The vaccines are free for everyone. For people without a health card, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, Status Card, etc., can be used.
The Pfizer vaccine is licensed for use in people 16 years of age and older, including seniors. The Moderna vaccine is licensed for use in people 18 years of age and older.
Consult with your health care provider, if you:
are younger than 16 years of age (but between 12 to 15 years old);
are pregnant, want to become pregnant soon after vaccination, or breastfeeding;
have a autoimmune disorder or weakened immune system due to illness or treatment; or
have a bleeding problem, bruise easily.
Your health care provider will review the benefits and risks for your unique situation.
Limited doses of the vaccine available for health care workers in hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes, other congregate care settings and remote Indigenous communities.
(December - March 2021)*
Priority Groups:
Residents, staff, essential caregivers in congregate living settings for seniors (e.g. long-term care and retirement homes)
Health Care Workers
Including hospital employees, staff who work or study in hospitals and health care personnel
Adults in First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations
Adult recipients of chronic home health care
The approach and the groups chosen as first priorities are designated by the federal and provincial governments
Increasing stock of vaccines, available to all health care workers, residents in long-term care homes, retirement homes, home care patients with chronic conditions and additional Indigenous communities.
(March - July 2021)*
More doses become available to Ontario
Pending consultation, vaccinations will be expanded to Phase II Priority Groups
Priority Groups
Approximately 8.5 million people from the following groups will receive vaccines:
Older Adults
Starting aged 80+ and decreasing in five-year increments through Phase II - Phase III
High-risk congregate settings - workers, clients, and their caregivers
E.g. shelters, community living
Frontline essential workers
Including first responders, teachers and other education staff and the food processing industry
Other populations and communities facing barriers related to health determinants across Ontario at greater COVID-19 risk
Vaccines available widely across Ontario for anyone who wants to be immunized
(August 2021 and beyond, depending on availability of vaccines)*
Ontario will enter phase three when vaccines are available for everyone who wants to be immunized. The ethical framework, data and available vaccine supply will help to prioritize groups in this phase.
Who will be vaccinated?
Remaining Ontarians in the general population who wish to be vaccinated will receive the vaccine.
(Source: Health Canada) This video explains the vaccine development process and how it is possible to achieve a COVID-19 vaccine, with significant domestic and international collaboration, in a much shorter period of time.
The safety of vaccines is carefully monitored, starting early in the product development and continuing for as long as the vaccine is being used. Health Canada’s independent drug authorization process is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigorous review. Decisions are based only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective. The benefits must also outweigh any risks. For more information see Health Canada Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.
Health Canada only authorizes vaccines in Canada after a thorough and independent review of the scientific evidence. Once a vaccine is in use, Health Canada continues to monitor and can quickly have it removed if safety concerns are identified.
At this time Algoma Public Health has provided the first round of vaccines to our Long-Term Care Home residents and First Nation Elder Lodges. Until vaccines are widely available, it remains important to take steps to protect yourself, your loved ones and our community against COVID-19. This includes staying home as much as possible, keep two metres (six feet) distance from others, wearing your mask and washing your hands often.
Algoma Public Health will continue to provide updates as the situation changes.
Throughout the planning process Algoma Public Health has been working closely with its community partners across multiple sectors to ensure a safe and coordinated rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to Algoma-area residents. We have been working with representatives from: Ontario Health North, Algoma Ontario Health Team, Algoma’s Family Health Teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics, each of Algoma’s four hospitals, Algoma’s 21 municipalities, health partners from First Nation communities and health organizations, each of Algoma’s Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes and UIIP participating pharmacies.
A complete list based on sub-region can be found below:
The COVID-19 vaccine aims to prevent illness and limit transmission of the virus. As of December 9, 2020, the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech has been approved by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 16 years and older with some exceptions. As of December 23, 2020, the COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna has been approved by Health Canada for use in individuals 18 and older with some exceptions. Several COVID-19 vaccines developed by other pharmaceutical companies are still undergoing approvals. Learn more about the vaccine from the Government of Canada.
Will the vaccine be mandatory?
No. This vaccine will not be mandatory in Ontario, however highly recommended for all eligible individuals. A record of immunization of COVID-19 vaccine may be required for travel, employment or other purposes.
Who will be able to get vaccinated first?
Since there will be limited supply in the first few months of the vaccine program, some groups will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the early phases.
Early doses of the vaccine will be available for:
residents, staff, essential caregivers (including family caregivers) and other employees who work in congregate living settings providing care for seniors as they are at higher risk of infection and serious illness from COVID-19
health care workers, including hospital employees, other staff who work or study in hospitals and other health care personnel
adults in First Nations, Métis and Inuit populations where infection can have disproportionate consequences, including those living in remote or isolated areas where risk of transmission is high
adult recipients of chronic home health care
As further information becomes available from clinical trials and from Health Canada approvals, the groups for which the vaccines are authorized for use could change.
