When you arrive

When you arrive for your appointment, follow any safety guidelines that may be in place, such as washing your hands or keeping your distance from others. Ask the staff if you have any questions.

AHS sites have staff to help you check in for your appointment. They may also be able to help you book an appointment for your or your child’s next immunization if needed.

If your address or phone number has changed, let the staff know.

AHS sites are wheelchair accessible and have accessible washrooms.

Health history

At the appointment, your nurse will ask questions about your health or your child’s health before giving any vaccines. This may include questions about:

• medicines
• health conditions
• allergies
• side effects from vaccines in the past

Your nurse will guide you on what is safe, based on this health history.

Parental or legal guardian consent for children under the age of 18 (minors) is required before getting a vaccine. There may be times when a child is considered a mature minor who can consent for themself to get immunized. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Planning for a comfortable experience

AHS is committed to making your experience as comfortable as possible. Find tips to help your child during immunization and find information for all ages at AHS Commitment to Comfort.

Waiting after getting the vaccine

You will be asked to stay at the clinic for at least 15 minutes after getting a vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

Information for parents

After your child's immunization:

• Praise them and plan for next time. Learn how to prepare your child for the next immunization appointment.
• Make your child's next appointment before you leave the public health or community health centre, if possible. Add the next appointment to your calendar or in your phone to help you remember.
• If you can’t make an appointment yet, keep track of when your child needs their next vaccine. Put a reminder on your calendar or phone.
• Ask the public health or community health centre staff for a copy of your child’s immunization records.
• Talk to your healthcare provider or call Health Link at 811 if you have any questions about side effects.

Immunization records

In Alberta, you can access your immunization records online or in person.

It is important to keep a record of any vaccines you or your child get, including a list of any side effects to the vaccines.

Ask for a record whenever you have an immunization appointment. Keep the records in a safe place.

In certain situations, you may need to submit your own immunization records. Learn more about how and when to submit your record.

You may need proof of your child’s immunizations for school or daycare. And you may need to show proof of your immunizations for school, work, or travel.

Managing mild side effects

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. The side effects depend on which vaccine you got. Side effects may include:

• swelling, redness, or feeling sore where the needle was given
• a fever
• feeling tired
• body aches

It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms. For a list of common side effects, refer to the information for the vaccine you got.

Here are tips to manage side effects at home:

• To help with soreness or swelling, put a cool, wet cloth on the area where the needle was given. Move the arm or leg where the needle was given.
• There is medicine to help with fever, pain, headache, and body aches. Check with your healthcare provider if you are not sure what medicine to use or what dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• People, especially those under the age of 18 years, should not take aspirin for 6 weeks after getting a vaccine that protects against varicella (chickenpox) or getting the live influenza vaccine (nasal spray) unless your doctor has told you to take it. This is because it can cause serious health problems.
• To help with fever, take off extra blankets and wear fewer layers of clothes so that heat can leave the body. But don’t take off so many clothes that you or your child start to shiver. Shivering can create more body heat.
• Drink lots of fluids. Offer your child sips of fluids throughout the day.
• Hold and cuddle your child when needed, and remember to keep the temperature at a comfortable level. Your child is more likely to get upset if they get too warm.

Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their doctor if they get a fever. If you were told to do this, call your doctor even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

It’s rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects or if you have questions about side effects after getting a vaccine.