I recently reviewed the app Jiffy on Demand, you can read that post here. It is a super handy app for busy moms and dads, and it got me thinking about other apps out there that make a parent’s life easier. We all need help right? So when I heard about the CANImmunize app I was intrigued and downloaded it as soon as possible.

CANImmunize is a FREE digital immunization record for Canadians that allows people to easily keep track of their family’s vaccination records. This seems like such a no-brainer awesome idea for me and my family.

My son Lucas was born in Vancouver and received his first few rounds of vaccinations there. But, when he was five months old we moved to Ireland for a year. In Ireland, they had a different vaccination schedule. It was left up to me to google what Lucas needed and how it lined up with what they were offering in Ireland. Then, when Lucas was 15 months old we moved here to Ottawa and again we were faced with a slightly different schedule again. Having an app to keep track of all of this, and provide me with all of the information I need would have come in super handy!

My daughter Rowan was born here in Ottawa. Her vaccination schedule has been easier to navigate because we have stayed in one place, but with every additional child it becomes easy to forget who has had what. This CANImmunize app takes care of that for you! So, it turns out, it doesn’t really matter how forgetful I can be at times.

Easy To Use

The CANImmunize app is super easy to navigate. You can simply add you and your family members profiles by typing in names, birth dates, health numbers, and your home province. Then every time you or your child receives a vaccination you simply check it off on the app. The app will then send updates to your phone whenever your child is due for their next shot. You can easily see what they need to receive, and when.

And there’s a bonus for those of us living in Ottawa! Ottawa Public Health and CANImmunize are currently running a pilot for residents of Ottawa which will allow parents to update their children’s immunization records with OPH using the CANImmunize app.

Helpful Information

The CANImmunize app also provides an outbreaks map. This map will tell you of any disease outbreaks in your area…or you can plug in some other location (perhaps somewhere you are travelling to) and find out if there are any outbreaks there! So genius, right?

There is also a section on the app that provides games and comics for kids about how vaccinations work. It could be pretty key for some older kids who are receiving shots at school and maybe have fears and/or questions.

The app also provides a very helpful section with information about pregnancy and immunization. As well it gives provincial vaccination schedules (again awesome for any of you who, like me, have moved provinces). There is also a ton of travel vaccination information.

CANImmunize was developed by Dr. Kumanan Wilson, who is a physician researcher at The Ottawa Hospital. In addition to this app, Dr. Wilson (along with his young, keen team) has developed a digital comic Immunity Warriors, which teaches kids about their immune systems and how vaccines are the best way to protect against influenza and other viruses. You can check out the comic here.

I highly, HIGHLY recommend the CANImmunize app, for parents especially. It really just make sense. You can download the app by visiting CANImmunize . And if your doctor looks anything like the crazy doctor in training below⇓, maybe find yourself a new doctor 🙂