free flu shot here. Read about who qualifies for a free HPV vaccine series here.
If you don’t qualify for the publicly funded (free) vaccines, you may be able to purchase them at travel clinics, pharmacies and some doctors’ offices.
Please read our People new to BC section to help you with this process.
Some holders of study and/or work permits valid for a period of six months or more (including post-secondary international students) may be considered to be BC residents, and they are eligible for publicly funded (free) vaccines. You can find BC’s immunization schedules for adults here.
Some vaccines that are recommended for adults are free for BC residents, and some you need to buy.
If you don’t have health insurance under BC’s Medical Service Plan (MSP), you may have to pay for vaccines given at a doctor’s office or pharmacy. You will not have to pay at your local health unit.
Adults who are not BC residents can pay to be vaccinated at some doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and travel clinics in BC.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine (general)
- Outside Canada and the USA: 1-604-681-4261
- Telephone for the Deaf: Dial 711
- Video Relay Services (VRS) sign language interpretation is available and free for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired.
COVID-19 vaccine schedules & timing (general)
Yes, you can have TB screening done anytime before or after your COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and third doses (general)
- People 70 years of age and older.
- People who live in long-term care (or are awaiting placement in long-term care).
- Indigenous people 55 years of age and older.
- People 70 years of age and older.
- People who live in long-term care (or are awaiting placement in long-term care).
- Indigenous people 55 years of age and older.
Getting a booster dose after having COVID-19
- People 70 years of age and older.
- People who live in long-term care (or are awaiting placement in long-term care).
- Indigenous people 55 years of age and older.
You should get a booster dose even if you've already had COVID-19. The vaccine provides more reliable protection than having COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccination records (general)
Register for Health Gateway, an online website that provides a single place for BC residents to access their health records. By registering for BC's Health Gateway, you will be able to access a digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record. After getting your COVID-19 vaccine, be sure to keep your paper vaccination record in a safe place.
Safety of COVID-19 vaccines (general)
- You have symptoms of COVID-19. Use the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to determine your next steps.
- You have a new illness preventing you from performing your regular activities. You should wait to get vaccinated until you have recovered. This will help to distinguish potential side effects of the vaccine from the worsening of your illness.
- You are recovering from an illness that can spread from person to person, so you’re not putting others at risk of infection when you come for your vaccine. For example, chickenpox can easily spread from person to person, especially to those who are unvaccinated or have never had the disease.
- Advances in science and technology.
- International collaboration among scientists, researchers, health professionals, industry, and governments.
- Increased dedicated funding.
- The three phases of clinical trials overlapped to speed up the process (normally the phases are performed one at a time).
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Health Canada used a fast-tracked process that allowed:
- vaccine manufacturers to submit data as it became available
- experts to start the review process right away
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The mRNA vaccines work by teaching our cells how to make a harmless spike protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The body then makes antibodies to help you fight infection if the COVID-19 virus enters your body.
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Some people are concerned that the spike proteins generated by COVID-19 vaccines can cause harm to the body’s organs or tissues. However, there is no evidence that the vaccine-generated spike proteins cause harm.
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COVID-19 infection, however, can damage many organs and tissues. It is important to focus on the right risk.
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The vaccine-generated spike proteins don't last long in the body; the immune system quickly identifies, attacks, and destroys them.
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Scientists estimate that the spike proteins, like other proteins our bodies create, may stay in the body for up to a few weeks.
- Health Canada explains how mRNA vaccines work on their website.
- On their website, Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center explain where the spike proteins in COVID-19 vaccines go.
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Weakened immune systems. COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines, and there are no significant concerns about safety for those with weakened immune systems. It is possible that the vaccine may not work as expected in people who have a weakened immune system. If you have questions and have a weakened immune system, speak to your healthcare provider about the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Autoimmune diseases. If you have questions and have an autoimmune disease, speak to your healthcare provider or medical specialist.
COVID-19 vaccine side effects (general)
- The history of vaccines shows that delayed effects after vaccination can happen. But when they do, these effects tend to happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine. This is why regulators in Canada and many other countries require at least eight weeks of safety data before approving a vaccine. The vaccines have now been in use for months, with over 9.5 billion doses given worldwide.
- The mRNA vaccines have been in development for many years and have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). In addition, cancer research has used mRNA to trigger the immune system to target specific cancer cells. Decades of studying mRNA vaccines have shown no long-term side effects.
- Canada’s vaccine safety system has proven time and again that the data necessary to get through the approval process is sufficient to prove safety, even for the long term. The end data and safety tests for the mRNA vaccines met the same standards as other vaccines that have been approved in Canada.
COVID-19 vaccine ingredients (general)
Animal and human cell cultures may be used in the process of making mRNA or viral vector COVID-19 vaccines, but the vaccines do not contain animal or human cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all of the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine.
- Watch this video as Dr. Ayesha Raza, Family Physician and Women’s Health Specialist at the Centre Francophone de Toronto, explains that the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada do not contain pork or pork products.
- Watch this video as Dr. Ayesha Raza, Family Physician and Women’s Health Specialist at the Centre Francophone de Toronto, explains that, yes, COVID-19 vaccines are considered Halal.
- Pfizer-BioNTech (ComirnatyTM) vaccine
- Moderna (SpikevaxTM) vaccine
- AstraZeneca (VaxzevriaTM) vaccine
- Johnson & Johnson (JanssenTM) vaccine
- Verity/SII (CovishieldTM) vaccine
- Novavax (NuvaxovidTM) vaccine
- Medicago (CovifenzTM) vaccine
- Fetal cell lines were used to make the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine and the AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine.
- Fetal cell lines were not used to make the Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. However, the cell lines were used in the very early stages of research and development of these vaccines to test 'proof of concept’ (to test that the vaccines could work).
- The AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccine uses the HEK 293 fetal cell line, and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine uses the PER.C6 fetal cell line. However, the vaccines themselves do not contain fetal cells or tissue. The purification process removes nearly all the cell components so that only trace amounts of DNA and protein may be present in the vaccine.
- The Moderna (Spikevax) and Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccines used the fetal cell line HEK 293 in the very early stages of research and development. It was not used to make these vaccines.
- The HEK 293 and PER.C6 fetal cell lines descend from cells taken from fetuses aborted in the 1970s and 1980s. The fetuses were not aborted to make vaccines.
Fetal cell lines are used with some vaccines because viruses need to be grown in cells and human cells are often better than animal cells at supporting the growth of human viruses.
- Research and development
- Production and manufacturing
What does the Catholic church say about the use of fetal cell lines in vaccines?
- Infectious disease expert James Lawler, MD, MPH answers the question: “Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain aborted fetal cells?”
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website.
- History of Vaccines website.
COVID-19 vaccines and allergies (general)
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have had anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) with an unknown cause.
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Tell your healthcare provider if you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is in both the Moderna (SpikevaxTM) and Pfizer-BioNTech (ComirnatyTM) COVID-19 vaccines.
- Polysorbate 80, which is in the AstraZeneca (VaxzevriaTM), CovishieldTM, Johnson & Johnson (JanssenTM) and Novavax (NuvaxovidTM) vaccines.
