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It is very important for individuals who are new to Canada, that they become immunized as they can be more susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases due to lack of immunization programs in their country of origin.
Persons newly arriving in Canada with inadequate immunization documentation are considered unimmunized, and thus, must get started on the appropriate immunization schedule for their age and risk factors.
Individuals coming from endemic countries should be assessed and vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
Individuals coming from either an endemic or developing country are more likely to be carriers of Hepatitis B and should be vaccinated upon arrival in Canada.
A rubella-containing vaccine, such as the MMR vaccine, should be administered one dose as soon as possible after entry into Canada.
Individuals coming from tropical countries are more susceptible to varicella and should be administered a varicella-containing vaccine such as Varicella (Chickenpox) or Herpes Zoster (Shingles) upon arrival in Canada.
For individuals who were previously unimmunized, a complete series of IPV containing vaccine is recommended to prevent the introduction and circulation of polio.
All unimmunized individuals new to Canada should be administered a pertussis-containing vaccine, such as Tdap, following the appropriate vaccine schedule for their age.
Anyone is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Canada, including non-citizens.