Vaccines
A vaccine typically contains an ingredient that resembles a pathogen. This ingredient is often made from weakened or killed forms of a pathogen, its toxins, or one of its surface proteins. These forms are not harmful to your health, but rather helps with immunity.
The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. There are two common ways to build immunity.
- You can get infected by a virus, bacteria, and other disease-causing microorganism (pathogen)
- You can receive a dose of a vaccine[AL1]
For more information on Childhood Immunization, and when your child should get them please visit the Ministry of Health Ontario.
Our more common, publicly funded vaccines available at the clinic include:
| Vaccine | Brand Name | Protection against |
| Flu | FluAD Fluzone | Influenza |
| DTaP-IPV-Hib | Pediacel | Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Haemophilus Influenza Type B |
| HZV | Shingrix* (65-70 years old) | Herpes zoster or varicella zoster virus (Shingles) |
| MMRV | ProQuad | Measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella |
| MMR | Priorix | Measles, mumps, and rubella |
| Men-C-C | Menjugate | Meningococcal vaccines |
| Meningococcal Vaccine | Nimenrix | Neisseria meningitis |
Pneu-C-15 Pneu-C-20 | Vaxneuvance Prevnar 20 | Pneumococcal diseases |
Td Tdap Tdap-IPV | Td Absorbed Adacel Adacel-Polio | Tetanus Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio |
| IPV | Imovax Polio | Polio |
| Var | Varivax III | Varicella (chickenpox) |
| Rot-1 | Rotavirus | Rotavirus infection (diarrhea in young children) |
Private Vaccines (patient pay first, most are covered under private insurance plans)
| Vaccine | Brand Name | Protection against |
| Gardasil | Gardasil 9 | HPV |
| Havrix | Hep A | Hep A |
| Engerix-B | Engerix-B | Hep B |
| Twinrix | n/a | Hep A & B |
| Typhim Vi | n/a | Typhoid |
| HZV | Shingrix* | Herpes zoster or varicella zoster virus (Shingles) |
*Shingrix is a private-paid vaccine for patients under 65 or over 70 years of age. It is a government-covered vaccine for patients 65 to 70 years old.
Basic Information about our Vaccines
COVID-19
- What it does: Protects against severe respiratory illness
- When to get it: Get the latest booster at least 2 weeks before travel
- Travel relevance: Recommended for all international travel
Hepatitis A
- What it does: Prevents liver infection from contaminated food or water
- When to get it: Two doses, 6 months apart (can get first dose before trip)
- Travel relevance: Recommended for most international destinations
Hepatitis B
- What it does: Protects against a serious liver infection that can lead to chronic disease
- When to get it: Ideally, start at least 2 months before travel for best protection
- Standard schedule: 3 doses over 6 months (0, 1, and 6 months)
- Accelerated schedule for last-minute travelers: 3 doses over 2 months (0, 1, and 2 months), with a booster at 12 months
- Travel relevance: Recommended for most international travelers, especially if you're heading to areas with higher Hep B rates. Even one dose before you go is better than nothing!
Typhoid Fever (Typhim Vi):
- What it does: Protects against Salmonella typhim bacteria
- When to get it: Single dose at least 2 weeks before travel
- Travel relevance: Recommended for South Asia, Africa, and parts of Central/South America
- Note: There's also an oral vaccine available – discuss options with your doctor
Measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR):
- These childhood diseases can be severe in adults
- Two doses in a lifetime (get a booster if you're unsure)
- Especially important for travel to areas with recent outbreaks
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap):
- Protects against potentially fatal bacterial infections
- Booster every 10 years (get one before your trip if you're due)
- Essential for all travelers, regardless of destination
- Influenza:
- Get annually, ideally before flu season in your destination
Varicella (Chickenpox):
- Who needs it: Adults who haven't had chickenpox or been vaccinated
- When to get it: At least 4-6 weeks before travel (it's a two-dose series)
- Travel relevance: Important if you're traveling to crowded areas or working with children
Polio
- Who needs it: Most adults received this as children, but boosters may be needed
- When to get it: One-time booster for adults if traveling to high-risk areas
- Travel relevance: Essential if visiting countries where polio is still present. Some polio-affected countries may require proof of vaccination for entry or exit
Others
- Vaccines we may need to refer you for:
- Yellow Fever:
- Only available at certified Yellow Fever vaccination centers
- Japanese Encephalitis:
- For those venturing deep into Asia
- Not as common, but important for long-term travelers to certain regions
- We'll help you decide if you need to add this to your vaccine passport
- Rabies: For the wildlife enthusiasts and off-the-beaten-path explorers
- Recommended for those who might get up close and personal with animals
- We'll assess your risk and refer you if needed
- Cholera:
- For aid workers or travelers to areas with active outbreaks
- Not routinely recommended, but we'll let you know if you need it
- Because "cholera" should only be something you read about in history books
- Yellow Fever:
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does a vaccine work?
When the vaccine enters your body, often through injection, your body will recognize it as the pathogen it came from and trigger an immune response to destroy it. Similarly to building natural immunity, your body will remember what it destroyed and how to destroy it quickly in the future.
The pathogen will cause damage to your body until an immune response can destroy it. You will experience symptoms due to the pathogen (e.g., disease, illness, etc.) and your immune response (e.g., fever, fatigue, etc.). After destroying the pathogen, your immune system keeps a record of it so it can recognise and destroy the pathogen quickly if it enters the body again.
What are the benefits of vaccines?
You can receive the protective benefits/immunity against a pathogen without experiencing the adverse symptoms associated with being infected by that pathogen.
Are vaccines safe?
Yes, the vaccines that Grace Health Centre recommends have all been rigorously tested and studied by reliable, international governments and institutions. Every individual is unique and, thus, some individuals may experience unintentional side effects from vaccines; but, generally, vaccines do more good than harm.
What vaccines should I get?
There are various vaccines that Health Canada recommends Canadians get at specific ages. For information on all of those, and more, visit the government of Canada’s Vaccines and Immunizations website.