COVID-19 Vaccination

Your initial series of vaccines, which aims to give a primary antibody response, depends on your age and previous COVID-19 vaccinations. It is usually:

• 1 dose for those aged five years and over
• 2 doses for those aged six months to four years

If your immune system is weakened due to a medical condition or treatment, you may need extra doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to help your body build stronger protection. A healthcare provider can help decide how many doses you need and when to get them.
If you are unsure if you have completed your initial series, you can discuss your COVID-19 vaccination history with:

• York Region Public Health - call Access York at 1-877-464-9675
• A health-care provider or pharmacist
• Someone from the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900

If you already completed your initial series, it is recommended you receive an updated dose in the fall if it has been at least three months (84 days) since your last dose.

If you are part of the specific groups at high-risk of infection, an additional dose is also recommended in the spring.

If you are at increased risk of COVID-19 and have symptoms, you may be eligible for COVID-19 testing  (including PCR and rapid antigen tests).

If you've tested positive for COVID-19, here's how long you should wait before getting your next vaccine dose:

• If you've finished your initial vaccine series: wait three months before getting another dose
• If you haven’t started or are still completing your initial series and you are:
  • Not immunocompromised: wait two months (56 days) before getting another dose
  • Immunocompromised: wait one to two months (28–56 days) before getting another dose

If you have complex health needs, talk to your healthcare provider to find out the best time to get vaccinated.

Visit covid19.ontariohealth.ca to obtain proof of vaccination or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

COVID-19 vaccine certificates with QR codes are no longer required in Ontario.

An out-of-province dose should be recorded with York Region Public Health in the following situations:

1. Individuals under five years of age who have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario. This is to ensure that they have completed the appropriate number of doses to maximize their protection.
2. Individuals over five years of age who have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario within the last six months. This is to ensure any subsequent doses that may be needed are given at the appropriate intervals.

Complete the Out of Province COVID-19 Immunization Records form to record an out-of-province dose.

If you do not have a COVID-19 immunization record, please contact the location that administered your previous dose(s) to request a copy.

COVID-19 Immunized Outside of Ontario Form

All information collected by this secure form is confidential and will not be shared.

If you have been immunized through a York Region Public Health clinic, pharmacy or physician office, you do not need to upload any immunization records.

Are COVID-19 vaccines effective?

Immunity begins about two weeks after the first COVID-19 vaccine dose. All approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, particularly serious illness to yourself and to vulnerable populations. Vaccination helps the immune system protect against disease and is one of our most effective lines of defense.

It’s important to get vaccinated and stay up to date. Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance document provides more information.

How well is the vaccine tested? Is it safe?

Only vaccines that are safe and effective for widespread use are approved by Health Canada for use in Canada. Vaccines are tightly regulated and closely monitored in Canada and each vaccine has been rigorously tested in a series of large-scale trials.

While mild or moderate side effects are possible, they typically subside in a few days. These might include soreness at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish. Some symptoms can be part of the body’s response to developing immunity. Side effects may be more common with the second dose. Serious side effects are rare.

Some side effects can be similar to symptoms of COVID-19. If you have concerns about symptoms after immunization, please speak to your health care provider to determine if you need further assessment.

Vaccines are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness at federal, provincial and local levels. Health care providers and the public also play a part in this, by reporting any uncommon side effects after receiving a vaccine.

Is mRNA technology new?

Like all vaccines, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before being approved. mRNA technology has been studied for more than a decade. The “m” from mRNA means “messenger” which is exactly what the vaccine does – it sends a message to your cells to make antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. It blocks the virus from attaching and getting into your body’s cells. It cannot change your DNA and it cannot give you COVID-19.

What types of COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Canada?

mRNA (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines are recommended.

If you have any additional questions, please call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Access York is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.

Can I contract COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. The approved vaccines do not contain the virus. The vaccines cannot give you an infection or the disease (COVID-19).

Should I get the vaccine if I am pregnant or trying to become pregnant or am breastfeeding?

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is effective in protection pregnant individuals from severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization from COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccination also protects the infant after birth from COVID-19 as protective antibodies are transferred to the fetus during pregnancy. COVID-19 vaccines may be offered at any stage of pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should receive their eligible doses as soon as they are able to. 

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada recommends that all individuals who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects for some people; most are mild or moderate and typically subside in a few days. These might include soreness at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish. Some symptoms can be part of the body’s response to developing immunity.

Report serious side effects to your health care provider.

Serious side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are rare; however, if you are severely unwell call 911 and seek medical attention right away, or if you develop any of the following adverse reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine:

• Hives
• Swelling of the face or mouth
• Trouble breathing
• Very pale colour and serious drowsiness
• High fever (over 40°C)
• Convulsions or seizures
• Other serious symptoms

There have been rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination with an mRNA vaccine:

• Cases were more commonly reported after the second dose
• Symptoms typically began within several days after vaccination
• Cases were mainly adolescents and young adults
• Cases were more often males compared to females
• Most cases experienced mild or temporary illness, responded well to rest and conservative treatment and symptoms improved quickly

These reports are rare. If you have experienced non-vaccine related myocarditis in the past, or after receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please speak to your health care provider to determine your options for vaccination.

Seek medical attention if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations following immunization (symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis).

If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your health care provider.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Speak to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about your health or getting the vaccine.

Screen yourself for symptoms of illness including COVID-19, before your vaccination appointment. If you feel unwell on the day of your appointment, have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, please stay home and cancel or reschedule your appointment. Provincial guidelines recommend that you stay home until all the following apply:

• your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)
• you do not have a fever
• you do not develop any additional symptoms

People who get sick with COVID-19 need to wait at least 3 months from a positive test to receive another dose.

What do I need when I receive my vaccine?

When attending your vaccine appointment, you should wear a short sleeve shirt to ensure your arm is accessible when receiving the vaccine. You will also need an ID showing your proof of age and your OHIP card if you have one.

Are COVID-19 and flu vaccines free for international students and newcomers to Ontario?

Both COVID and flu vaccines are free to everyone including international students and newcomers to Ontario who live, work or attend school here. No OHIP card is required at our York Region Public Health clinics; however, an OHIP card may be requested by other vaccine providers.