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Immunization for infants and toddlers

Related topics: Children and youth health Immunization Pregnancy and early childhood Public Health

Getting your child immunized, and immunized on time, is one of the most important ways to keep them healthy. Learn when, where and why to get your infant or toddler ages birth to age three immunized if you live in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.

Immunization from birth to age three

  • Routine infant and child immunizations at VCH clinics

    Routine childhood immunizations are offered for free to babies and todders at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 months, and 4 years of age following the B.C. immunization schedule for infants and young children.  

    These routine vaccines protect your child against various vaccine-preventable diseases such as Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping cough), Hepatitis A, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and more. 

    You can get your child these immunizations at VCH Infant and Child Immunization clinics (see locations at the bottom of this page) or with your family doctor or Nurse Practitioner.

  • COVID-19 and flu

    If you are looking for a COVID or flu vaccine only, please register your child with GetVaccinated and you will see multiple locations near you to book when you receive your invitation. VCH infant and child immunization clinics do not offer COVID-19 and flu only appointments.

  • Additional vaccines available for purchase

    There are additional vaccines available for purchase that may benefit your child, including vaccines to protect against hepatitis A and additional types of meningococcal bacteria. You can get these vaccines for your child from travel clinics, most pharmacies and some doctor’s offices. For more information on these vaccines, speak to your family doctor. 

Immunization records

Children born in B.C. receive a Child Health Passport booklet. Bring this booklet to each visit, record your child’s immunizations and keep it in a safe place. You may need it later to sign up for daycare or school, to travel or to take to the hospital in case of emergency.

If you lose your child’s health passport, contact your doctor or Public Health for their immunization records and record it on:

It is important to keep your child’s immunization record up to date. Parents or guardians can access their child’s health record through Health Gateway . Health Gateway only shows immunizations in the Provincial Immunization Registry; this includes immunizations given at a VCH Immunization Clinic. It does not show immunizations given by other health-care providers (i.e. family doctors/nurse practitioners or from health-care providers from First Nations communities or in communities outside of B.C.).

Why immunize?

Getting your child immunized, and immunized on time, is one of the most important ways to keep them healthy. Learn the benefits of immunizations.

If your child has a chronic health condition, different chronic health conditions can put your child at risk for different vaccine-preventable diseases. Talk with your doctor or a nurse from your local public health unit to find out what vaccines your child may need.

Routine childhood immunizations are free. Learn the risks of alternative schedules and choosing not to vaccinate your child.

Where to get your child immunized

Use the immunization clinic finder to find locations for infant and child routine immunizations, COVID and flu vaccines and more near you.

Find an immunization clinic