It is important that routine immunizations for children are kept up-to-date to reduce the risk for common and serious childhood infections, such as pneumococcal disease, measles, and pertussis. Ottawa Public Health is working with healthcare partners, including local Community Health Centres and CHEO, to provide an option for children who have not completed their primary series (i.e., 2 to 18-month vaccines in Ontario’s publicly funded routine immunization schedule) AND who DO NOT currently have access to immunizations. Parents of children who fit these criteria can be directed to contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.
For more information about vaccinations during COVID-19, please visit the Ottawa Public Health website.
Routine Vaccines for Infants and Children
Priority vaccinations for infants and children, primary series/ booster doses:
2, 4, and 6-month vaccines:
- Pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae b, polio, pneumococcal and rotavirus
12 and 15-month vaccines:
- Meningococcal, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
18-month vaccines:
- Pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae b, polio
Routine Vaccines for Adolescents and Adults
Most routine vaccines for adolescents and adults, if delayed, can be given at the earliest opportunity.
Seniors
Having individuals attend a clinic setting at this time only for pneumococcal or other vaccines according to the Ontario immunization schedules should be avoided. This is especially true for individuals over 70 years of age who are being advised to self-isolate at this time.
Given that COVID-19 illness and outcomes are more severe for seniors and the virus affects respiratory function, opportunities to complete immunizations according to the Ontario immunization schedules against pneumococcal disease should be taken.
High-Risk Immunization Schedule
Having these individuals attend a clinic setting at this time only for vaccination according to the Ontario immunization schedules should be avoided.
Given that COVID-19 illness and outcomes are more severe for those with certain medical conditions (e.g. immunodeficiency, cardiovascular disease), if health care providers are seeing these individuals for urgent health issues or for other necessary visits, the opportunity to provide immunization according to the Ontario immunization schedules should be considered at the same time.
Health Care Workers
Vaccinations for health care providers and those working in health care settings, such as hepatitis B and MMR, should not be delayed as these groups are at increased risk of exposure to vaccine preventable diseases and transmitting them to others.