Depending on your allergy history, your immunization providers may require you to wait for a longer period of time (30 minutes or more) after getting the vaccine.
- Consult with an allergist or other appropriate physician before re-vaccination.
- If you are being re-vaccinated, the vaccine should be given in a setting with expertise and equipment to manage anaphylaxis. All public health clinics are equipped.
- You should be observed for at least 30 minutes after re-vaccination.
COVID-19 vaccination & pregnancy & breastfeeding (general)
Pregnancy is a higher risk time for complications from COVID-19 infection, and pregnant people are more likely to be hospitalized and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) than people their age that are not pregnant.
While it is generally recommended that people get their booster dose 6 months after their second dose (to strengthen and provide longer protection against COVID-19), pregnant people are able to get their booster dose as early as 8 weeks after their second dose. This is because there is a limited amount of time to provide protection during pregnancy and it is important for pregnant people to receive their booster during pregnancy to ensure optimal protection for them and their baby.
Getting the booster dose while pregnant is ideal because serious illness during pregnancy can put both the pregnant person and the unborn baby at risk and may lead to premature birth, still birth, or Cesarean section. COVID-19 immunization during pregnancy is safe for the pregnant person and for the unborn baby. Evidence from around the world continues to grow and has not found any safety concerns for pregnant people who were vaccinated or for their babies.
In addition to protecting the pregnant person, the antibodies (protection) from the pregnant person are transferred to the unborn baby. This provides ‘passive immunity’ to the newborn, which may reduce the risk of infection for the infant during their first several months of life.
To receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster 8 weeks after their second dose, pregnant people will need to call the central call line (1-833-838-2323), and tell them they are pregnant to book their appointment.
The Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists states that the COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility, and there is no scientific reason to believe that they will cause infertility. Recent studies have shown that they do not affect fertility. In fact, getting the COVID-19 vaccine before getting pregnant may protect you and your future baby from the harms of COVID-19 in pregnancy.
Several recent small studies have shown that antibodies can be passed to infants through breastfeeding. Getting vaccinated while breastfeeding not only protects the parent but could also protect the baby too. However, whether antibodies passed by a vaccinated or an infected parent give a child sufficient protection, and whether that protection lasts, are questions that still need to be answered.
Unsure about immunizing your child for COVID-19? Vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 and the vaccine is safe. Listen to our @BCChildrensHosp infectious disease expert explain more about mRNA. pic.twitter.com/d8kPd7Vlh3
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) February 2, 2022
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (general)
Read more about BC vaccine effectiveness on the BCCDC website.
Monitoring and research on the new COVID-19 variants continues. For more information, check out this page on the BCCDC website.
Other questions about COVID-19 vaccines (general)
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine (youth)
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty™) COVID-19 vaccine
- Moderna (Spikevax™) COVID-19 vaccine
Hear from people in B.C.:
When asked by a HCW at the immunization clinic how his first dose went, my 13yo responded with “Epic. Absolutely poggers experience.”
And that should tell you everything you need. Huge thanks to all of the @Fraserhealth staff at the ND Rec Centre in @CityofDeltaBC! pic.twitter.com/yNALkvg59G
— Lydia Elder (@lydiaelder) May 26, 2021
CARD System
Risks of COVID-19 infection and benefits of vaccination (youth)
- Develop a serious but rare condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C is caused by an exaggerated immune response, leading to severe widespread inflammation, and can happen several weeks after infection.
- Continue to feel sick weeks or months after the initial illness. This is called Post-COVID-19 condition or “long COVID”. Early studies suggest that "long COVID" is less common in children and young people than adults.
- Vaccination reduces the risk of children and youth getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, including more vulnerable family and community members.
- Vaccination is very important, even for those who have previously been infected with COVID-19. While infection alone provides some protection, vaccination after infection helps improve the immune response and may provide better and longer-lasting protection against current and future variants of the virus.
- Early in the pandemic, children and teens were not often identified as spreaders of COVID-19. However, this was mostly because schools and activities were closed or not held in person.
- Since things have opened up again, outbreaks among teens at camps, sporting events, and schools show that teens spread COVID-19.
- Further, studies that looked at the risk of children and teens spreading COVID-19 to others in their households showed that they do spread the virus.
- Children and teens can spread COVID-19 to others when they do not have symptoms.
- Protect family members, including siblings who are too young to get vaccinated and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if infected.
- Reduce the spread of the virus in the community. This helps protect people who are most at risk of getting really sick from COVID-19, such as the elderly.
- Reduce the risk of new variants of concern appearing. We don’t know if there will eventually be a variant of concern that causes more serious illness in children and youth.
- Give youth an added layer of protection in school or while participating in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
COVID-19 vaccine safety (youth)
- Pain, redness, swelling and itchiness where the vaccine was given.
- More general symptoms, such as tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness, swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, nausea and vomiting.
- In very rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer lining) can occur. Most people recover quickly. The risk of heart complications, including myocarditis, is much greater after COVID-19 infection than after vaccination. Read more: Can mRNA vaccines cause inflammation of the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis)?
- A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) can happen after any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine, but this is rare and happens in about one in a million people. Should this reaction occur, healthcare providers are prepared to treat it.
- The mRNA vaccines work by teaching our cells how to make a harmless spike protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The body then makes antibodies to help you fight infection if the COVID-19 virus enters your body.
- Some people are concerned that the spike proteins generated by COVID-19 vaccines can cause harm to the body’s organs or tissues. However, there is no evidence that the vaccine-generated spike proteins cause harm.
- COVID-19 infection, however, can damage many organs and tissues. It is important to focus on the right risk.
- The vaccine-generated spike proteins don't last long in the body; the immune system quickly identifies, attacks, and destroys them.
- Scientists estimate that the spike proteins, like other proteins our bodies create, may stay in the body for up to a few weeks.
- Health Canada explains how mRNA vaccines work on their website.
- On their website, Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center explain where the spike proteins in COVID-19 vaccines go.
They have occurred more often in young adults and adolescent males (12-29 years of age), and after the second dose. The available short-term follow-up data shows that the majority of affected people, even if hospitalized, experience relatively mild illness, respond well to conservative treatment, and recover quickly. It's important to note that the risk of heart complications, including myocarditis, is much greater following COVID-19 infection than following vaccination.
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The history of vaccines shows that delayed effects after vaccination can happen. But when they do, these effects tend to happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine. This is why regulators in Canada and many other countries require at least eight weeks of safety data before approving a vaccine. The vaccines have now been in use for months, with over 2.7 billion doses given worldwide.
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This is not new vaccine technology. The mRNA vaccines have been in development for many years and have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). In addition, cancer research has used mRNA to trigger the immune system to target specific cancer cells. Years of studying mRNA vaccines has shown no long-term side effects.
- Canada’s vaccine safety system has proven time and again that the data necessary to get through the approval process is sufficient to prove safety, even for the long term. The end data and safety tests for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines met the same standards as other vaccines that have been approved in Canada.
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Location – mRNA is active in the cytoplasm of a cell, whereas DNA is protected in the cell’s nucleus. The mRNA CANNOT enter the nucleus, so the two nucleic acids are never in the same place in the cell.
