Vaccine Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where can I get vaccinated, and do I have to pay?

Vaccinations are usually given in doctors' offices and public clinics. Each province and territory decides which vaccines it will provide free of charge to the public.

For childhood vaccines: In some places in Canada, the public health clinics, or CLSCs (Centre local de santé communautaire) in Quebec, give vaccines. In other places in Canada, vaccines are given by nurses or doctors in private offices or in private clinics. Routine childhood vaccines are usually free of charge.

Adult vaccines: If you are an adult, talk to your family doctor or local public health clinic about getting the vaccines you need. Vaccines are given in doctors' offices or public clinics or CLSCs. Certain groups (such as seniors or people with chronic lung diseases) are at higher risk for certain diseases, and they receive vaccines to protect against these diseases (such as the pneumococcal vaccine) free of charge.

Travel vaccines: To get this kind of vaccination to protect yourself against diseases abroad before you travel, you may need to visit a special travel clinic. In most cases, you will need to pay for travel vaccines.

If you want details about any vaccine, call or visit:

• your local public health office or CLSC
• your doctor
• your pharmacist
• your community health centre.

You could also visit the public health Web site in your province or territory:

BC Ministry of Health
Alberta Health and Wellness
Saskatchewan Health
Manitoba Health
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec
New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness
Nova Scotia Department of Health
PEI Department of Health and Social Services
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services
Yukon Department of Health and Social Services
NWT Department of Health and Social Services
Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services

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