Immunizations & Vaccines
Vaccinations protect individuals and our community against preventable illnesses across every stage of life. Below you will find information regarding routine childhood immunizations, adult boosters, seasonal flu shots, and specialized travel medicine.
Childhood Immunizations
Keeping your child’s vaccination schedule up to date is vital for long-term health and school attendance requirements. If your child missed a dose, please schedule an appointment with your family provider or contact your local public health unit.
- 2, 4, and 6 Months: Initial infant routine doses.
- 12 Months: Milestone vaccines must be administered on or after your child’s first birthday.
- 15 and 18 Months: Toddler follow-up doses.
- 4 to 6 Years: Pre-school booster doses.
- Grade 7: School-administered vaccines by Public Health (Meningococcal, Hepatitis B, and HPV). These can also be ordered through your family doctor.
- 14 to 16 Years: Teen booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis).
For complete details, consult Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health or Immunize Canada.
Immunity wanes over time. Adults require a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis booster every 10 years. Additional recommended vaccines for adults include Pneumococcal, Shingles (Herpes Zoster), COVID-19, and annual Influenza doses. Refer to the Ontario Adult Immunization Schedule for details.
Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics
Our seasonal flu clinics operate annually during the autumn and winter months. Getting your flu shot at a local community pharmacy is just as safe and effective as getting it at your primary care clinic.
- Patients Only: Clinics are reserved for registered patients of the East Wellington Family Health Team.
- By Appointment Only: No walk-ins allowed. Book using the scheduling link sent to your registered email or contact clinic administration.
- High-Dose vs. Regular Dose: If the high-dose vaccine is temporarily unavailable for seniors, taking a regular dose in a timely manner is strongly advised over waiting.
- Clinic Safety: Plan to wait 10 minutes post-vaccination for safety observation. If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms on your appointment day, please notify reception before entering.
- External Vaccinations: If you receive your flu shot at a pharmacy or public health site, please notify us so we can update your official health records.
Travel Vaccinations
Travel immunization consultations and travel-specific vaccines (e.g., Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Japanese Encephalitis) are not provided by our family medicine clinic. They must be obtained through dedicated travel medicine clinics.
To find a certified travel clinic near you, visit the Waterloo Wellington Healthline Directory.
Diagnostic & Support Services
TB (Tuberculosis) Skin Testing
If you require a two-step or routine TB skin test for employment, education, or licensing, please contact your local Public Health Unit or a commercial walk-in clinic, as routine employment screening is handled externally.
Vaccine Questions? (SHN VaxFacts)
If you have questions about vaccine safety, underlying health interactions, or pediatric schedules, the Scarborough Health Network VaxFacts Clinic offers free, qualified telephone consultations with healthcare providers. Translation is available in over 200 languages.