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Process – mRNA is not DNA. So, if a person’s DNA were going to be altered, the RNA would have to be made into DNA. This would require a special enzyme that exists only in some viruses. Coronaviruses are not one of them, as they have only single-stranded RNA. This means that when they enter into a cell’s cytoplasm, they don’t need to be translated. Proteins (like the spike protein) can be made directly from the RNA.
- Stability — mRNA is not very stable. Its half-life in human cells is estimated in hours. For purposes of mRNA-based therapies, modifications have been developed to keep the molecule in cells long enough to allow for the therapy to be successful. But even with this, the mRNA will not lead to protein production for more than 10-14 days.
COVID-19 vaccine & reproductive health (youth)
COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility, and there is no scientific reason to believe that they will cause infertility. Recent studies have shown that they do not impact fertility.
In response to the online rumours suggesting that COVID-19 vaccination may affect future fertility, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada released a statement.
Informed consent and COVID-19 vaccination (youth)
- Name of the parent/guardian
- Name and date of birth of the child or youth
- Name of the individual given authority to consent
- Date and signature of the parent/guardian who has given their authority to another individual
Other questions about COVID-19 vaccines (youth)
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine (children)
Health Canada has approved two mRNA vaccines specially made for children with a smaller dose than the mRNA vaccines for those 12 years of age and older.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine is approved for children ages five to 11.
- The Moderna Spikevax vaccine is approved for children ages six to 11.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is preferred for children five to 11 years old. This is because more data is available from the real-world use of this vaccine. Millions of children have safely received this vaccine in Canada and worldwide. The Moderna vaccine may be offered to children six to 11 years of age as an alternative. If you want to get your child vaccinated with Moderna, you must tell the clinic when you arrive. Supply is limited, and the Moderna vaccine may not be available at your clinic.
- Most children should get two doses of an mRNA vaccine about eight weeks apart.
- Three doses are recommended for some children who are moderately to severely immunosuppressed. Learn more about who is eligible to receive a third dose.
Click here to register your children with the Get Vaccinated system. After you register, you will receive a text, email, or phone call when it's your turn to book a vaccine appointment. After you register, you will receive a text, email, or phone call when it's your turn to book a vaccine appointment.
Hear from people in B.C.:
CARDTM System
Hear from people in B.C.:
Hear from people in B.C.:
Just had my 7-year-old’s #COVID19 vaccine booked!!!
Vaccination helps. We need to do this together. Some tips to help your child prepare:
Inform your child close to the day.
Encourage them to ask questions and share your own experience.
More: https://t.co/TsbjdQBAKo pic.twitter.com/pJ5uogo8mx
— Kᴀᴛʀɪɴᴀ Cʜᴇɴ (@KatrinaCBurnaby) November 29, 2021
You can register your child to get vaccinated with the Get Vaccinated System. You can register online or by phone. After you register, you will receive a text, email, or phone call when it's your turn to book a vaccine appointment.
Hear from people in B.C.:
Hear from people in B.C.:
Explain that the vaccine helps make sure they don’t get sick by quickly fighting off the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccine is so powerful that it even helps to protect the people around them, including their family and friends. Kids Boost Immunity has videos that explain more.
Hear from people in B.C.:
COVID-19 vaccine dose & schedule (children)
A child who starts their COVID-19 vaccine series at 11 and turns 12 before their second dose should get the 30 mcg formulation approved for people 12 years and up for their second dose. If the child receives the pediatric vaccine (10 mcg formulation) for their second dose, it would be considered valid, and the series would be complete.
No. Children aged five to 11 will get a smaller dose. The smaller dose works well because children have stronger immune responses than youth and adults. This means they can get a similar level of protection with a smaller dose. The smaller dose may also mean a lower frequency of common reactions, such as redness and swelling at the injection site.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty™) mRNA vaccine used for children aged five to 11 has 10 micrograms of mRNA. The vaccine used for youth and adults has 30 micrograms.
- The Moderna (Spikevax™) mRNA vaccine used for children aged six to 11 has 50 micrograms of mRNA. The vaccine used for youth and adults has 100 micrograms.
The eight-week interval in youth and adults has resulted in a stronger immune response, better protection against COVID-19 infection, and lower risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart). It is expected that it will be the same for 5 to 11-year-olds. In BC, the preferred interval between dose one and two is eight weeks for both mRNA vaccines for children.
Hear from people in B.C.:
Double Vaxx'd kids
Boosted Adults
Grateful - Privileged- Thankful pic.twitter.com/MI0ueQUfU3
— Shylah Hamilton (@Shylahrae) February 2, 2022
Most children aged 5 to 11 should get two doses of the vaccine about 8 weeks apart. Children in this age group who are moderately to severely immunosuppressed should receive a 3-dose primary series. Learn more about who is eligible to receive a third dose. A booster dose for this age group is not yet recommended.
Hear from people in B.C.:
No. Vaccine doses are based on age, not a child’s size or weight.
Risks of COVID-19 infection & benefits of vaccination (children)
- obesity
- chronic lung disease
- congenital heart disease
- epilepsy
- neurodevelopmental disorders, including trisomy 21
In this video, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses severe COVID-19 infection in children.
Children get less sick from COVID-19 than adults – but, rarely, they can get quite sick. Kids who were otherwise previously healthy have also had severe COVID-19. Listen to why our BC Children’s Hospital infectious disease specialist recommends children be vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/22k0hpPRia
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) February 23, 2022
- Protect family members, including siblings too young to get vaccinated and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if infected.
- Reduce the spread of the virus in the community. This helps protect people most at risk of getting sick from COVID-19, such as the elderly.
- Reduce the risk of new variants of concern appearing. We don’t know if there will eventually be a variant of concern that causes more serious illness in children.
- Give children an added layer of protection in school or participating in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
In this video, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on children and how vaccination can help.
Vaccinating children not only helps to prevent serious illness from COVID-19, but it also protects people around children, like grandparents, and benefits kids’ mental health too. Listen to our @BCChildrensHosp physician explain what he’s seen. pic.twitter.com/Xi8LQ0VRfU
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) March 9, 2022
- Develop a serious but rare condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C is caused by an exaggerated immune response, leading to severe widespread inflammation, and can happen several weeks after infection.
- Continue to feel sick weeks or months after the initial illness. This is called Post-COVID-19 condition or “long COVID”. Early studies suggest that "long COVID" is less common in children and young people than adults.
- Vaccination reduces the risk of children getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others, including more vulnerable family and community members.
- Vaccination is very important, even for those who have previously been infected with COVID-19. While infection alone provides some protection, vaccination after infection helps improve the immune response and may provide better and longer-lasting protection against current and future variants of the virus.
In this video, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses severe COVID-19 infection in children.
Children get less sick from COVID-19 than adults – but, rarely, they can get quite sick. Kids who were otherwise previously healthy have also had severe COVID-19. Listen to why our BC Children’s Hospital infectious disease specialist recommends children be vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/22k0hpPRia
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) February 23, 2022
- Early in the pandemic, children and teens were not often identified as spreaders of COVID-19. However, this was mostly because schools and activities were closed or not held in person.
