School-based immunization

The school-based immunization program is designed to improve the health of young Manitobans by offering free vaccines and facilitating the vaccination process. These vaccines protect your child against serious and contagious diseases.

If your child is in one of the school grades covered by the immunization program, you will receive a letter informing you that he or she could receive one or more vaccines during the school year. The letter will indicate the type of vaccine, vaccination date and dosing frequency. Of course, you will need to provide consent. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccines, possible risks or side effects, we encourage you to contact your primary health care provider, a public health nurse or Health Links-Info Santé (Winnipeg: 204-788-8200,  Manitoba: toll-free 1-888-315-9257).

You can also consult the Canadian Immunization Guide, which includes the vaccine schedule used by the school-based immunization program and by family physicians.

Please note that if your child is in a school grade eligible for immunization, he or she will not normally have received it yet, unless you asked your physician for the vaccine prior to moving or going on a trip. Remember that finding your child’s immunization record can be obtained online by your health care provider. However, we encourage you to keep a record of your child’s vaccinations.

Also, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working to establish the safest and most effective dose(s). This is why the immunization schedule may have changed from year to year. And remember! Toddlers entering kindergarten should receive boosters to increase protection after the first series of vaccines.