VACCINATIONS
If you have private drug insurance we provide direct insurance billing to help you minimize your payments for non-OHIP covered immunizations
Avaxim and Avaxim Jr (Hepatitis A)
Cost per dose: $60 (adult), $60 (child)
Number of doses: 2
- Hepatitis A is an infection that damages the liver
- You can get Hepatitis A by drinking contaminated water or eating raw fruits and vegetables prepared with contaminated water
- Hepatitis A is a concern when eating locally in developing countries
- The Hepatitis A vaccine series (two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine typically spaced six months apart) will provide lifetime protection against Hepatitis A
- Your first shot should be given at least 24h prior to departure
Twinrix and Twinrix Jr (Hep A and B)
Cost per dose: $90 (adult), $60 (child)
Number of doses: 3-4
- Hepatitis A and B are viral infections that cause liver damage
- You can get Hepatitis A by drinking contaminated water or eating raw fruit and vegetables prepared with contaminated water
- Hepatitis A is a concern when eating locally in developing countries
- Hepatitis B is spread through sexual contact, contaminated blood products and dirty needles
- While Hepatitis A typically clears after two months, Hepatitis B is a chronic infection
- Vaccination with Twinrix will stop you from developing both Hepatitis A and B
- A standard series is three shots over six months, an accelerated series is three shots within one month and a booster at 1 year
- Your first shot should be at least 24h prior to depar
Typhim Vi and Vivotif (Typhoid)
Cost per dose: $50
Number of doses: 1
Typhoid causes severe stomach upset
- Typhim Vi is an injection while Vivotif comes as pills.
- Typhoid is a concern when eating locally outside of North America and Western Europe, particularly for trips lasting over 2 weeks
- India and Pakistan are hotspots for drug-resistant Typhoid
- Vivotif is a live vaccine, providing 7 years of protection- it may be a good choice if you intend to do multiple international trips
- The injectable option is inactivated (not live) and provides protection for 3 years
- You should get your shot at least 2 weeks prior to your trip
Hepatitis A and Typhoid (Vivaxim)
Cost per dose: $140
Number of doses: 1, then booster of Hep A only
- Provides protection against Hepatitis A and Typhoid in one combination shot
- You should get your combination shot at least 2 weeks prior to your trip
RabAvert or Imovax Rabies
Cost per dose: $250
Number of doses to complete pre-exposure series: 3
- Avoid close contact with wild animals, as scratches and bites may transmit rabies
- Consider getting vaccinated for any trip, particularly if you will be travelling for a prolonged period or if you are are heading somewhere ‘off the beaten track’ where it may take some time to reach reliable healthcare
- If you choose to be vaccinated, you will have three shots spaced over four weeks
- Worldwide, stray dogs and bats carry rabies, and sometimes other animals
- Untreated, rabies is 100% fatal
- You should get 3 shots prior to departure. You should start the series 4 weeks before your trip
Menactra (Meningococcal meningitis)
Cost per dose: $150
Number of doses: 1
- Meningococcal meningitis is a series illness with a high death rate
- Menactra is now routinely given to grade 7 students in Ontario
- The ‘meningitis belt’ in sub-Saharan Africa takes its name from meningitis outbreaks that occur annually during the dry season (December to June)
- If you are traveling to sub-Saharan Africa during the dry season, it is a good idea to get vaccinated
YF-Vax (Yellow Fever)
Cost per dose: $300
Number of doses: 1
- Yellow fever is a serious illness with a very high death rate (20%) that can result from being bitten by an infected mosquitos in parts of South America and sub-Saharan Africa
- Immigration officials in many Yellow fever-endemic countries will require you to show them your yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Across Canada, Travel Clinics require a special designation to be able to administer Yellow Fever vaccine: Travel Clinic @ MDACC has this designation
- The World Health Organization previously recommended one dose every 10 years
- In 2016, the WHO changed their recommendation so that now one dose of Yellow fever vaccine is thought to provide lifetime immunity (with several exceptions)
- Yellow fever vaccine should be given at least 10 days prior to your trip
Dukoral (Cholera and Traveller's Diarrhea)
Cost per dose: $100
Number of doses: 2
- Cholera is common in settings with poor sanitation such as aid and refugee camps
- Individuals with Cholera experience severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps which can lead to dehydration
- Dukoral is a self-administered oral vaccine which can prevent cholera and Traveller’s diarrhea
- Two doses of the liquid vaccine mixture are taken at least a week apart
- Individuals with Cholera experience severe diarrhea and abdominal cramps which can lead to dehydration
- Dukoral is a self-administered oral vaccine which can prevent cholera and Traveller’s diarrhea
- The second dose of Dukoral should be taken at least one week before your trip
Shingrix (Shingles)
Cost per dose: OHIP funded for aged 65-69, $155 if private pay
Number of doses: 2
- Anyone with a history of chickenpox may develop shingles
- Shingles vaccine is recommended to anyone over 50 to prevent shingles as well as the chronic nerve pain that sometimes results from the infection
- Shingles can be triggered by stress, and, for some, travel is a stressful.
Tetanus-containing vaccine
Cost per dose: OHIP funded
Number of doses: 1 every 10 years
- Tetanus infection (or lockjaw) is thankfully uncommon in Canada, but it certainly does exist abroad
- Make sure you are up to date with your tetanus vaccine
- Tetanus can be transmitted via spider bites as well as rusty nails lodged in the skin
- Tetanus vaccine is always given in conjunction with diphtheria, and sometimes alongside pertussis and/or polio.
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)
Cost per dose: OHIP covered
Number of doses: 2
- Unfortunately, outbreaks of measles have become quite common across the globe due to reduced uptake in MMR vaccination
- The ‘research’ linking autism to the MMR vaccine has been completely disproven
- In recent years, some measles outbreaks have been traced to airports
- If you are travelling internationally (even to the USA) with infants under 12 months, considering getting an early MMR
- Adults should have evidence of at least one- ideally two- measles-containing vaccines or a history of measles to be considered immune