Immunization Program
Preventing Diseases Through Vaccination.
Immunizations and Vaccinations are Not Mandatory But…
They Can Save Lives & Help Prevent Disease
Immunizations are voluntary in Manitoba, but we encourage all NCN Citizens to stay up to date with their vaccines. Keeping your vaccinations current protects your health today and strengthens our community’s wellbeing for the future. When you maintain your immunity, you help safeguard our Elders, our children, and those who may be more vulnerable.
Parents can call the Public Health office to schedule baby immunization appointments at the Family & Community Wellness Centre. Older children receive their vaccinations at school from our Public Health Nurses. If you’re notified that your child missed an immunization, please contact us so we can help keep their immunization schedule on track.
All recommended immunizations are free, safe, and quick. They may feel like a small bee sting, but the protection they provide lasts a lifetime.
Keeping up with Vaccinations for our Children and Youth
Routine immunizations start at newborn, and continue through at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months of age.
Newborns
- BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin Vaccine)-protects against tuberculosis
- RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
Children 2 to 18 months of age
- DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Pneu-C-20 (Pneumococcal Conjugate 20)
- Rotavirus
- Men-B (Meningococcal B)
- Men-C-ACYW-135 (Meningococcal Quadrivalent)
- MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella)
Children 4-6 years of age
- Tdap-IPV (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio)
- MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella)
Children in Grade 6
- Men-C-ACYW-135 (Meningococcal Quadrivalent)
- HB (Hepatitis B)
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Children in Grade 8/9
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
All Manitobans aged 6 months or older are eligible to receive one free dose of Hepatitis A vaccine if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
– live in an Indigenous community in Manitoba; OR
– travel regularly to Indigenous communities; OR
– have household visitors from Indigenous communities in Manitoba
All children born on or after January 1, 2010, who meet one or more of the criteria above continue to be eligible to receive a second dose of hepatitis A vaccine.
All Manitobans 6 months of age and older are eligible for Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 vaccines each year.
Keeping up with vaccines for our Adults and Elders
Every 10 years
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
65+ or those at higher risk of pneumococcal disease due to a medical condition or other risk factors.
Pneumococcal Conjugate (Pneu-C-20)
These vaccinations protect you and your child from serious, potentially deadly diseases — and the appointment is usually over before your baby even realizes what’s happening.
Please make these immunizations a priority. Keeping vaccines up to date is one of the most meaningful ways to support long‑term health.
If you are not sure if you or your child is up to date with their shots, call us and ask to speak to Public Health.
How does it work?
When someone receives their first vaccination, we create a personal immunization file that is added to Manitoba’s provincial registry. This record follows them throughout their life, no matter where they move, helping ensure they receive the right protection at the right time.
This program currently operates in Nelson House. If you live in another community, please contact your local sub‑office to learn about similar services available in your area.
What are the benefits of vaccinations?
The vaccinations teach our bodies how to fight off deadly diseases, preventing future illness. Sometimes your children will need a “booster shot” (another shot against the same disease when they are older), and sometimes one vaccination means they will be immune for their entire lives.
When people in our community maintain their best health through immunizations, our “community immunity” is stronger, which helps to protect our weak and vulnerable, such as our Elders and babies, and those will illness. One of the reasons Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation was so successful in staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic was because of our very high vaccination rate, proving that NCN Citizens care about the health of their neighbours.
Please do your part in keeping our community and families healthy!
When children are older, these shots prevent sexually transmitted infections. You can even protect your family from the dreaded winter flu.
When people in our community maintain their best health through immunizations, our “community immunity” is stronger, which helps to protect our weak and vulnerable, such as our Elders and babies, and those will illness. One of the reasons Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation was so successful in staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic was because of our very high vaccination rate, proving that NCN Citizens care about the health of their neighbours.
Please do your part in keeping our families healthy!