You might save a considerable amount of money if you check with your private insurance company to see if you are covered for vaccines.

It can also make your decisions easier on desirable but optional vaccines.

While waiting to see a consultant, we strongly suggest that you call your private drug insurance plan. Find out if they pay for some or all of the vaccine costs. Ask them exactly how much they cover. Generally we find that they are good about paying for bill costs for malaria and diarrhea.

Our staff can help you now with this process; just ask at the front desk.

Step 1: Find your insurance card such as for Sun Life, Manulife, etc. and look for your ID number and any group numbers on it that may also have been issued to you. If you do not have your card with try to call whoever has the card your ID and any group numbers. (You do not have to show your card to anyone.)

Step 2: If the telephone number for your drug insurer is not on your card then used their posted phone numbers. We have them for most of the plans on a single page beside our telephone in the call kiosk area. You do not need to dial one. Just pick line 1, 2, 3, or 4 if it’s open and call.

Step 3: Go to a quiet corner such as our call booth in the hall just before the bathroom where you can use the computer or the phone if you wish. When you call your insurance company they will first ask you for your ID number. Then they will ask you for what is called the DIN numbers for the vaccines of interest. (This stands for Drug Identification Number.) Read them the following two sample numbers: the first is for Yellow Fever (00428833); the second is for Dukoral (02247208). We have a list of all our vaccines and their respective DIN numbers in the call booth.

Step 4: Make sure to ask them how much, if any, of the cost they will cover. If they say you are not covered, don’t give up. Ask them if you have Flex benefits or a health spending account. If yes, and if there’s any money left in that account that you haven’t spent (such as on dental, etc.) ask them if you can apply the remainder to paying for your vaccines.

Please note: To our knowledge there are no generic vaccines in Ontario.

Immunization Records:

For Toronto Residents who do not have their list of previous immunizations, there is a convenient way to look up your information online.

• Google “Immunization Connect – City of Toronto.”
• Click the button that says “Report or Access Your Immunization Record.”
• Follow the instructions on the site for which you will need your health card to fill out
• The site will prompt you to create a 6-digit pin number so make sure you
  have a number that you can use that is easy for you to remember

Once you have received your record please print a copy to bring with you to our clinic for your appointment or email it to us so we can print it once you arrive at our clinic.