Vaccination

By having your child vaccinated, you are providing him with the best possible protection against a number of serious diseases.

Photo: Jean-Marc Hébert

When a person gets sick from a germ, their body reacts by naturally producing antibodies to get rid of the germ. It is the immune system. It fights against the thousands of germs present on objects and in food, water, and air.

Vaccines stimulate the immune system. They help your child make his own antibodies against certain diseases without catching the disease himself.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways of protecting your children’s health. It prevents a number of serious illnesses.

All children should receive the recommended vaccines, even healthy children with a good diet. Breastfed children also need to be vaccinated, even though breast milk protects them against some infections.

Vaccines are not only effective, they are very safe. If you have any questions about vaccination, feel free to talk to a health professional or visit the following website: Quebec.ca/vaccination.

Where and when should you get your child vaccinated?

You can get your child vaccinated for free. Depending on your region, you can make an appointment on Clic Santé or book one through your CLSC.

By having your child vaccinated at the recommended age in the vaccination schedule, you are providing him with the best possible protection. The vaccination schedule also applies to premature babies.

Recommended vaccination schedule

The chart below shows the recommended vaccination schedule for children up to two years of age. For more information, visit the “Recommended immunization schedule” section of the following website: Quebec.ca/vaccination.

Recommended vaccination schedule up to age 2

* It may be recommended for some children to receive additional doses of vaccine at 6 months of age.

** It is recommended that your child receive these three vaccines on his first birthday or as soon as possible after this day.

Your child may be given several vaccines for different diseases during the same visit. Administering multiple vaccines in a single visit is recommended because it will protect your child more quickly against infections. This method will not increase the frequency or severity of undesirable side effects to vaccines. It will also reduce the number of vaccination appointments.

Your child will require several doses of certain vaccines in order to produce enough antibodies to fight the disease.

Possible reactions to vaccines

Serious allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare. If such a reaction occurs, it will start within minutes after the vaccination. That’s why you are advised to stay at the vaccination clinic for at least 15 minutes after your child has received the vaccine. If there’s a reaction, the health professional who vaccinates him will be able to treat it immediately.

Vaccines are very safe. Most of the time they cause no undesirable reactions. Sometimes they can cause short‑lived reactions that are not serious, such as a mild fever, redness, or discomfort at the site of the injection.

To reduce redness and discomfort, apply a cold water compress. A small bump may appear, but it’s not dangerous and will disappear within a few weeks.

If your child seems to feel unwell or has a fever after receiving a vaccine, follow the advice you were given at the time of vaccination. In the case of the vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox [MMR-Var], children can come down with a fever 5 to 12 days after the vaccination.

If your child cries abnormally or if you’re worried about him, talk to a health professional or call Info‑Santé (8-1-1).

Today’s vaccines are very well tolerated. It is not suggested that the child be given acetaminophen or ibuprofen before the injection.

Contraindications

There are few cases in which a child cannot be vaccinated. A cold, an ear infection, a runny nose, or the fact that he’s taking antibiotics are not reasons to put off a vaccination.

If your child is ill to the point of being feverish or irritable or crying abnormally, discuss the situation with the health professional.

Vaccination record

This important document is a record of your child’s vaccinations. You must bring it with you to the vaccination appointment. The health professional who vaccinates him will record the dose and date in it.

It’s also worth bringing it along to your child’s medical checkups. It may be used to record the child’s growth (weight and height), as well as other information related to vaccination and your child’s health.

Keep it safe, because it will be useful to your child all his life.

Antibodies: Substances made by the body to fight off disease. Also called immunoglobulins.

Immune system: Organs and mechanisms that allow the body to fight against infections.