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.
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.