Why schedules exist
Immunization schedules balance when children are most vulnerable to disease and when vaccines produce the best immune response. Ontario’s routine program is updated as evidence evolves—your clinic’s records should reflect current products and intervals.
Keep a paper or digital card
Photograph vaccine receipts after each visit. Schools and camps may request documentation; travel can require proof of measles protection.
Catch-up is common
Families move, babies are premature, or illness delays a visit—catch-up schedules are safe and effective. Ask your clinician for a printed plan.
Questions parents can ask
“What vaccines are due today?” “What side effects should I expect?” “When is the next appointment?” Trusted background reading: Caring for Kids from the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Pain management
Breastfeeding, sugar solution for infants, or distraction techniques reduce injection distress—ask what your clinic recommends.
When to call after vaccines
Most reactions are mild. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, widespread hives, or unusual lethargy.
Written by Dr. Payman Shahabi
Head of Family Medicine
Dr. Payman Shahabi, MD, PhD, CCFP, leads family medicine at Trita. He is a family physician and hospitalist, faculty in the Department of Family Medicine at McGill University, with a PhD in personalized medicine and pharmacogenetics and residency training at Université Laval. His practice emphasizes continuity, prevention, and evidence-based care.
