COVID‑19 vaccines

Who can get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations is the best way to remain protected against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection including hospitalization and death.

Vaccination may not always prevent symptomatic infection but it will help reduce severity if a person does become infected and decreases the risk of developing post COVID-19 condition (commonly known as long COVID).

COVID-19 vaccines are available to everybody aged 6 months and older in Ontario at no cost, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, even if you do not have an Ontario health card.

If you do not have an Ontario health card, you may use another form of identification (photo identification is required if you are aged 18 or older) to verify your name and date of birth, such as:

• a driver’s licence or Ontario photo card
• a passport
• a piece of registered mail, pay stub, student card, library card
• government issued identification from other jurisdictions (including foreign and expired government documents)

When you should get your next dose

In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Ministry of Health is recommending vaccination with an COVID-19 XBB formulation this fall, which better protects against the new Omicron XBB variant.

The XBB formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu shots are now available to all eligible individuals aged 6 months and older.

It is safe and convenient to receive both the COVID-19 and annual flu shots at the same time, reducing the need for multiple visits to a doctor, nurse practitioner or local pharmacy.

Book an appointment

Vaccine doses and eligibility

COVID-19 vaccines are available to everybody aged 6 months and older in Ontario at no cost, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, even if you do not have an Ontario health card.

Protection after your last dose may decrease over time, especially against new variants. Additional doses help to restore protection that may have decreased since your last dose and help keep you protected from severe outcomes from the virus.

Eligibility and booking for additional doses are based on the interval since your last dose or following a confirmed COVID-19 infection.

The recommended intervals between doses above are in accordance with National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations. They are based on evidence that suggests longer intervals between doses result in a stronger immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness that is expected to last longer.

Individuals who have previously been vaccinated

Individuals 6 months and older who are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended to receive a dose of an XBB formulation this fall at an interval of 6 months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. A health care professional can help determine the appropriate vaccination schedule for those who are not up to date.

Getting vaccinated is particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19. Individuals who are at high risk are strongly recommended to receive a dose of the XBB formulation this fall as soon as they are able.

Individuals with no previous vaccinations

Individuals aged 6 months to 4 years with no previous COVID-19 vaccinations may use a 2- or 3-dose series of an XBB formulation, depending on the product. Vaccine site administrators will advise the appropriate interval between doses.

Individuals aged 5 years and older with no previous COVID-19 vaccinations only require 1 dose of an XBB formulation.

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised with no previous vaccinations are recommended to receive 1 additional dose of the XBB formulation this fall compared to what is stated above.

Individuals who are immunocompromised

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a dose of an XBB formulation this fall. The decision of when to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses may be appropriate at different times for individuals based on their unique health status and personal situation. Individuals are encouraged to speak with their health care provider.

Contact your health care provider if you have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, hematopoietic cell transplant (autologous or allogeneic) or have had (CAR)-T-cell therapy after your COVID-19 vaccination(s). You may be recommended to be re-vaccinated due to loss of immunity following transplant or therapy.

When you should consult your doctor before getting the vaccine

Contact your doctor or health care provider if you have questions about getting the vaccine or if the person getting vaccinated:

• is immunocompromised due to disease or treatment (to discuss optimal timing for vaccination)
• has had a severe allergic reaction after a COVID-19 vaccination or has an allergy to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine

Read the Canadian Immunization Guide for more information.

If you’ve had COVID-19

If you’ve already had COVID-19, you should still be vaccinated for protection from reinfection or severe outcomes. While infection alone provides some protection, vaccination combined with infection helps further improve the immune response.

Even if you’ve recovered from COVID-19, you are not immune and can still get the virus, be contagious while not showing any symptoms, and spread it to others in your community.

If you have had COVID-19, you should wait the following recommended intervals after a confirmed COVID-19 infection (either received a positive test or were symptomatic after having close contact with a test positive case) before receiving your next dose:

• If you have no vaccinations or are in the process of completing a vaccination series:
  • 2 months (56 days) if you are not immunocompromised and have no history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or adults (MIS-A)
  • 1 to 2 months (28 – 56 days) if you are immunocompromised and have no history of MIS-C or MIS-A
  • if you have a history of MIS-C or MIS-A, until clinical recovery has been achieved or up to 90 days since the onset, whichever is longer, regardless of immunocompromised status
• If you have previously been vaccinated:
  • recommended 6 months (168 days)

Discuss the best timing for you with a health care provider. It can depend on whether your next dose is part of your primary series or a booster dose and on your health status.

