Routine Vaccines
Unfortunately, Ontario does not apply the: “Once eligible, always eligible” vaccine policy, so individuals who do not receive a publicly-funded vaccine when it is first recommended are not always eligible to receive the vaccine anytime later.
This creates gaps in our vaccine protection for diseases like:
RSV
Pneumonia
Shingles
HPV
Meningitis
Thus, if you are indicated to safely receive vaccine and you do not qualify for via the Publicly Insured Ontario Schedule, we are happy to provide your vaccines which are often still covered via private health insurance plans.
No travel consultation fee is required to receive these vaccines. Patients are able to book directly with our nurses on the same day by contacting our office at 519-848-3798.
Examples of Gaps
RSV
- Adults: Publicly funded Arexvy/Abrysvo for all adults ≥75 and for ages 60–74 who meet provincial high-risk criteria.
- Pregnancy/Infants: Publicly funded Abrysvo for eligible pregnant individuals (32–36 weeks) and Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for infants and certain high-risk children (seasonal).
Adults outside these strict criteria may opt for the RSV vaccine privately based on risk factors. Most health insurance plans cover some or all of this vaccine.
Pneumonia
Ontario funds PCV20 (Prevnar 20) for all adults ≥65 and for specified high-risk groups (children and adults) as part of the routine program since June 2024.
Others outside of these strict criteria may opt for the Prevnar 20 vaccine privately. Most health insurance plans cover some or all of this vaccine.
Whats new in Pneumonia vaccines?
Capvaxive (Pneu-C-21) — Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine
What it is:
Capvaxive™ is a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults 18 years and older, designed to protect against 21 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae including 8 unique serotypes.
Presently Capvaxive is not part of the routine immunization program in Ontario or for high risk individuals.
Capvaxive is available privately. Most health insurance plans cover some or all of this vaccine.
Shingles
The Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is publicly funded in Ontario presently only 65-70 years of age, but can be given to anyone 50+ who wishes not to wait, as shingles doesn’t care about your age. Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is also approved in Canada for adults at increased risk of shingles due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression age 18 plus. Shingrix can also can be administered to anyone 70 plus who did no previously receive their doses.
Most health insurance plans cover some or all this vaccine cost.
- Those who previously received Zostavax II through the public program are not eligible for publicly funded Shingrix.
HPV
The HPV vaccine is publicly funded in Ontario for Grade 7s through the end of high school and select high risk groups.
If you missed your previous opportunity to prevent Head and Neck Cancers, Cervical Cancer, Genital Warts, Penile and Anal Cancers there is still time.
If not immunized, it is estimated that 75% of sexually active Canadians will have a HPV infection at some time. Even if an individual is already infected with one or more vaccine HPV type(s), the vaccine will provide protection against the other HPV type(s) contained in the vaccine.
Ontario offers catch-up to end of Grade 12; males who identify as MSM up to age 26 are eligible under the high-risk program.
Gardasil9 is available privately outside the above criteria. Most health insurance plans cover some or all this vaccine cost.
Vaccine Price List
Click the button below to view vaccines administered at Arthur Travel Health.
