Executive summary

In Ontario, immunizations have helped eliminate once-feared diseases like polio and rubella and have reduced others like whooping cough — saving lives, improving quality of life, and delivering significant savings by reducing healthcare costs.

Substantial investments in recent years have positioned Ontario as a national leader in immunization, becoming one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to introduce universal infant immunization against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

To ensure continued progress, Ontario must address remaining gaps in its immunization system, including:

  • the absence of a provincial immunization information system
  • inconsistent access to immunization in some communities
  • a decline in vaccine confidence  

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2024 Annual Report, Protecting Tomorrow: The Future of Immunization in Ontario, outlines a practical and achievable vision to strengthen Ontario’s immunization programs now and into the future.

Key recommendations outlined in the report include:

  • building a centralized provincial immunization information system to make it easier for people to access their immunization history
  • advocating for a national immunization information system and harmonized vaccine schedule to ensure consistency and equity across Canada
  • addressing inconsistencies in access by supporting community-led strategies and improving access to primary care
  • strengthening vaccine confidence through trusted relationships with healthcare providers and community ambassadors
  • strengthening surveillance systems to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness in real time
  • investing in innovation and preparedness, including domestic vaccine development and manufacturing

Read the full annual report.

Disclaimer

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