If you were vaccinated out of Ontario

If you received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario or Canada, you should register your vaccination(s) by contacting your local public health unit.

You must provide proof, such as an immunization record, to your public health unit to be registered. The public health unit may ask for additional proof of vaccination, such as clinic or pharmacy information or travel documents such as a boarding pass.

If you applied to have your out of province vaccination(s) registered with your public health unit and are waiting to have it registered, you can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) to book your next vaccine appointment if you fit all of these criteria:

• you have an Ontario health card or COVID ID (a unique number assigned to you by your public health unit in place of an Ontario health card number)
• your public health unit uses the provincial booking system
• you can bring your out of province vaccination receipts to your vaccination appointment for validation

The PVCC can be reached by phone at 1-833-943-3900. For people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired the TTY number is 1-866-797-0007).

The information is available in more than 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.

You had a vaccine not authorized by Health Canada

If an individual aged 6 months or older has been vaccinated with 1 or more non-Health Canada authorized vaccines, they are recommended to receive at least 1 dose of an XBB vaccine this fall. These individuals are recommended to speak with a health care provider to determine the schedule that is appropriate for them.

Why you should register your vaccination

If you get any COVID-19 vaccines outside of Ontario, you should register them so you can:

• book additional doses in Ontario
• be contacted if there is any clinical guidance about the vaccine you got
• get an Ontario vaccination certificate with QR code

Vaccine types

Only vaccines that Health Canada has approved and determined to be safe and effective will be administered in Ontario.

All vaccines:

• are safe
• can be safely mixed for individuals 6 months and older
• provide strong protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and its variants

Individuals are recommended to receive mRNA vaccines due to the strong protection offered and well-established safety and effectiveness data.

If you have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines or if you do not wish to receive an mRNA vaccine, Novavax is available upon request through your local public health unit, health care provider or participating pharmacy. An XBB formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is expected later this fall. In the interim, the Novavax vaccine targeting the original COVID-19 is still available and is authorized for those aged 12 years and older with no previous vaccinations or needing to restart the vaccine series and for those aged 18 years and older who have previously been vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines have varying doses based on product or age of indication. You will be offered an age-appropriate and Health Canada approved booster dose based on your eligibility at the time of vaccination.

Learn more about the vaccines from Health Canada.

Vaccines for children and youth

Vaccines are safe, effective, and are the best way to remain protected against COVID-19 and its variants. They are an important tool to help prevent serious illness and support the overall health and wellbeing of our children and communities.

Health Canada has approved COVID‑19 vaccines for use in children aged 6 months and older and determined that these vaccines:

• are safe, effective and manufactured with rigorous quality control and assurance
• show a strong immune response and prepare the immune system to fight against COVID‑19 and its variants
• significantly decrease the risk of severe outcomes from COVID‑19 infection
• significantly decrease the risk of longer-term illness from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or adults (MIS-A), a rare but serious condition that can occur in the weeks following COVID‑19 infection

It will not interfere with getting other vaccines

Children and youth who are not up to date on other vaccines can still receive a COVID‑19 vaccine.

If your child is behind on immunizations, we encourage you to contact their health care provider to get up to date.

Children aged 6 months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after other routine vaccines. Parents and caregivers should discuss vaccination with their health care provider to determine the best timing for COVID-19 vaccination.

Learn more about vaccines for children at school.

Where to get vaccinated

Eligible individuals aged 6 months and older can book an appointment through:

• participating pharmacies
• the COVID‑19 vaccination portal
• the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), available in more than 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
• public health units using their own booking system
• participating primary care providers
• Indigenous-led vaccination clinics

Public health units may also offer additional options for vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years old, such as walk-in clinics, which will not be on the COVID‑19 vaccination portal. For information on local options, please visit your local public health unit website.

Indigenous-led clinics

If you identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis, you can find information about vaccination or book an appointment to get your COVID‑19 vaccine through an Indigenous-led vaccination clinic.

Get general vaccine information

It’s okay to still have questions about the vaccine. If you do, you can:

• contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to speak to an agent at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), available in more than 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
• contact your local public health unit
• book a phone appointment with the VaxFacts Clinic to speak with a trusted physician from the Scarborough Health Network at shn.ca/vaxfacts
• visit Health811 online or call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) for health advice and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Parents and guardians

• talk to your child’s family doctor, paediatrician or nurse practitioner

Help with the COVID‑19 vaccination portal or obtaining proof of vaccination

For help with booking an appointment using the COVID‑19 vaccination portal or obtaining proof of vaccination, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), available in more than 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.