When you move to Canada, one of the first medical tasks is to “translate” your child's vaccination history to Canadian standards. Alberta Health Services (AHS) has one of the strongest immunization programs in the world. It differs significantly from the Ukrainian program in terms of both the schedule and the list of vaccines that are free of charge.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at which vaccinations your child will receive in Edmonton, how this schedule differs from what you are used to, and how to legalize Ukrainian vaccination certificates.
How the vaccination system works in Alberta
Before moving on to the list of vaccines, it is important to understand the organizational differences. In Ukraine, vaccinations are often given by a pediatrician at a clinic or by a family doctor. In Edmonton, routine vaccinations for children are mainly carried out by Public Health Centers, rather than family doctors.
This means that for routine vaccinations, you do not make an appointment with your doctor, but with a specialized clinic where nurses work exclusively on vaccination and monitoring the child's development. All routine vaccinations for children who are residents of Alberta are completely free.
Vaccination schedule: What and when to vaccinate
The Canadian vaccination schedule is comprehensive and designed to protect your child from as many threats as possible at an early age.
1. Infants (2, 4, and 6 months)
This is the most intensive period. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, the child receives the same set of vaccines to build lasting immunity.
- DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB (6-in-1): This is a single combination vaccine that protects against six diseases at once: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B. In Ukraine, hepatitis B is often vaccinated separately, but here it is included in the “cocktail.”
- Pneumococcal: Protects against pneumonia, meningitis, and ear infections. In Ukraine, this vaccine is often recommended but must be paid for (e.g., Prevenar/Synflorix). Here, it is mandatory and free of charge.
- Rotavirus: This is not an injection, but drops in the mouth (sweet syrup). Protects against severe diarrhea and dehydration. In Ukraine, this is also often a paid option, while in Canada it is standard.
2. Toddlers (12 and 18 months)
After the first year of life, the focus shifts to “live” vaccines and revaccination.
- At 12 months: The child receives the MMR-Var vaccine. This is a combination against measles, mumps, rubella, and — note — chickenpox (varicella). At this time, vaccinations against meningococcus (type C) and a booster dose against pneumococcus are also given.
- At 18 months: Revaccination with the DTaP-IPV-Hib (5-in-1) combination vaccine, which boosts immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio.
3. Preschoolers (4-6 years old)
Before starting school (kindergarten or grade 1), children should receive their final “childhood” boosters.
- DTaP-IPV: Protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio.
- MMR-Var: Second dose against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. This provides lifelong immunity and helps prevent “childhood epidemics” in schools.
4. Schoolchildren (grades 6 and 9)
At school age, vaccinations are given directly at school. Nurses come to the school, and parents only need to sign a consent form.
- 6th grade: The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, Gardasil, is offered. It protects against cancers caused by this virus. It is available for both girls and boys. Also, if the child has not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B in childhood, it will be offered here.
- Grade 9: The last stage of school. Students receive the dTap vaccine (adult booster for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and Meningococcal (protection against four strains of meningitis — A, C, Y, W-135).
Main differences from Ukraine: What to look out for
For Ukrainian parents, some aspects of the Canadian calendar may come as a surprise:
- No BCG (tuberculosis): Canada does not carry out mass BCG vaccinations in maternity wards. The incidence of tuberculosis is very low here, so only high-risk groups are vaccinated. Don't be surprised if your second child, born here, does not receive the “mark on the shoulder.”
- Chickenpox is serious: In Ukraine, there is a belief that chickenpox “must be endured.” In Canada, the approach is different: chickenpox is considered a disease that is best avoided due to the risk of complications (such as shingles in the future). Therefore, vaccination against it is a mandatory part of the calendar.
- All-in-one vaccines: Canadian medicine tries to reduce stress for children, so the number of injections is minimized by combining 5-6 components in one syringe. This is safe and effective.
How newcomers can confirm their Ukrainian vaccinations
This is a critically important step. Your Ukrainian records (form 063/o or “vaccination card”) are very valuable.
Step 1: Translation
You do not need to have a notarized translation. Often, a high-quality independent translation or a translation by volunteers is sufficient if the names of the vaccines are written in Latin. The main thing is that the nurse can understand the dates and vaccine series.
Step 2: Make an appointment for an assessment (Assessment)
Call your nearest Public Health Centre or 811 and say: “We are newcomers from Ukraine and need to submit immunization records.” You will be booked in for an appointment with a nurse.
Step 3: Visit and catch-up schedule
The nurse will enter your information into Alberta's electronic system and give you a Canadian immunization card (often a yellow or white booklet). If any vaccines are missing (for example, you did not receive the pneumococcal or meningococcal vaccines), they will create an individual schedule for you to “catch up.” This is also free of charge.
Are vaccinations mandatory for school?
This is a common question. In Alberta, unlike in Ontario or New Brunswick, vaccinations are not legally required for school admission. Your child will be accepted into school even without vaccinations.
But there is an important caveat: During an outbreak of an infectious disease at school (e.g., measles), unvaccinated children will be removed from classes by order of the public health officer until the outbreak is over. This can last for weeks. Therefore, the school strongly requests that you provide a copy of your vaccination card upon registration so that they know who to isolate in case of danger.