- Since things have opened up again, outbreaks among teens at camps, sporting events, and schools show that teens spread COVID-19.
- Further, studies that looked at the risk of children and teens spreading COVID-19 to others in their households showed that they do spread the virus.
- Children and teens can spread COVID-19 to others when they do not have symptoms.
COVID-19 vaccine safety (children)
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was tested in children 5 to 11 years of age.
- The Moderna vaccine was tested in children 6 to 11 years of age.
- No safety issues were detected.
- The vaccines were shown to provide very good protection against COVID-19 in the 2 months after vaccination.
- Is safe.
- Is effective against severe outcomes.
- Has known and potential risks that can be treated.
- Serious side effects continue to be very rare.
- Vaccine side effects were common but mostly mild and brief and included things like pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache (mild side effects are a normal sign the body is building protection).
- Cases of myocarditis appear to be rare among children in this age group; there were 11 verified reports of myocarditis after over 8 million vaccine doses were administered, and of these 11 children, all had recovered or were recovering at the time of the report.
In this video, Dr. Julia Orkin, pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto & Medical Lead for the SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service, answers the question: How can anyone be sure a vaccine developed so quickly is safe?
In the video below, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses how mRNA vaccines have been researched for decades.
Unsure about immunizing your child for COVID-19? Vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 and the vaccine is safe. Listen to our @BCChildrensHosp infectious disease expert explain more about mRNA. pic.twitter.com/d8kPd7Vlh3
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) February 2, 2022
Hear from people in B.C.:
- Pain, redness, swelling and itchiness where the vaccine was given.
- More general symptoms, such as tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness, swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, nausea and vomiting.
- Vaccine side effects were common but mostly mild and brief and included things like pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache.
- Serious problems after vaccination were extremely rare.
In this video, Dr. Julia Orkin, pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto & Medical Lead for the SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service, answers the question: What are the most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children?
In this video, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses how there has been no concern around significant adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in children ages 5-11.
NACI is recommending the #COVID19 vaccine should be offered to #children ages 5-11. Listen to a @BCChildrensHosp expert speak on the safety of #vaccines in this video and watch him speak at the @ScienceUpFirst town hall tomorrow 5pm PT: https://t.co/nApICX2oUf pic.twitter.com/vKvXYbyMud
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) January 26, 2022
- In Canada, this has occurred at a rate of about 3 cases per 100,000 doses of Moderna vaccine and 1.9 cases per 100,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- The risk of myocarditis is much greater following COVID-19 infection than following vaccination.
- The majority of affected people, even if hospitalized, have experienced relatively mild illness, responded well to conservative treatment, and recovered quickly.
- Most commonly in adolescents and young adults (12 to 30 years of age).
- Most often after the second dose.
- More often in males than females.
- More often after the Moderna vaccine than the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
- Cases of myocarditis following vaccination appear to be rare among children 5 to 11 years of age.
- There were 11 verified reports of myocarditis after over 8 million vaccine doses were administered.
- Of these 11 children, all had recovered or were recovering at the time of the report.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling of a rapid or abnormal heart rhythm.
The two pediatric mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years of age were shown to be safe in clinical trials. We also have real-world data as millions of children have safely received the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA Vaccine. Vaccine safety monitoring shows that:
- The mRNA pediatric vaccines are safe.
- Side effects are mostly mild.
- Serious side effects are rare.
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A vaccine’s safety is continuously monitored after approval through the reporting of adverse events (an adverse event is an unexpected medical event that happens after vaccination that may or may not have been caused by the vaccine).
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A report of a death or other adverse event following vaccination does not mean that the vaccine caused it.
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All reports of adverse events are investigated to determine if the event was caused by the vaccine or by something else that happened around the same time the vaccine was given.
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The reporting of adverse events helps keep vaccines safe and helps ensure that the benefits continue to outweigh any risks.
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For a vaccination program to continue, the benefits of the vaccine must outweigh any known or potential risks.
Learn more about how vaccine safety is monitored.
In the video below, BC Children’s Hospital Infectious Disease Pediatric Physician Dr. Manish Sadarangani discusses how there has been no concern around significant adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in children ages 5-11.
NACI is recommending the #COVID19 vaccine should be offered to #children ages 5-11. Listen to a @BCChildrensHosp expert speak on the safety of #vaccines in this video and watch him speak at the @ScienceUpFirst town hall tomorrow 5pm PT: https://t.co/nApICX2oUf pic.twitter.com/vKvXYbyMud
— BC Children's Hospital (@BCChildrensHosp) January 26, 2022
In this video, Dr. Julia Orkin, pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto & Medical Lead for the SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service, answers the question: What are the most common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in children?
- The mRNA vaccines work by teaching our cells how to make a harmless spike protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The body then makes antibodies to help you fight infection if the COVID-19 virus enters your body.
- Some people are concerned that the spike proteins generated by COVID-19 vaccines can cause harm to the body’s organs or tissues. However, there is no evidence that the vaccine-generated spike proteins cause harm.
- COVID-19 infection, however, can damage many organs and tissues. It is important to focus on the right risk.
- The vaccine-generated spike proteins don't last long in the body; the immune system quickly identifies, attacks, and destroys them.
- Scientists estimate that the spike proteins, like other proteins our bodies create, may stay in the body for up to a few weeks.
- Health Canada explains how mRNA vaccines work.
- Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center explain where the spike proteins in COVID-19 vaccines go and how long they last in the body.
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The history of vaccines shows that delayed effects after vaccination can happen. But when they do, these effects tend to happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine. This is why regulators in Canada and many other countries require at least eight weeks of safety data before approving a vaccine. The vaccines have now been in use for months, with over 2.7 billion doses given worldwide.
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This is not new vaccine technology. The mRNA vaccines have been in development for many years and have been studied before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). In addition, cancer research has used mRNA to trigger the immune system to target specific cancer cells. Years of studying mRNA vaccines has shown no long-term side effects.
- Canada’s vaccine safety system has proven time and again that the data necessary to get through the approval process is sufficient to prove safety, even for the long term. The end data and safety tests for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines met the same standards as other vaccines that have been approved in Canada.
Hear from people in B.C.:
I feel very lucky to have been able to fully vaccinate my kids (8 and 12) against COVID. They had basically no side effects at all from the vaccine… and they are still COVID-free, in February 2022.
There is such peace of mind in knowing I’ve kept them as safe as they can be.
— Jessica Langer, PhD (@DrJessicaLanger) February 3, 2022
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Location – mRNA is active in the cytoplasm of a cell, whereas DNA is protected in the cell’s nucleus. The mRNA CANNOT enter the nucleus, so the two nucleic acids are never in the same place in the cell.
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Process – mRNA is not DNA. So if a person’s DNA were going to be altered, the RNA would have to be made into DNA. This would require a special enzyme that only exists in some viruses. Coronaviruses are not one of them, as they have only single-stranded RNA, which means that when they enter into a cell’s cytoplasm, they don’t need to be translated. Proteins (like the spike protein) can be made directly from the RNA.
- Stability — mRNA is not very stable. Its half-life in human cells is estimated in hours. For purposes of mRNA-based therapies, modifications have been developed to keep the molecule in cells long enough to allow for the therapy to be successful. But even with this, the mRNA will not lead to protein production for more than 10-14 days.
