What to Expect from Vaccination
Thank You For Vaccinating
With every vaccination, you're protecting you and your child from serious diseases. You're also protecting people around you who may be at risk for disease.
Watch this video to have immunity and vaccines explained.
After Vaccination
Caring for your child
Your child may need some extra love and care after getting vaccinated. Continue to relax, cuddle, distract and comfort your child.
Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects that are usually mild and brief. Most children are fine after getting a vaccination. Some children may be fussier or sleepier than usual.
In rare cases, a child may have a serious allergic reaction. The risks of a serious reaction from a vaccine are minor compared to getting the actual disease. There is a 15 minute wait time after a vaccination to make sure that there are no immediate reactions.
What to do if you're concerned
If you're concerned about how you or your child looks or feels:
- Call your health care provider, or
- Go to the closest hospital
For non-emergency situations, call Telehealth.
Report Adverse Events (Health Effects After Vaccination)
Vaccine safety is taken very seriously in Canada. Reporting an adverse event is important to ensure continued safety of vaccines.
An adverse event following immunization is called an AEFI. They are classified as:
- An unwanted or unexpected health effect that happens after someone receives a vaccine
- A health effect may or may not be caused by the vaccine
Health care providers who administer vaccines are required by law to report AEFIs.
Most reported AEFIs are mild. The most frequently reported reactions are:
- Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
- Rash
- Allergic skin reaction
Report an AEFI to the health care provider who gave you or your child the vaccine. Public Health can help with this process. Call the Vaccine Team if you have any questions.
Report Your Child's Vaccination
Each time your child gets a vaccine, the law requires that you report it to Public Health. Health care providers don't do this for you.
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