You can also call 1-877-644-4545 for information or to book an appointment for your whooping cough vaccination:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A time slot from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is also set aside for vaccination and screening appointments.
Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (appointments for vaccination and screening only).
Calls on weekdays after 6 p.m. and on weekends are handled by agents from the regional call centers of the health and social services network.
On this page:
Description
The Québec Immunization Program aims to improve the population’s health by offering certain vaccines or preventive treatment for free. These protect against specific diseases. The Québec Immunization Program includes various free and voluntary immunization programs.
The decision to offer a free vaccine or a preventive treatment as part of the Immunization Program depends on the analysis of several criteria based on the disease targeted, in particular relating to:
Its seriousness
Its consequences
Its frequency
The number of people that catch it
The population groups affected
The existence of other methods to prevent the disease
The effectiveness and safety of the vaccine or the preventive treatment
The objectives, for example, the urgency with which the disease needs to be controlled
The comparison between the costs of immunization and the medical and social costs associated with the disease and its complications
Acceptance of the vaccine or the preventive treatment by the public and health professionals
The availability of human and financial resources
The availability of the vaccine or the preventive treatment
The Immunization Program includes ongoing monitoring and evaluation measures. Its application allows achievements to be quantified, problems to be discovered and resolved, and program to be adjusted as needed.
List of diseases covered by the Immunization Program
The vaccines currently offered in the Québec Immunization Program protect against the following illnesses:
Anyone living in Québec can receive some of the vaccines or the preventive treatment listed in the recommended immunization schedule for free.
Some people can also receive other vaccines for free due to their health, lifestyle or work. Consult your health professionnal or CLSC to find out which vaccines you are eligible to receive for free.
Other vaccines may be recommended, but not for free.
Procedure
The procedure to follow in order to get vaccinated varies by region.
To find out how to proceed and where to get vaccinated, contact your CLSC, your doctor or your pharmacist. To find their contact information, see the Finding a Resource section. You can also consult Clic Santé to find out the vaccination location nearest you or make an appointment by calling 1 877 644-4545 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Do not forget to bring your immunization record with you to your appointment. The immunization record is generally given at birth or at the first vaccination appointment. Information about the vaccines that have been administered will be entered in your vaccination record and in the Québec Vaccination Registry.
Make sure your vaccination is always up to date. If you go on a trip, you can also consult a vaccination clinic specializing in travel health. To find contact information for travel health clinics, contact your CLSC or your regional public health authority. You can also visit the Health Canada Travel Health page.
Recommended immunization schedule
The Québec immunization schedule includes vaccines offered free of charge under the Québec Immunization Program. Other vaccines may be recommended due to health condition, lifestyle, work, activity or travel.
Several vaccines must be administered during childhood. To best protect your child, do not omit any vaccines and have them administered at the recommended ages. Children must receive their first vaccines at 2 months of age in order to be protected as soon as possible.
Preventive treatment against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also available for babies born during the RSV season (autumn and winter).
Principles for establishing the immunization schedule
For each vaccine, the immunization schedule is established according to the following principles:
The vaccine must be administered at the age when the risk of catching the disease is highest
The vaccine must be effective at the age when it is administered
The number of doses administered must result in short-term protection
The vaccine must be administered at the age when it causes the least symptoms
The need and timing for a booster must be evaluated to ensure long-term protection.
Immunization schedules by age group
Consult the immunization schedules below to find out at what age your child should receive vaccines that are essential for their protection. Your child must receive several doses of some vaccines to ensure long-term protection. These doses are called “booster doses”.
Immunization schedule for infants
Vaccine to prevent:
Newborn
At 2 months
At 4 months
At 12 months
At 18 months
*Preventive treatment (monoclonal antibody), which gives babies antibodies already made to protect them against RSV when it is circulating.