VACCINATION
Prevention is your best health asset!
At our Laval clinic, we offer vaccination services for the whole family, as well as the vaccination services needed for your next trip.
We also administer all vaccines not covered by public health, including meningitis B, shingles, pneumococcal and HPV vaccines.
*All vaccines are available at our clinic and administered the same day of your appointment without a prescription.
Pediatric Vaccination
Our clinics offer vaccinations for babies, children and adolescents. Vaccines are designed to protect children from dangerous diseases that pose serious health risks. When a baby or child is vaccinated, he or she develops immunity to these diseases before coming into contact with them.
In addition, having your child vaccinated also helps protect those around him. Indeed, if your child is immunized against a disease, the risks of catching it or transmitting it to his relatives are greatly reduced.
Consult the vaccination schedules provided by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec.
Frequently asked questions
Should I vaccinate my baby?
Yes, vaccination prevents infectious diseases that have historically affected many infants. Vaccines are very safe. Millions of doses of vaccine are given safely each year and side effects are mild and short-lived. The vaccine does not weaken the immune system. On the contrary, it stimulates it to build up defenses against diseases.
What are the side effects of vaccination?
Vaccination in babies can cause minor side effects. Severe cases are very rare. The child may have pain at the injection site, redness and slight swelling. You can apply a cold wet compress or ice to relieve the discomfort. It is also possible that he or she may develop a slight fever over a short period of time. If the fever persists or if you think your child is having a severe reaction to a vaccine, contact us or your child’s doctor directly.
Can a sick baby be vaccinated?
According to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, a mild illness is usually not a reason to delay vaccination. Call us or make an appointment online to meet with one of our health professionals, and we can assess your infant’s needs. It is still important that infants be vaccinated on time, even if they are not feeling well, to protect them from dangerous diseases.
All baby vaccines are available without a prescription at our clinic. Get an appointment online quickly for your infant.
Can we vaccinate a baby with a cold?
A baby with a cold, mild fever, cough or runny nose can be safely vaccinated. If you are having difficulty assessing your child’s health and making a decision about vaccination, contact us and we will be able to provide you with more information and guidance.
When should a baby be vaccinated against measles?
The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec recommends two doses of measles vaccine, one at 12 months and one at 18 months. Measles vaccination is combined with rubella and mumps vaccination. This combination of vaccines is known as MMR and is offered free of charge to all Quebec residents who have not yet received it.
Contrary to popular belief, these three diseases are not benign and can lead to serious complications. MMR vaccines are generally well tolerated by toddlers. However, fever or skin rash may occur in the days following vaccination.
If you plan to be out of town or out of the country for your baby’s first 12-month vaccine, it can be given as early as 6 months of age. Ask one of our health care professionals or your baby’s doctor for more information.
Vaccination for students
After elementary school, immunization follow-ups are often forgotten or neglected. For school children or students, teenagers or adults, trainees or professionals in the health field, we are able to check your vaccination status and offer you the update of your health record. Since we have most medications on site at all times, we can comply with everything in one visit.
We also offer TST / PPD (tuberculin screening) if required. The evaluation according to the health record is done on site.
Adult Vaccination
Contrary to popular belief, vaccinations are not just for children or vulnerable people with poor health. Vaccines are useful for everyone, at any age.
Some vaccines have a shelf life of 5 to 10 years. It is therefore important, even for healthy adults, to keep their health records up to date and receive new or expired vaccines.
Among the follow-ups to be done for the different vaccines, we offer the one against diphtheria-tetanus, human papilloma virus (HPV), influenza, shingles and many others.
Talk to one of our health care professionals today.
Vaccination for shingles
The risk of getting shingles and postherpetic neuralgia increases with age. It is recommended that adults 50 years of age or older be vaccinated against this disease.
Shingles is a disease that causes a painful rash usually on the face or chest. The rash is usually limited to one side of the body and some people describe the pain as an intense burning sensation. The rash turns into a scabies in 7 to 10 days and disappears in two to four weeks.
Shingles is a disease that causes a painful rash usually on the face or chest. The rash is usually limited to one side of the body and some people describe the pain as an intense burning sensation. The rash turns into a scabies in 7 to 10 days and disappears in two to four weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get the shingles vaccine?
If you are 50 years of age or older, it is recommended that you get the shingles vaccine. Shingles comes from the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, you are likely to have shingles. You can also get the vaccine if you have already had shingles, to help prevent future occurrences. There is no maximum age for getting the vaccine.
It is important to know that shingles is not contagious. However, you can get chickenpox from direct contact with the lesions caused by shingles.
Contact us to discuss the risks and benefits of getting vaccinated.
Which vaccine should you choose to protect yourself?
Option 2: Shingrix® vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and available as of January 2018. It reduces the risk of shingles by 97% and this effectiveness does not decrease with age. When shingles occurs despite vaccination, the risk of postherpetic neuralgia decreases by 90%.
Two doses are required to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine. The majority of reactions are mild and short-lived, although they are more common than those associated with Zostavax vaccine. Vaccine-induced reactions may prevent the continuation of daily activities for 1-2 days in 17% of cases and are less common in older people (redness, warmth, swelling at the injection site, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, fever and chills). In addition, they may be experienced slightly more often following the 2nd dose.
Option 1: Zostavax® vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine available since 2008. It is about 65% effective in preventing shingles and its effectiveness decreases with age. If shingles occurs despite vaccination, the risk of postherpetic neuralgia decreases by almost 50%, according to a large study of more than 38,000 adults aged 50 years. Only one dose of this vaccine is recommended. Protection from this vaccine is at least 5 years.
Possible side effects of Zostavax vaccine are pain, redness or swelling at the vaccine injection site. You may also feel itchy and warm at the site where the vaccine was given.
The live attenuated shingles vaccine is safe and in most cases does not cause a reaction.
familial vaccination
Influenza Vaccination
Prevent the flu and its unpleasant and disturbing effects? Yes, it’s possible and worry-free!
At the clinic, we offer the influenza vaccine by injection or intranasal for children over 2 years of age, and the High-Dose vaccine recommended for those 65 years and older.
Groupe Santé Express offers a personalized service to families and companies wishing to have their employees vaccinated.
Travel Vaccination
Prepare your luggage… and your health booklet! Do you travel regularly for business or pleasure? Prevent inconveniences by checking with our specialized travel health team to make sure you have the right vaccination coverage.
See our Travel Health section.
To discuss your options, contact one of our healthcare professionals today.
Don’t forget your health book!
