Ontario pharmacists will provide travel vaccines in addition to flu shots

TORONTO – Ontario is expanding the number of vaccines available at pharmacies to include protection against an additional 13 preventable diseases.

Common travel vaccines for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, HPV and shingles will be available at pharmacies for anyone over age of five starting Dec. 15.

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The vaccines can also help protect against yellow fever, varicella, Japanese encephalitis, heamophilus influenza type B, BCG, meningococcal disease and pneumococcal disease.

READ MORE: Ontario makes shingles vaccine free for seniors between 65 and 70

Not all vaccines require a prescription, so people can ask their pharmacist which ones they can provide at the drug store without first seeing a family doctor or primary care provider.

Pharmacists will also continue to deliver flu shots free of charge.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins says pharmacies are a convenient alternative to getting vaccines at a doctors’ office or clinic, and are open evenings and weekends.