COVID-19 vaccine & reproductive health (children)
COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility, and there is no scientific reason to believe that they will cause infertility. Recent studies have shown that they do not impact fertility.
In response to the online rumours suggesting that COVID-19 vaccination may affect future fertility, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada released a statement.
Informed consent and COVID-19 vaccination (children)
- Name of the parent/guardian
- Name and date of birth of the child
- Name of the individual given authority to consent
- Date and signature of the parent/guardian who has given their authority to another individual
Only one parent or legal guardian is required to give consent. The process for collecting consent may be different depending on the immunization clinic you attend.
Other questions about COVID-19 vaccines (children)
Hear from people in B.C.:
@ImmunizeBC granddaughter happy with her VAX my champ! pic.twitter.com/STBJR4b3Ra
— ron (@ronmierau) February 6, 2022
Getting the influenza vaccine
- Public health clinics
- Pharmacies (pharmacists can immunize people 5 years of age and older with the injectable vaccine and 2 years and older with the nasal spray influenza vaccine)
- Doctors’ offices
- Travel clinics
- Influenza viruses are constantly changing (mutating), so each year the viruses used to make the vaccine change to protect you against the viruses circulating that year.
- Protection from the influenza vaccine can wear off with time, so you need a new one every year to stay protected.
You can contact your local health unit for this information. Ask to speak to a public health nurse.
Influenza vaccines can be given at the same time or any time before or after other vaccines.
Influenza vaccine & people 65+
It is not recommended that anyone receive more than one dose of influenza vaccine in a season except for certain children aged 6 months to 8 years, for whom two doses are recommended if it is their first time receiving an influenza vaccine.
- Any of the available influenza vaccine products are safe and effective.
- Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that any of the available influenza vaccines may be used in people 65 and older and is preferable to remaining unvaccinated.
Adults 65 years of age and older living in long-term care, assisted living facilities, and First Nations communities are considered to be at higher risk of serious illness from influenza and are eligible to receive the Fluzone® High-Dose vaccine for free.
Influenza vaccine & children
You can buy numbing creams and patches at your local pharmacy. You do not need a prescription from your health care provider to buy them. Here is some information about the numbing creams and patches.
Children under 9 need 2 doses of the influenza vaccine the first year they receive it for best protection. The first dose of the influenza vaccine “primes” the immune system but may not result in high levels of protection. So, a second dose is needed to raise their level of protection. The second dose results in the child's immune system producing enough antibodies so they will be able to fight off influenza when they come in contact with it.
Influenza vaccine safety
The inactivated influenza vaccine is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy. Pregnant people, or those intending to become pregnant, should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine, which contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.
People in the second half of pregnancy are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and at higher risk of hospitalization from these complications, especially those in the third trimester. As well, people at any stage of pregnancy who have chronic medical conditions are also at higher risk of serious influenza complications and should be vaccinated.
Visit our pregnancy section to learn more about vaccines and pregnancy.
In general, people with cancer are considered at high risk for serious illness from influenza (the flu) and should get the inactivated influenza (flu) vaccine. However, the type of treatment you receive may affect the timing of when you should get the vaccine. We recommend that you speak with your health care provider about getting vaccinated. As a precaution, people with weakened immune systems should not get the live vaccine.
There is no risk to you or your baby to receive the influenza vaccine (flu shot by injection) while you are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding people should get the flu shot to protect themselves from the flu. Getting vaccinated reduces your risk of getting sick and of passing the influenza on to your baby, thus protecting the baby also. This is especially important for children younger than 6 months old since they are too young to receive the influenza vaccine themselves.
Routine Vaccines
Vaccines are important for the health of breastfeeding people and their babies. In general, most routine vaccines can be safely given if you are breastfeeding. There have been no reported safety concerns related to giving routine vaccines to breastfeeding people or their babies. There is no evidence that immunization during breastfeeding will have a negative impact on the immune response of breastfeeding people and their babies.
Non routine vaccines
There are a few instances when vaccination is not recommended during breastfeeding, which are related to live travel vaccines or vaccines rarely or not used in Canada (yellow fever vaccine, oral typhoid vaccine, BCG vaccine and live replicating smallpox vaccine).
Find more information in our pregnancy section. If you have further questions, we recommend you speak to your primary care provider.
Pregnant people should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine (given by injection). There is good evidence to show the flu shot is safe for pregnant people and their babies. In BC, influenza vaccine may be provided by prenatal care providers including family doctors and midwives, but can also be provided by specialty prenatal care service providers and by community-based pharmacists, or at the local health unit. Read more in our pregnancy section.
Thimerosal is in multi-dose vials only, but the amount of thimerosal in flu vaccines is very low. The ingredients in vaccines have been carefully studied for a long time and are safe in the small amounts used in vaccines. Pregnant people can receive an influenza vaccine with thimerosal unless the person has a systemic allergy to thimerosal. Read more in our safety section.
If you have further questions, we recommend you speak to your pregnancy care provider.
Influenza vaccine & side effects
Influenza vaccine ingredients & allergies
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says that people who are allergic to eggs, including those who have experienced anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergy) after eating eggs, can be safely vaccinated with a full dose of inactivated or live attenuated influenza vaccine. This recommendation is supported by more and more research that shows it is safe to vaccinate people who are allergic to eggs using inactivated or live attenuated influenza vaccines.
- A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Washington/02/2019-like virus
- B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus
Influenza vaccine effectiveness
Other questions about influenza vaccination
The inactivated influenza vaccine cannot give you influenza. This vaccine contains killed influenza viruses that cannot cause infection. The live attenuated influenza vaccine given as a nasal spray contains weakened influenza viruses. Common reactions to the live vaccine include mild symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and fever. These symptoms are less severe than those from influenza infection and last a shorter time. As a precaution, people with weakened immune systems should not get the live vaccine.
Influenza vaccines protect against viruses that cause influenza, often called the flu. The vaccine does not protect against other viruses or bacteria that cause colds or stomach flu. Influenza is an infection of the upper airway caused by an influenza A or B virus. It can cause serious illness and sometimes death. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against influenza.
Is it safe to get vaccinated if?
Many people who are immunocompromised can safely receive routine vaccines. Health care providers follow specific schedules and vaccine recommendations for immunocompromised people. Some immunocompromised people may not be able to receive live vaccines except when approved by their primary care provider or specialist.
Individuals may be immunocompromised as a result of a condition they are born with or an illness or medication that weakens their immune system. In general, immunocompromised persons are more susceptible to vaccine-preventable infections and may have severe infections. This makes staying up-to-date with vaccinations especially important.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are immunocompromised.
Without a record of vaccination (or proof of immunity to a disease), a person is considered unvaccinated and unprotected and should generally be vaccinated (or revaccinated) to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines.
Do vaccines cause that?
- There is no evidence that vaccines cause health problems such as autism, asthma, SIDS, or autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis.
- We learn about a vaccine’s safety during clinical trials before it is approved and monitor it’s safety continually as millions of doses are administered after its approval.
- We’ve been monitoring the safety of vaccines for more than 50 years and we can say that the chance a vaccine will cause unexpected long-term health problems is extremely low.
