The Québec Immunisation Program

• Description
• Eligibility
• Cost
• Procedure

The Québec Immunisation Program aims to improve the population’s health by offering certain vaccines for free. These vaccines protect against specific diseases. The Québec Immunisation Program includes various free and voluntary vaccination programs.

The decision to offer a free vaccine as part of the Immunisation Program depend on analysis of several criteria, including:

• The disease targeted by the vaccine, especially regarding:
  • Its seriousness
  • Its consequences
  • Its frequency
  • The number of people that catch it
  • Population groups affected
• The existence of other methods to prevent the disease
• The effectiveness and safety of the vaccine
• The objectives to achieve, for example, the urgency with which the disease needs to be controlled
• The comparison between costs of the vaccination, and the medical and social costs associated with the disease and its complications
• The vaccine’s acceptance by the public and health professionals
• The availability of human and financial resources
• The availability of the vaccine

The Immunisation Program includes ongoing monitoring and evaluation measures, the application of which allows achieved success to be quantified, problems to be discovered and resolved, and programs to be adjusted as needed.

List of Diseases Covered by the Immunisation Program

The vaccines currently offered in the Québec Immunisation Program protect against the following illnesses:

• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria
• Flu (influenza)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections
• Measles
• Meningococcal infections
• Rotavirus gastroenteritis
• Mumps
• Pneumococcal infections
• Poliomyelitis
• Rubella
• Serious Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections
• Tetanus

Anyone can receive vaccines listed in the recommended immunisation schedule for free.

Some people can also receive other vaccines for free due to their health, lifestyle or work. Consult your doctor or CLSC to find out which vaccines you are eligible to receive for free.

Vaccines covered by the Québec Immunisation Program are given free of charge to eligible persons.

Other vaccines may be recommended. Some of these vaccines are not free.

The procedure to follow in order to get vaccinated varies by region.

To find out how to proceed and where to get vaccinated, contact your CLSC or your doctor. To know their contact info, see the Finding a Resource section. You can also call Info-Santé 811 to know the vaccination location nearest you.

Do not forget to bring your immunisation card with you to the appointment. The immunisation card is generally given at birth or at the first vaccination appointment.

Make sure your vaccination is always up to date. If you go on a trip, you can also consult a vaccination clinic specialising in travel health. To find contact info for travel health clinics, contact your CLSC or your regional public health authority. You can also visit the Health Canada Travel Health page.

Recommended Immunization Schedule

The Québec immunization schedule includes vaccines offered free of charge under the Québec Immunization Program. These vaccines are recommended for the whole population. Other vaccines may also be recommended due to health condition, lifestyle, work, activity or travel.

Several vaccines must be administered during childhood. To best protect your child, do not omit any vaccine, and have them administered at the recommended ages. Children receive their first vaccines from the age of 2 months in order to be protected as soon as possible. Consult the immunization schedules below to know at what age your child should receive other vaccines that are essential for their protection. Your child must receive several doses of certain vaccines to ensure long-term protection. These doses are called ‘booster doses’.

Principles for Establishment of Immunisation Schedule

For each vaccine, the immunisation schedule is established according to the following principles:

• The vaccine must be administered at the age when the risk of catching the disease is highest
• The vaccine must be effective at the age when it is administered
• The number of doses administered must result in short-term protection
• The vaccine must be administered at the age when it causes the least symptoms
• The need and timing for a booster must be evaluated to ensure long-term protection.