Why the Schedule Exists
Your child will see a needle before they can walk. That’s uncomfortable to think about, but the timing is not random.
Babies are born with some protection from their mother’s antibodies. It fades fast — usually within the first few months. The immunizations in Sudbury are built around that window. Each vaccine arrives when the immune system is ready to respond but before the real exposure risk kicks in.
The Sudbury schedule is free. All vaccines on it are publicly funded. There’s no cost to following it.
Sudbury Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule — Age by Age
The schedule below reflects Sudbury’s provincially funded program. Your child’s doctor may adjust timing based on their specific health history.
2 Months
- DTaP-IPV-Hib — diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Pneu-C-13 — pneumococcal conjugate (protects against bacterial pneumonia and meningitis)
- Rotavirus — oral drops, not a needle; prevents severe viral diarrhea
This is usually the hardest appointment. Three needles, plus the oral drops. Your child will cry. That’s normal and doesn’t mean something went wrong.
4 Months
- DTaP-IPV-Hib (second dose)
- Pneu-C-13 (second dose)
- Rotavirus (second dose)
6 Months
- DTaP-IPV-Hib (third dose)
- Rotavirus (third dose, if using the 3-dose series)
12 Months
- MMR — measles, mumps, rubella
- Varicella — chickenpox
- Men-C-C — meningococcal C
15 Months
- Pneu-C-13 (booster dose)
18 Months
- DTaP-IPV-Hib (booster)
- MMR (second dose)
4 to 6 Years (School Entry)
- DTaP-IPV — diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio booster
- Varicella (second dose, if not already given)
Grade 7 (Approximately 12–13 Years)
- HPV — human papillomavirus (2 doses, given 6 months apart)
- Men-C-ACYW — expanded meningococcal protection
- Hep B — hepatitis B (2 doses, if not vaccinated as an infant)
This is the in-school program. Public health nurses typically administer these at school.
What Actually Happens at the Appointment
Most visits take 15 to 20 minutes. The actual needle part is under a minute.
The doctor or nurse will:
- Review your child’s health since the last visit
- Confirm there are no reasons to delay (fever, certain allergies)
- Administer the vaccines — usually in the upper thigh for infants, the arm for older children
- Ask you to stay for 15 minutes after, in case of an immediate reaction
Bring your child’s yellow immunization record. Every province uses slightly different documentation and tracks vaccinations through the provincial registry. Your local health unit maintains this record.
Side Effects Parents Ask About Most
Most side effects are minor and short-lived. Here’s what to actually expect versus what to worry about.
Common and normal:
- Redness or swelling at the injection site
- Low-grade fever (under 38.5°C / 101.3°F) within 12–24 hours
- Fussiness for 1–2 days
- Sleepiness
Less common but still not an emergency:
- Fever above 38.5°C — give infant acetaminophen as directed by weight; contact your doctor if it doesn’t respond
- A firm lump at the injection site — can last weeks; not dangerous
Go to the ER immediately if you see:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face or throat
- Seizure
- Child becomes unresponsive or unusually limp
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are rare — roughly 1–2 per million doses. That’s why you stay for 15 minutes after the shot. Clinics are equipped to handle it.
The MMR vaccine sometimes causes a mild rash or fever 7–12 days after the shot. This is the immune system responding. It is not contagious.
Catching Up on Missed Vaccines
Life happens. A sick day, a relocation, a skipped appointment – it does not imply a return to zero on vaccinations for your kid.
There is a catch-up schedule in Sudbury. Vaccines do not have to start all over again because of doses that were missed; they simply resume where they stopped. The doctor will find the correct intervals depending on the age of your child at catch-up.
A few things worth knowing:
Not all vaccines have no age restrictions. For instance, rotavirus is not to be administered past 15 weeks of age.
- If there is no certainty about the vaccinations your kid has received, the immunization records can be obtained from your local public health agency in Sudbury.
- Kids who immigrated to Sudbury may have had vaccines that did not follow the immunization schedule precisely. A physician will help with bridging those gaps.
- Delaying catch-up until your kid is entering school will only get you trouble because the Immunization of School Pupils Act requires proof of vaccines or an exemption from them for a variety of illnesses.
Where to Get Your Child Vaccinated in Sudbury
There are several places to receive immunizations in Sudbury, including public health units, family physicians, and pediatric offices.
MillBrook Pediatrics is a pediatric office in Sudbury that provides all childhood vaccinations in Sudbury. They operate on a Sudbury government-funded timetable and are also capable of offering travel vaccinations and catch-up vaccinations for children who are new to the area or country.
Those who are in search of a specific clinic that offers vaccine services for children may find pediatricians more suited to the task since they will be equipped to deal with distractions and anxious children and are not as clinically hospital-like as other types of physicians.
Should there be a requirement for a vaccine clinic near Sudbury, then individuals outside of the downtown area will be able to find Public Health Sudbury and Districts, which provides free vaccine clinics throughout the region with no referral required.
Whether one receives vaccines for children in Sudbury through the publicly funded program via a family physician, pediatric physician, or the public health office, they do not cost any money. They are the exact same vaccines as well.
Practical Tips Before and After the Visit
Before:
- Feed your infant 30 minutes before the appointment, not right before. A slightly hungry baby may nurse/bottle-feed immediately after for comfort.
- Dress your child in loose clothing with easy arm/thigh access.
- Bring the yellow immunization booklet and your health card.
- If your child is old enough to understand what’s happening, be honest. “It will hurt for a second, then it’ll be done” is better than “you won’t feel a thing.”
During:
- Hold your infant facing you, skin-to-skin if possible. Research shows this measurably reduces pain perception in infants.
- For toddlers, sitting upright in your lap is better than lying flat.
- Breastfeeding during the injection is effective at reducing distress if that’s possible.
After:
- If a fever develops, infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (for children over 6 months) helps.
- A cool, damp cloth on the injection site reduces swelling.
- Extra cuddles. Obvious, but worth saying.
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