- Many large studies have found that vaccines do NOT cause autism.
- A number of credible studies have compared the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated children over many years. They have found that unvaccinated children were just as likely to develop autism as vaccinated children.
- It is not known exactly why some children develop autism; current research suggests that both genetics and environment likely play a role.
- Because children with autism are often diagnosed after the age when they receive some vaccines, this has led some people to think that vaccines cause autism. But just because one thing happens after another, it does not mean there is a link between them.
- Much of the controversy around a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism came from a single small study published in 1998.
- The study was found to be fraudulent and was withdrawn by the journal that published it.
- Many large, high-quality scientific studies around the world have since taken place and have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. A summary of several of these studies and their conclusions is available at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4026.pdf.
- In 1999, a news program in the US aired a story claiming that the hepatitis B vaccine caused SIDS.
- At the time of the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine for routine use in all infants, about 5,000 children died every year from SIDS.
- Within 10 years of the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine the use of the vaccine increased to about 90 percent of all infants receiving hepatitis B vaccine and the incidence of SIDS in that age group decreased dramatically to about 1,600 cases each year.
- The cause of the decrease in SIDS cases was attributed to the introduction of the “Back to Sleep” program by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- However, since immunizations are given to about 90 percent of children less than 1 year of age, and about 1,600 cases of SIDS occur every year, it would be expected, statistically, that every year about 50 cases of SIDS will occur within 24 hours of receipt of a vaccine.
Several large studies have looked at the risk of developing asthma following receipt of a number of different childhood vaccines. Vaccines were not shown to cause asthma or allergic diseases.
- Several studies have shown that vaccines are not associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes.
- Several studies have been done that have found no evidence that vaccines cause MS or flare-ups of MS.
- Every day, a healthy infant’s immune system successfully fights off millions of germs (antigens) they come across in their surroundings.
- Vaccines contain only a tiny fraction of the antigens (germs) that infants come across every day.
- Infants are born with thousands of antibodies that provide protection. They are ready to fight against many different diseases. They are also born with the immune cells that are needed to make antibodies in response to getting many vaccines at one time.
- Theoretically, infants have the capacity to produce one billion antibodies. So, it is estimated that they could handle up to 10,000 vaccines at any one time.
- Vaccines do not overwhelm or weaken a child’s immune system. Instead, they make it stronger by providing protection against diseases.
- Even combination vaccines, which protect against multiple diseases, are easy for your child’s immune system to handle.
Vaccine side effects & reactions
- Vaccine side effects are usually minor, such as a sore arm or mild fever, and go away within a few days.
- Many people have no side effects at all.
- Serious side effects are very rare.
- The risks from the diseases that vaccines prevent are much greater than the risk of vaccine side effects.
- On our vaccine side effects page.
- The vaccine HealthLinkBC Files, which are linked to in BC’s routine immunization schedules.
- Our Vaccines by Disease section.
- The Canadian Immunization Guide’s active vaccines sections.
- The vaccine HealthLinkBC Files, which are linked to in BC’s routine immunization schedules.
- Our Vaccines by Disease section.
- The Canadian Immunization Guide’s active vaccines sections.
- Contact the health care provider who gave the vaccine to report the reaction.
- Contact your local health unit if you don't know who gave the vaccine. Ask to speak with a nurse.
- If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Contact the health care provider that gave the vaccine to report the reaction.
- If you don't know who provided the vaccine, you can contact a health unit near you and ask to speak with a nurse.
Most people who have an adverse event (unexpected or serious reaction) following vaccination can safely get vaccinated again. Your health care provider will tell you what is recommended for you or your child.
Other questions about vaccine safety
Combination vaccines take two or more vaccines that could be given by themselves and put them into a single injection so that children can get protection against several diseases with just one shot. Before a combination vaccine is approved for use, studies must show that the combination vaccine is just as safe and effective as each of the individual vaccines given separately. Research shows that the side effects of combination vaccines are similar to those of the individual vaccines given separately. Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, and haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib) vaccine is an example of a combination vaccine.
A specific brand of a vaccine is not recommended over the other. What is important is protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, not the brand of vaccine.
- Vaccines are among the most strictly regulated medical products in Canada.
- All vaccines go through an in-depth testing process and must be shown to be safe and effective before they are approved for use in Canada.
- This process goes through several phases in order to gather all the scientific information necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
- Once a vaccine has been approved for use, and for as long as the vaccine is used, its safety is continuously monitored.
- Canada has one of the best vaccine safety programs in the world.
- The approval process for vaccines is more stringent than most drugs available in Canada.
- It can take up to ten years or longer for a vaccine to be developed, tested, and approved for use by Health Canada. Occasionally, the process can be expedited (happen more quickly) if there is an urgent need for a vaccine (for example, during a pandemic). No safety steps are skipped in these cases, and the vaccine still has to meet all the same safety requirements. An example is COVID-19 vaccines.
- Health Canada only approves a vaccine if it is safe, it works, it meets manufacturing standards, and the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Because vaccines are given to healthy people, including children, they are held to the highest safety standard—even higher than most drugs used for treatment.
- Like any medicine or supplement (including vitamins), vaccines can cause side effects. Usually vaccine side effects are minor, such as a sore arm or mild fever, and go away quickly. Many people who receive vaccines have no side effects at all. Serious side effects are very rare.
- A vaccine’s safety is continuously monitored following its approval.
- Canada has several advanced systems in place (at the local, provincial, and national levels) to carefully monitor the safety of vaccines and detect any safety concerns.
- In the very rare event that a lot (batch) of vaccine results in an unexpected side effect, these systems can ensure that the rest of the lot is not used.
- Only approves vaccines in Canada after a thorough and independent review of the scientific evidence.
- Works with others to monitor vaccines on the market, and can quickly make changes if they identify safety concerns.
- Safety of Vaccines Used for Routine Immunization of US Children: A Systematic Review (Pediatrics, 2014)
- 2012 Institute of Medicine Report: Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality
Yes. Getting more than one vaccine at the same time is safe and ensures you or your children are protected against serious diseases earlier rather than later. Research shows that routine childhood vaccines work just as well when they are given at the same visit as when they are given at separate visits, and that giving these vaccines at the same visit does not carry any extra safety risks.
- Combination vaccines take two or more vaccines that could be given by themselves and put them into a single injection so that children can get protection against several diseases with just one shot.
- The diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib) vaccine, and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are examples of combination vaccines.
- Before a combination vaccine is approved for use, studies must show that the combination vaccine is just as safe and effective as each of the individual vaccines given separately.
- Research shows that the side effects of combination vaccines are similar to those of the individual vaccines given separately.
- The vast majority of side effects are very mild, such as temporary pain and swelling at the injection site.
- Most of the vaccines available in combinations are not available separately. If one component of a vaccine is declined, all other components are also declined. For instance, refusing the measles vaccine means that a child cannot be vaccinated against rubella and mumps, either, because the measles vaccine in Canada is only available in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines.
Getting an extra dose of the routine childhood vaccines is not harmful. Extra doses are often given when a person’s vaccination history is unknown.
