Immunization summaries
Quick reminders for adult and pregnancy immunization. Confirm provincial schedules, contraindications, and individual risk factors.
Last reviewed January 4, 2026
Adults
COVID-19
- Timing
- Seasonal updates
- Notes
- Most adults should receive a dose each fall; some higher-risk groups may need twice-yearly doses.
Influenza (inactivated or recombinant)
- Timing
- Every season
- Notes
- Recommended annually for all adults, with focus on higher-risk groups.
Td/Tdap
- Timing
- Booster every 10 years
- Notes
- Ensure one adult Tdap dose, then Td boosters every 10 years.
Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Timing
- Adults 50+
- Notes
- Recombinant zoster vaccine series for eligible adults.
Pneumococcal
- Timing
- Adults 65+ or risk conditions
- Notes
- PCV20 is recommended at 65+; use risk-based schedules for chronic conditions.
MMR
- Timing
- Susceptible adults
- Notes
- Adults born in or after 1970 without immunity should receive MMR.
Varicella
- Timing
- Susceptible adults
- Notes
- Offer 2-dose series to adults without evidence of immunity.
HPV
- Timing
- Up to age 26 (risk-based older)
- Notes
- Offer to unvaccinated adults; consider ages 27+ with ongoing risk.
RSV
- Timing
- Adults 75+ (60+ in LTC)
- Notes
- Single dose recommended for older adults and those in long-term care.
| Vaccine | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Seasonal updates | Most adults should receive a dose each fall; some higher-risk groups may need twice-yearly doses. |
| Influenza (inactivated or recombinant) | Every season | Recommended annually for all adults, with focus on higher-risk groups. |
| Td/Tdap | Booster every 10 years | Ensure one adult Tdap dose, then Td boosters every 10 years. |
| Herpes zoster (shingles) | Adults 50+ | Recombinant zoster vaccine series for eligible adults. |
| Pneumococcal | Adults 65+ or risk conditions | PCV20 is recommended at 65+; use risk-based schedules for chronic conditions. |
| MMR | Susceptible adults | Adults born in or after 1970 without immunity should receive MMR. |
| Varicella | Susceptible adults | Offer 2-dose series to adults without evidence of immunity. |
| HPV | Up to age 26 (risk-based older) | Offer to unvaccinated adults; consider ages 27+ with ongoing risk. |
| RSV | Adults 75+ (60+ in LTC) | Single dose recommended for older adults and those in long-term care. |
Pregnancy
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) are contraindicated during pregnancy. Offer postpartum catch-up if needed.
mRNA COVID-19
- Timing
- Any trimester
- Notes
- Recommended in pregnancy; follow current seasonal guidance.
Influenza (inactivated)
- Timing
- Any trimester
- Notes
- Give in each influenza season during pregnancy.
Tdap
- Timing
- Every pregnancy
- Notes
- Ideally 27-32 weeks; give any time if missed.
Hepatitis B
- Timing
- If susceptible and at risk
- Notes
- Offer series when ongoing exposure risk is present.
| Vaccine | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| mRNA COVID-19 | Any trimester | Recommended in pregnancy; follow current seasonal guidance. |
| Influenza (inactivated) | Any trimester | Give in each influenza season during pregnancy. |
| Tdap | Every pregnancy | Ideally 27-32 weeks; give any time if missed. |
| Hepatitis B | If susceptible and at risk | Offer series when ongoing exposure risk is present. |