• About Immunization
• Vaccines in Manitoba
• Immunization Schedules
• Common Questions
• Immunization Records
• Public Health Offices

Immunization is a way of providing protection against diseases caused by certain viruses or bacteria. Immunizations are also called vaccinations, needles or “shots”. Vaccines help the immune system learn how to recognize and fight the germs that cause diseases.

Why are vaccines important?

Vaccines are known to be very safe and effective. Vaccines help protect kids and adults against serious diseases. Because of vaccines, not many Manitobans and Canadians get sick or die from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccines in Manitoba

Publically funded vaccines are available to residents of Manitoba based on the Manitoba Immunization Schedule. This schedule outlines the routine immunizations recommended for infants, children and adults.

Below are routine, free vaccines that are funded by Manitoba Health.  'Click' on the vaccine title to open PDF of vaccine fact sheet.

DTaP-IPV-Hib  (the 5-in-1 vaccine)

• Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough), polio and haemophilus influenzae type b
• For use in children under age 7 as part of the primary immunization series
• Given at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months of age

Pneumococcal conjugate 13 vaccine

• Protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal bacteria that commonly cause pneumonia and middle ear infections in childhood
• For use in children under the age of 5
• Given at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months of age

MMR vaccine

• Protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles)
• Given at 12  months of age and preschool (2 dose schedule)
• First dose should be given on or after the first birthday
• Recommended for persons born after 1970 (1 dose) 

Meningococcal C-Conjugate Vaccine

• Protects against infection from the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis which can cause infection of the blood (sepsis) or lining of the brain (meningitis)
• Given at 12 months of age or in Grade 4

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine  

• Protects against chickenpox disease.
• For use in persons over 12 months.  Two doses in persons 13 years of age or older
• Given at 12 months of age

DTaP-IPV(the 4-in-1 vaccine)

• Protects against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (whooping cough) and polio
• For use in children under age 7 years
• Given at the preschool visit (4 – 6 years of age)  

Hepatitis B Vaccine

• Protects against hepatitis B virus which causes liver infection
• May be used for all ages
• 3 dose series
• Given in Grade 4

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

• Protects against human papillomavirus which can cause genital warts and cancer of the cervix
• For use in females and males between the ages of 9 and 26 years
• 3 dose series
• Given at no charge to females in Grade 6

Tdap Vaccine

• Protects against tetanua, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (whooping cough)
• For use as a booster in those over the age of 7 years
• Given in Grade 8

Td Vaccine

• Protects against tetanus and diptheria
• For use in persons over the age of 7 years
• Given as an adult booster every 10 years

Influenza Vaccine

• Protects against 3 seasonal strains of influenza which cause infection in the upper respiratory tract
• For use in persons over the age of 6 months
• Given in the fall of each year to select at-risk groups as per Manitoba Health

Pnuemococcal 23 Vaccine

• Protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria that commonly cause pneumonia in adults
• For use in persons over the age of 2 years
• Given free to persons 65 years of age or older, one dose.  No booster required

Immunization After Care Info     

Remember:

• Use the arm normally afterwards.  Resume normal activity.
• Your child may feel no effects after the immunization; some may have minor reactions such as a slight fever or feeling tired.
• If the arm becomes red or tender after the needle, a cold damp cloth or ice pack can feel soothing on the injection site.
• Report any adverse or unexpected reactions to your doctor, public health nurse at your local community health office or Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-925.  

Immunization Information In Other Languages

The Immunization Action Coalition produces vaccination information statements in many languages.  Click on the link below to select vaccine information sheets for up to 50 different languages.  www.immunize.org 

The charts below indicate the vaccines that are provided free to those age groups by Manitoba Health.

People who do not qualify for free vaccines through the provincially funded programs can purchase the vaccines through their physician.

Recommended Immunization for Infants

Note: The flu shot is recommended for anyone wishing to protect themselves from influenza and it is especially important for those at increased risk of serious illness, their caregivers and close contacts. This includes children six months to four years of age and their household contacts such as sisters, brothers and parents. The flu shot is also recommended for people looking after very young children (under six months of age), such as child care workers and grandparents.

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children

Note: The flu shot is available to all Manitobans and is recommended every year for household contacts of children from birth to four years of age, (ex: sisters and brothers, parents). It is also recommended for children with chronic health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

The following tables provide information on what vaccines are recommended and when they should be given, for those who have already been immunized with the childhood vaccines.

Adults who have never had German measles, or have never been immunized against the disease, should get one dose of German measles vaccine.

Common Questions

1. How do vaccines work?

A vaccine is made from a tiny amount of the disease germ (bacteria or virus) that makes your immune system produce certain proteins called “antibodies”. The germ in the vaccine is weakened or killed to ensure the person will not get the disease. When the vaccine is given, the resulting antibodies fight off the disease when a person is exposed to the germ in the future.

2. Are vaccines safe and who monitors vaccines in Canada?

Vaccines used in Canada are very safe. Before a vaccine is approved for use, it undergoes years of research and testing to make sure that it is both safe and effective. The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to monitor all vaccines after they are approved. Serious reactions to vaccines are rare but do occur. Most side effects are mild, such as fever, or tenderness and swelling where the injection is given. Your immunization provider will discuss the benefits, risks and side-effects before giving you or your child a vaccine. It is important to report any unusual or serious vaccine reactions to your doctor, public health nurse or nurse practitioner.

3. Do vaccines weaken or overload the immune system?

No. Vaccines strengthen the immune system. Our bodies come into contact with many kinds of germs every day, through eating, drinking, working and playing. The weakened or killed germs in each vaccine are very few when compared to the millions of germs fought every day by our immune system. Because of advances in vaccine production, the total number of vaccine substances and proteins in each vaccine are fewer today than 40 years ago. In childhood, giving several vaccines at one time keeps children safe by protecting them against more diseases sooner. As an added benefit, it also reduces children's discomfort by reducing the number of injections they receive, and it saves parents the time and expense of additional office visits.

4.  What is thimerosal and is it harmful?

Thimerosal is an effective and safe preservative used in multidose vials of some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs inside the vial. Thimerosal contains ethyl mercury, which is broken down and quickly eliminated from the body. No vaccine made in Canada since March 2001 for routine use in children contains thimerosal, with the exception of the influenza vaccine. DTaP, polio and Hib vaccines have not contained this preservative since 1997-98. The MMR vaccine used in Canada has never contained thimerosal.

5.  Can vaccines cause autism?

Medical researchers and scientists around the world have studied information collected over many years to see whether there is a link between vaccines and autism. Researchers have not found any evidence of a link between vaccines and autism or any other illnesses.  

6.  Are there reasons not to immunize according to the recommended schedule?

There are some reasons people should not receive a particular vaccine. If someone has a life-threatening allergy to any ingredient of the vaccine (for example, an antibiotic) or its container (such as latex) or to a previous dose of the vaccine, they should not receive the vaccine. It is important to inform your immunization provider of any allergies or health conditions that you or your child has before immunization.

Immunization Records

To obtain a Manitoba immunization record, you can contact your local Public Health Office. Immunizations administered to children prior to 1980 or to adults prior to 2000 may not be readily accessible on the Manitoba Immunization Monitoring System (MIMS).

If you have moved to Manitoba from another province or country, it is important to have your immunization records transferred into MIMS. Please contact your local Public Health Office to have your Manitoba immunization record updated.

Public Health Offices