Getting the shingles vaccine
The Shingrix® vaccine is given in two doses, at least two to six months apart. The Shingrix® vaccine is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and long-lasting nerve pain (post herpetic neuralgia).
In research studies, immune responses have been shown up to 9 years after immunization. There is no current recommendation for booster doses of either shingles vaccine, which is an area of ongoing research. Read more about shingles.
Why get vaccinated against HPV
- Cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
- Cancers of the penis in men
- Cancers of the anus and mouth and throat in both women and men
You can find a list of people eligible for a free HPV vaccine here. Those not eligible for the free vaccine can purchase the vaccine at most pharmacies and travel clinics. Some private health insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine.
HPV vaccine safety
Extensive research has shown no evidence that the HPV vaccine can cause infertility. In fact, HPV cancers (that the vaccine protects against) can lead to issues with fertility.
The HPV vaccines are not recommended for use in pregnancy because the safety of the vaccines in pregnancy is unknown. However, if a pregnant woman happens to receive the HPV vaccine, it is important to note that the vaccine has not been shown to cause any harm to the baby. The HPV vaccine may be administered to breastfeeding women.
HPV vaccine & sexual health
There is no evidence that being vaccinated against HPV encourages earlier sexual activity. What’s more, a study published in October 2018 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that since the implementation of the school-based HPV vaccination program in B.C., sexual risk behaviours reported by adolescent girls have either reduced or stayed the same. These findings contribute evidence against any association between HPV vaccination and risky sexual behaviours.
The HPV vaccine works best when people are vaccinated before they become sexually active. However, a person should still get the vaccine even if they are already sexually active. This is because they are unlikely to have been exposed to all of the types of HPV contained in the vaccine. The HPV vaccines do not treat HPV infections.
Yes. It is important for women to get regular Pap tests because the HPV vaccine protects against most but not all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.
HPV vaccine schedule
The HPV vaccines are given as either two or three doses over a 6-month period. Children who start a series when they are 9 to 14 years of age need two doses given at least 6 months apart. People who start a series when 15 years of age and older and those with a weakened immune system need three doses.
1. Research shows that preteens have a better immune response to the vaccine than older teens. This means they will be better protected if they are exposed to HPV in the future.
Children getting vaccinated
- at-risk populations (people who are more likely to experience negative health outcomes from the disease)
- vaccine supply
- transmission rates (spread of the disease) in communities
- access in different communities and regions (urban vs. rural communities, who is offering the vaccine etc.)
- the ability to prepare their health systems and health professionals for vaccination as it relates to: storing, delivering, allocating, distributing, administering, monitoring and reporting.
Adults getting vaccinated
- at-risk populations (people who are more likely to experience negative health outcomes from the disease)
- vaccine supply
- transmission rates (spread of the disease) in communities
- access in different communities and regions (urban vs. rural communities, who is offering the vaccine etc.)
- the ability to prepare their health systems and health professionals for vaccination as it relates to: storing, delivering, allocating, distributing, administering, monitoring and reporting.
Finding vaccine records
- Check your home for your paper record of vaccination. Try looking through baby books or other saved documents from your childhood.
- Check with your parents or other caregivers to see if they have a record of your vaccinations.
- Check with your current and previous family doctors. Keep in mind that vaccination records are kept at doctors' offices for a limited time.
- Check with your local health unit if you were vaccinated at your local health unit or in school in BC.
- Check with your pharmacist if you were vaccinated at your local pharmacy.
- Check with your community health nurse if you were vaccinated in a BC First Nations community.
- BC residents can access all their health records in a single place: Health Gateway. It is accessible by anyone 12 and older with the BC Services Card app.
- Check your home for your child's paper record of vaccination. Try looking through baby books or other saved documents. In BC, childhood vaccines are most often recorded in the Child Health Passport.
- Check with your local health unit if your child was vaccinated at the health unit or in school.
- Check with your child's doctor if your child was vaccinated at their doctor's office.
- Check with your pharmacist if your child was vaccinated at your local pharmacy.
- Check with your community health nurse if your child was vaccinated in a First Nations community.
The vaccines you would have been offered as a child depends on where you were born and where you lived during your childhood. If you were vaccinated here in British Columbia, you can find the historical list of all of the vaccine programs within BC in the BCCDC Immunization Manual.
However, without a record of vaccination (or proof of immunity to a disease), a person is considered unvaccinated and unprotected. They should generally be vaccinated (or revaccinated) to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines. Blood tests to determine immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases are not routinely recommended or available for all diseases. Your health care provider can help determine what is best for you.
Child Health Passports are given out by public health, usually during the first contact with public health after the baby is born (for example, a new baby visit) or by mail when there is no in-person contact. If you have not received a Child Health Passport, you can request one from your local health unit.
Moving to BC & vaccine records
- Check your records.
- Tell you if your family is missing any recommended vaccines.
- Give missing vaccines for free that are part of the routine BC immunization schedule.
- It is recommended that you contact your local health unit to report your child's vaccinations.
- A public health nurse will check your child's record and recommend and provide any missing vaccines (vaccine schedules differ between provinces and countries).
- After your child’s record has been checked, the information will be entered into an electronic health record that will be created for your child.
- You can request a copy of your child’s record from your local health unit at any time.
- If your records are in a different language, a public health nurse may be able to help translate them.
If possible, it's advised that you attempt to obtain your child's records from your previous health care provider in the province or country they were vaccinated in.
A child without a record of vaccination, or proof of immunity, is considered unvaccinated and unprotected. In general, it is advised that children without written documentation of vaccination get vaccinated according to the schedule for their current age. Getting extra doses of vaccine is not harmful and ensures protection.
Find tips on locating immunization records.
Please read our People new to BC section to help you with this process.
Immunization programs vary throughout the world based on the vaccine preventable disease risks in that country and other factors. There may be differences in both vaccines offered and vaccine brands. Depending on where you moved from, and the vaccines you or your family have received in the past, you may need other vaccines now that you’ve moved to B.C. This is because vaccine recommendations in B.C. may be different than in your home country.
- Antibody tests are not routinely needed before getting vaccinated in B.C.
- If you’ve lost your immunization records, try contacting your doctor's office or clinic in your home country or province and ask that they send the records to you.
- Without a record of immunization (or proof of immunity to a disease), a person is considered unimmunized and unprotected.
- They should generally be vaccinated (or revaccinated) to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines.
- You can find B.C’s immunization schedules for infants and children, school-age children, and adults here.
Travel vaccines & Adults
TWINRIX®
- For many vaccines, a longer interval between vaccine doses results in higher antibody levels after the series has been completed.
- For most vaccines, antibody levels decline gradually over time. Even months or years later, another vaccine dose can boost antibodies to higher levels.
- The routine TWINRIX® schedule for adults is three vaccine doses over six months (0, 1, 6 month schedule).
- Sometimes, a rapid dose schedule is used when people are about to travel and have less time. It may be given in four doses, with the first dose followed by doses at seven days, 21 to 30 days, and 12 months.
- If you have other questions, please contact a travel vaccination provider.
The combination hepatitis A and B vaccine (TWINRIX®) is not part of BC's publicly-funded (free) vaccination program. It is available for purchase from travel health clinics, most pharmacies and some doctors' offices.
