COVID-19 Vaccination

If you haven’t received any COVID-19 vaccines before, the updated COVID-19 vaccine (KP.2 formulation) will provide the best protection against the variants of COVID-19 currently circulating. The updated COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for everyone six months and older.

Six months to four years of age

Children six months to four years of age who are not previously vaccinated are given two doses of the updated Moderna vaccine at least 56 days apart.

Five years of age and older

Individuals five years of age and older who are not previously vaccinated are given one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Individuals who are immunocompromised (i.e., have a weakened immune system because of a disease or medication they are taking)

Individuals with a weakened immune system who are six months to four years old and are not previously vaccinated should receive three doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, given four to eight weeks apart.

Individuals with a weakened immune system who are five years of age and older who are not previously vaccinated should receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, given four to eight weeks apart.

Individuals who have been previously vaccinated against COVID-19 and are part of a high-risk group are recommended to receive an additional dose this spring. 

Individuals who have been previously vaccinated against COVID-19 and are not part of a high-risk group can wait to receive an additional dose in the fall.

The recommended interval is six months from the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, however a minimum interval of three months is also accepted.

Please ask a health care provider whether a second additional dose is recommended based on your age, health, and COVID-19 immunization history.

Find your closest pharmacy offering the COVID-19 Vaccine

Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow walk-ins. Check with the pharmacy before you go.

Find a Pharmacy

At this time, the in-home vaccination program with York Region Public Health has ended and is no longer accepting registration.

Contact your health care professional's office to check if they are offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

Visit covid19.ontariohealth.ca to obtain your enhanced vaccine certificate. Each enhanced certificate contains a QR code that can be saved to your phone or printed as a paper copy. 

Individuals can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to obtain the enhanced vaccine certificate by email or mail.

Ontarians who have not updated their health card with their chosen name can now update their proof of vaccine certificate to reflect their chosen name.

How to update your Ontario COVID-19 vaccine certificate to your chosen name:

1. Come to the Access York Front Counter at 17150 Yonge Street and request to speak to the immunization team.

2. Bring at least one form of identification (ID) showing your chosen name. This document or combination of documents from the list below must include your name, birth date and photo ID. Your birth date needs to be the same on all IDs but name and gender can be different.

NOTE: Photo ID is only required for those 18 years of age and older.

There are several forms of documentation which can be used including:

• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate
• Ontario Photo Card 
• Passport 
• First Nation Status Card/Metis Citizenship Card or Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. – Enrolment Card
• Piece of registered mail 
• Pay stub 
• Student card 
• Library card 
• Club or organization ID cards 
• Government issued ID from other jurisdictions (foreign passports, other provincial/territorial health cards/driver’s license)

3. An immunization staff member will update your name in the COVID-19 vaccine certificate database (COVaxON). This may take a few minutes to complete.

4. Visit ontario.ca/page/covid-19-vaccines to download your updated certificate.

5. If you need to travel outside of Canada but haven’t updated your passport with your chosen name, you will need to travel under your old IDs. If so, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) and ask them to switch back your vaccine certificate to your former name/name on your Ontario health card. You can then download the vaccine certificate in your former name.

6. When you return to Canada, call the PVCC again to switch your vaccine certificate back to your chosen name.

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 this online 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. However, if you are unable or prefer not to receive an mRNA vaccine, you are eligible to receive the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. At this time Novavax vaccine is not available in Ontario. Astra Zeneca, Medicago and Janssen vaccines are no longer available in Ontario.

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. Read more in this helpful information sheet.

Common side effects

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.

Can a COVID-19 Vaccine Impact My Mammogram Results?

Yes. Speak to your health care provider to let them know you have already received the vaccine, or if you will soon be receiving a first or second dose.

Vaccines of all types, including the COVID-19 vaccine, can cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes as part of the normal immune response to the vaccine. This can happen after the first or second dose. This temporary swelling can cause your mammogram to appear abnormal even when you are ok.

The Canadian Society of Breast Imaging and Canadian Association of Radiologists’ recommends scheduling screening exams prior to the first dose, or six weeks following either dose in average risk patients. Women who are overdue for screening due to pandemic delays or who are experiencing symptomatic breast concerns should proceed to mammography despite timing of vaccinations. Speak to your health care provider for specific advice for your personal health situation.

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.

I don’t drive anymore, how can I get to my vaccination appointment?

Local and rapid transit services are available in all nine York Region municipalities to assist you to attend a pharmacy or health care provider for COVID-19 vaccination. To learn more and to plan your trip, visit yrt.ca or call 1-866-668-3978

Residents 65+ who require transportation assistance for a vaccine appointment can also call YRT Mobility On-Request directly at 1-866-744-1119 to arrange a ride. Interpretation services are available.

There are also other transportation services offered by community organizations such as (CHATS, Carefirst, Routes, Pinkcars.ca) you may be eligible for. For a complete list of community transportation options, call 211 or visit 211central.ca