Childhood Immunizations
The Prince Edward Island Immunization Program provides safe and effective vaccines that protect Islanders against some communicable diseases known as vaccine preventable diseases.
Over the past 50 years the use of vaccines has prevented life threatening disease, disability, certain cancers and hospitalizations. Immunization provided to the population provides herd immunity, making it difficult for disease to spread from person to person. By getting immunized, you are protecting yourself and those around you who may too young, too old or too sick to be immunized.
How can my family and I get vaccines through the Immunization Program?
Immunization is delivered to children by Health PEI Public Health Nursing offices by appointment or in scheduled visits to schools.
Adults also need vaccines at certain times. You can be immunized at your local Health PEI Public Health Nursing office, your family doctor or nurse practitioner’s office or a pharmacy, depending on the vaccine.
Travel immunizations for adults and children are not free of charge in PEI and are not available at Health PEI Public Health Nursing offices. Islanders are encouraged to contact a travel clinic for immunization as it relates to travel.
Which vaccines are recommended for my child?
Vaccines are given based on the age of your child.
The immunization schedule currently in effect is:
- 2 months DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib & Pneumococcal Conjugate & Rotavirus
- 4 months DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib & Pneumococcal Conjugate & Rotavirus
- 6 months DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib & Rotavirus (High Risk also receive Pneumococcal Conjugate)
- 12 months MMRV & Meningococcal-C-ACYW Conjugate & Pneumococcal Conjugate
- 18 months DTap-IPV-Hib & MMRV
- 4-5 years Tdap-IPV & Varicella (if the child has not had two doses)
- Grade 6 HPV
- Grade 9 Tdap & Meningococcal-C-ACYW Conjugate
- Students entering or in post-secondary school Meningococcal B
Legend
DTaP-HB-IPV-Hib = Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Polio, Haemophilus influenza type B
MMRV = Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German measles), Varicella (Chickenpox)
HPV = Human Papillomavirus
DTap = Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis
IPV = Inactive Polio Virus
Additional Recommended Infant Immunizations/Prevention
- Infants born during RSV season (typically October–April) will receive RSV antibody protection (Beyfortus) before hospital discharge; others entering their first RSV season may be eligible to receive through Public Health Nursing.
How can I find out if my family's vaccinations are up to date?
Call the Health PEI Public Health Nursing office in your area and speak with the Public Health Nurse to determine if your family's vaccinations are up to date. If you moved to PEI from another province or country, your immunizations may have been different. You can have the schedules reviewed by a Public Health Nurse.
How can I receive a written copy of my vaccination record?
Vaccination records can be obtained by contacting the local Health PEI Public Health Nursing office in your area. There is no fee for this service. The application process takes approximately two weeks. Immunization records are also available in MyHealthPEI. You must be 16 years old to have a MyHealthPEI Account.
The CANImmunize free smartphone app allows you to securely manage your families' vaccination records and appointments and is customized to PEI's provincial immunization schedule.
For additional information about immunization please refer to A Parent's Guide to Vaccination or immunize.ca.
What are the most recent childhood immunization rates for children in PEI?
Immunization is an important measure of the health of individuals as well as the overall population. Each year, the Chief Public Health Office prepares immunization coverage reports for the following four indicators:
- Immunization coverage at age 2 years
- Immunization coverage prior to Grade 1 entry
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in Grade 6
- Immunization in Grade 9 for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and meningococcal disease
These reports are used to monitor trends over time and to inform public health interventions, if required.
These reports can now be viewed on the interactive PEI Childhood Immunization Rates webpage.