ImmunizeBC does not have a list of vaccine prices, but the TWINRIX® vaccine may cost $80-85 per dose (at least three doses required). The health care provider may also charge a travel consultation or vaccine administration fee. Services and prices vary throughout BC.
Travel vaccines & Children
- review vaccination histories
- make sure the family's BC vaccination schedules are up-to-date
- determine if children can receive any vaccines early
- Your family may need additional travel vaccinations depending on ages, planned travel activities and local conditions. Click here to see the Government of Canada vaccination recommendations by country.
- In general, protection starts to develop after about two weeks of getting a vaccine; however, several factors impact an individuals' response to vaccines.
- Yes, it is safe to give the MMR vaccine as early as six months for babies travelling outside of Canada where measles is of concern or travelling to locations experiencing outbreaks. Babies under six months of age do not receive the MMR vaccine as we don't have vaccine safety information for this age group.
- Two additional doses of the MMR vaccine must be given after 12 months of age to ensure long-lasting protection against measles.
- Children over 12 months of age with one dose of MMR vaccine may be offered a second MMR dose (on an accelerated or earlier schedule) before international travel.
- Contact a travel clinic at least six weeks before travel for vaccination and health recommendations for you and your family. Click here for a list of travel clinics in BC.
- The MMR vaccine is available from your local health unit and some doctors' offices. Services vary across BC. Click here to find the contact information for a health unit.
- Your immunizer can tell you whether your child can receive any of BC’s routine vaccinations before travel.
- We do not have information about vaccination services in other countries. If you are outside of Canada for an extended period, please follow up in that country about childhood vaccinations.
- If your child receives any vaccines internationally, keep the vaccination records and share them with your immunizing health care provider when you return to Canada.
Where to get Travel vaccines & Costs
- Certain vaccines recommended for travel may only be available at travel clinics (for example, the yellow fever vaccine is only available at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres), whereas others (for example, the hepatitis A vaccine) are available for purchase at most pharmacies. Travel vaccines are not publicly funded and do need to be purchased.
- Vaccines that are part of the routine BC vaccination schedule are free and available from health units, pharmacies, and some doctors’ offices.
- It is recommended that a person contact a travel clinic or immunizing healthcare provider (preferably 6 weeks before they travel) to find out which vaccines they need.
Rabies
- Contact your local health unit or call 8-1-1 (anytime day or night) to speak with a nurse.
- A healthcare provider will decide if you need rabies prevention treatment. It is important to begin prevention treatment for rabies as soon as possible.
- You can get the rabies for post-exposure prophylaxis (preventative treatment after potential exposure to the virus) at your local health unit.
- Click here to read more about about rabies and the vaccine.
Once you arrive back in BC, contact your local local health unit right away and tell them you started a rabies vaccines series outside of Canada. Provide any rabies vaccination records or documentation about the animal bite or scratch and treatment to the health unit.
In BC, the rabies vaccine is provided free to those who have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies. Click here to read more about about rabies vaccination.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccines
In BC, the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is available, but a specific brand is not guaranteed. There is not a specific brand of Tdap vaccine that is recommended one over the other. What is important is the protection against three vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines are available at local health units, travel clinics, most pharmacies and some doctors offices. Contact providers in your area to ask about which vaccine brand(s) are available.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine is recommended and provided for free for the following people:
- Students in grade nine. This vaccine dose is a booster for children vaccinated against these diseases at a younger age. Also, people born in 1989 or later who missed their grade nine dose of Tdap are eligible to get one dose for free.
- Pregnant people in every pregnancy, ideally given between 27-32 weeks of gestation to help protect the baby against pertussis (whooping cough) after birth. Read more in our pregnancy section.
- Children seven years of age and older who have not been fully vaccinated.
- Adults or immigrants who have not been vaccinated or whose vaccination history is unknown.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that adults vaccinated in childhood receive one dose of Tdap (a pertussis-containing vaccine) in adulthood. In BC, the tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine is free and, the Tdap vaccine is available for purchase. Contact your local pharmacy or travel clinic to purchase and receive the Tdap vaccine.
The tetanus vaccine is not available on its own (without diphtheria) in BC. The vaccine routinely given to adults as a booster dose is the Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine. The tetanus vaccine is combined so a person can receive protection from several diseases with one injection (shot). Several different vaccines prevent tetanus among infants, children, adolescents and adults.
Adults who were immunized against tetanus and diphtheria when they were younger should get a booster dose of the Td vaccine every ten years. This booster dose strengthens or boosts the immune system to better protect against these diseases. Read more about tetanus.
If you have a serious cut or wound, including punctures, bites, burns or scrapes, it is recommended that you see your healthcare provider immediately for treatment.
Talk to your doctor, vaccinating pharmacist or local health unit about getting a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine as soon as possible if you have a dirty cut or wound and five or more years have passed since your last Td vaccine. Use the health unit finder.
If you have further questions about tetanus or vaccinations, speak with your healthcare provider or call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse at HealthlinkBC.
In BC, the Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) is offered to grade nine students. Check your child's vaccination record to see which vaccine they received last year: Td or Tdap. The nurse providing the vaccine will also review the type of vaccine given and whether another dose is needed.
If they received Td only, Tdap is recommended for pertussis (whooping cough) protection. There is no minimum interval (timing) between a dose of Td and Tdap when Tdap is given for pertussis protection.
If you have further questions, speak with a public health nurse at your local health unit.
Yes, this is normal, as pain at the injection site (where the needle goes into your arm) is one of the most common side effects of receiving the tetanus vaccine. These symptoms usually go away in a few days.
Other common reactions to the Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccine include:
- Redness and swelling at the injection site.
- Fever, headache and muscle soreness may also occur.
After a vaccine, pain and swelling can be managed with cold compresses at the injection site and acetaminophen, if needed. Avoid pressure on the injection site. Too frequent boosters of tetanus-containing vaccines may cause increased pain, swelling and redness at the injection site.
Report serious or unexpected reactions to a health care provider who gave the vaccine. For example:
- Pain, redness, or swelling went past the nearest joint (shoulder or elbow).
- Pain, redness or swelling that lasts for ten days or more.
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious (easily spread) bacterial illness. People who have had whooping cough do have immunity for some time, but it does not provide life-long protection. Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended to protect against whooping cough.
Adults are recommended to have one dose of Tdap vaccine if they have not received a pertussis-containing vaccine in adulthood. The Tdap vaccine is not free for most adults in BC. Vaccines are available to buy from most pharmacies, travel health clinics and some doctors’ offices. Read about what vaccines adults need here.
Adults who were immunized against tetanus and diphtheria (Td) when they were younger should get a booster dose of the Td vaccine every ten years. This booster dose strengthens or boosts the immune system to give better protection against these diseases. Adults who have not been immunized or do not have a record of prior immunization should also get the vaccine.
This vaccine may also be given to people with serious cuts or deep wounds if their last tetanus vaccine was given more than five years ago. If you have a serious cut or wound, including punctures, bites, burns, or scrapes, please see your health care provider immediately for treatment. This is especially important if the wound is dirty.
Find more information on vaccines recommended for adults.
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