Badge guide

Every vaccine on this page is labelled with one or more of these badges, so you can see at a glance what's required, what's funded, and what's recommended.

Required for school Needed for school attendance under ISPA, unless a valid exemption applies.
Partly school-required A combination vaccine where some, but not all, components are ISPA-required.
Publicly funded Provided free of charge if you meet eligibility criteria — not necessarily school-required.
School-based program Typically offered through a school clinic, but not required for attendance.
Routine / recommended Part of Ontario's routine schedule and recommended, though not specifically school-required.
Seasonal Offered annually, typically in the fall.
Risk-based Recommended for specific groups based on health, age, or other risk factors.
Ask your provider Eligibility or need depends on individual circumstances — check with a healthcare provider or public health unit.
Birth Newborn period
Most healthy newborns do not have universal routine vaccines at birth in Ontario. The first scheduled vaccines are typically given starting at 2 months of age. However, special circumstances can apply — for example, if a birthing parent has hepatitis B, a newborn may need a hepatitis B vaccine and/or immune globulin shortly after birth. Eligible infants may also receive an RSV preventive antibody. If you have questions about your specific situation, speak with your healthcare provider before or shortly after your baby is born.

RSV protection for eligible infants

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization is available for eligible infants and high-risk children in Ontario to help protect against severe RSV illness in the first months of life. Eligibility depends on factors like birth timing relative to RSV season and individual risk factors. Learn more about RSV protection →

2 & 4 Months Baby
5-in-1 (DTaP-IPV-Hib)

A combination vaccine given as a single injection.

Protects against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b).

Partly school-required Publicly funded
Pneumococcal conjugate

Protects against a common cause of serious infections in young children.

Protects against: pneumococcal disease, including some types of pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

Routine / recommended Publicly funded
Rotavirus

An oral (liquid) vaccine, not an injection.

Protects against: rotavirus, a common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children.

Routine / recommended Publicly funded
6 Months Baby
5-in-1 (DTaP-IPV-Hib)

Third dose of the same combination vaccine given at 2 and 4 months.

Protects against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Hib.

Partly school-required Publicly funded
Influenza & COVID-19

Annual vaccines offered every fall.

Protects against: seasonal influenza (flu) and COVID-19.

Seasonal

Everyone aged 6 months and older who lives, works, or goes to school in Ontario is eligible for annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines each fall.

12 Months Baby
Pneumococcal conjugate

Booster dose following the earlier infant series.

Protects against: pneumococcal disease, including some types of pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

Routine / recommended Publicly funded
Men-C-C

A single injection given around the first birthday.

Protects against: meningococcal disease caused by serogroup C bacteria, which can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.

Partly school-required Publicly funded
MMR

A combination vaccine given as a single injection.

Protects against: measles, mumps, and rubella.

Required for school Publicly funded
15 Months Toddler
Varicella

A single injection given around 15 months.

Protects against: varicella (chickenpox).

Required for school* Publicly funded

*Required for school attendance specifically for children born in 2010 or later. See School Requirements for details.

18 Months Toddler
5-in-1 (DTaP-IPV-Hib)

Fourth dose of the same combination vaccine series.

Protects against: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Hib.

Partly school-required Publicly funded
4–6 Years Preschool / school entry
Tdap-IPV

A 4-in-1 booster, often given before starting school.

Protects against: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.

Required for school Publicly funded
MMRV

A 4-in-1 booster, often given before starting school.

Protects against: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox).

Required for school* Publicly funded

*The measles, mumps, and rubella components are ISPA-required. The varicella component is required specifically for children born in 2010 or later. See School Requirements.

Grade 7 School-age (around age 12)
Grade 7 is when several important vaccines are offered, usually through school-based clinics run by your local public health unit. These three vaccines are not all treated the same way under Ontario's school attendance rules — see the badges below, and visit School Requirements for the full explanation.
Men-C-ACYW

A booster building on the Men-C-C dose given at 12 months.

Protects against: meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135.

Required for school Publicly funded
Hepatitis B

A 2-dose series given through the school program.

Protects against: hepatitis B, a virus that can cause liver disease.

School-based program Publicly funded

Offered through Ontario's Grade 7 school program and publicly funded, but not currently listed as an ISPA-required disease for school attendance.

HPV

A vaccine series given through the school program.

Protects against: human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to several types of cancer later in life.

School-based program Publicly funded

Offered through Ontario's Grade 7 school program and publicly funded, but not currently listed as an ISPA-required disease for school attendance.

14–16 Years Teen
Tdap

A 3-in-1 booster given in the mid-teen years.

Protects against: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Required for school Publicly funded
Every Fall Annual / seasonal — all ages 6 months+
Everyone aged 6 months and older who lives, works, or goes to school in Ontario is eligible for annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccines each fall. It's safe to receive both at the same visit, and alongside other routine vaccines.
Influenza (flu)

An annual vaccine, ideally received before flu season begins.

Protects against: seasonal influenza, which can cause serious illness, especially in young children.

Seasonal Publicly funded
COVID-19

An annual vaccine, with eligibility for everyone aged 6 months and older.

Protects against: COVID-19.

Seasonal Publicly funded
Risk-Based & Special Situations

Some vaccines are recommended only for children with specific medical conditions, risk factors, or circumstances. These are not part of the routine schedule for every child, but may be free under the publicly funded program if you're eligible.

RSV protection

For eligible infants and high-risk children, to help protect against severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) illness. Learn more about RSV protection →

Additional pneumococcal or meningococcal vaccines

Children with certain medical conditions (such as immune deficiencies, chronic illnesses, or anatomical/functional asplenia) may be eligible for additional doses or different products beyond the routine schedule.

Hepatitis A and travel-related vaccines

If your family is travelling internationally, additional vaccines may be recommended depending on your destination, age, and health status. A travel health clinic or healthcare provider can advise on timing — ideally well before departure.

Children with medical complexity, immune conditions, or significant allergies

Some vaccines (particularly live vaccines like MMR, MMRV, and varicella) require extra care or specialist input for children who are immunocompromised, have had serious reactions to previous vaccines, or have other complex medical histories. Always discuss these situations with your healthcare provider before a scheduled vaccine visit.

Where this information comes from

This page is based on:

Last reviewed: June 2026  ·  Next review due: December 2026
Schedules, products, and eligibility can change. Always confirm current details with your healthcare provider, your local public health unit, or official Ontario sources.

Please note: This is an independent website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Government of Ontario, the Ministry of Health, or any public health unit. The information here is for general education only and is not medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your or your child's immunizations.