Will I have to pay for the vaccine?
No. Federal, provincial and territorial governments will work together to ensure that Canadians have equitable access to publicly funded pandemic vaccines for COVID-19.
Can you get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
You cannot get COVID-19 infection from the vaccine. The vaccine is not a live vaccine that does not cause the disease they are designed to prevent.
How is the vaccine administered?
The vaccine is given as a needle in the upper arm and will require two doses given 21 days apart.
What is the shot like?
The vaccine is provided in 2 doses by a needle in the upper arm. You should get the first dose as soon as possible and your second dose in 3 - 4 weeks – instructions will be provided to you. You get some protection after the first dose and the most after getting both doses.
How is the COVID-19 vaccine different from the flu vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine are very different and cannot be directly compared. They target different viruses: the flu vaccine has to combat several influenza viruses which mutate, while the COVID-19 vaccine targets just one virus, SARS-CoV-2.
Will people need to get the vaccine every year or is it just the two doses?
At this time, the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will only be administered in two doses, 21 days apart. And the Moderna, 28 days apart.
Do I need to continue to follow public health measures once I have received the vaccine?
Yes - continue to follow the advice of public health officials to prevent COVID-19, such as wearing a mask, and maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres from people outside of your household.
I have heard there are new strains of the COVID-19 virus. Is there information about the effectiveness of the existing vaccine on the new strain?
Currently, experts believe the vaccine will work with the new strain. There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will not be effective against the new strain, however this is currently being explored through studies.
What are the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine ingredients? Does it contain mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, or fetal cells?
No. It does not contain mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, or fetal cells
What are the common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
The most common side effects are mild to moderate. They include pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, chills and fever.
Even if you experience mild side effects, it is important to receive the second dose. You may get the same side effects with your second dose.
What is an mRNA vaccine and how does it work?
In general, messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA, tells our cells which proteins to make. The COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and it tells our cells to make proteins that are part of the coronavirus. These proteins are called “spike proteins”. Once made, spike proteins are recognized by our immune system as foreign and our system starts to create antibodies to clear our bodies of this foreign material. The immune system removes the mRNA from the vaccine and destroys the spike proteins with antibodies. Our immune system also remembers this foreign material. This means that if someone receives the COVID-19 vaccine, develops an immune response, and then gets the virus, their immune cells will be able to recognize and destroy the viruses before they can make the person sick.
Although COVID-19 mRNA (Health Canada) vaccines are new for use, mRNA vaccines are not unknown, researchers have been studying and working with them for decades. For more information, please watch the videos linked below:
I have heard that the COVID-19 vaccine was approved quickly. Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for use in approved populations. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Health Canada conducted an expediated, or rolling, approval process. This means that the vaccine was evaluated for safety and efficacy while it was being developed, and again when it was finalized. Though faster, all of the components of a routine approvals process were addressed.
Will the vaccine change my DNA?
No, the vaccine does not and cannot change your DNA in any way.
What are the longer-term side effects of this vaccine?
Ongoing studies on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines indicate no serious side effects found to date. People who have received the vaccine in studies continue to be monitored for any longer-term side effects.
No one is known to have died as a direct result of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly two million people have died globally from COVID-19.
Should I get a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Why should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
A vaccine is the only foreseeable way to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic will not end until the majority of Canadians are vaccinated. You can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community by getting vaccinated. While the vaccine will protect each of us individually, the primary goal of a vaccine program is to immunize the majority of the population so that COVID-19 can no longer spread.
The percentage of people that need to be vaccinated depends on how infectious the disease is and how effective the vaccine is at preventing spread of the disease.
The sooner a majority of Ontarians are vaccinated, the sooner our lives can return to normal.
When can the average person – someone who doesn’t qualify as a priority population or vulnerable to the virus, expect to receive the vaccine?
Over time, vaccine supply will increase so that all Algoma residents who wish to be immunized will have access to a vaccine. The Ethical Framework will guide Ontario’s decisions and recommendations when expanding vaccinations to those without underlying conditions and who are not most at risk. We are expecting to start vaccinating Algoma residents who are not part of Phase 1 or 2 populations by late summer, as part of Phase Three.
I think I should wait and see what happens to others
The sooner a majority of Ontarians are vaccinated, the sooner our lives can return to normal. We need a majority of Ontarians to be vaccinated to end the pandemic.
We are working to distribute the vaccine to every corner of the province as soon as we receive sufficient supply. To ensure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be vaccinated safely and quickly, it is important that people who have access the vaccine are vaccinated the first time it is offered to them.
Who should not get the vaccine?
People who have allergies to the COVID-19 vaccine ingredients should not be vaccinated.Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you are unsure.
People who have had a serious allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine (first dose) should not receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Right now, the following people should not routinely be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. If you believe you would benefit from being vaccinated talk to your doctor or health care provider.
Under 16
Pregnant women or those trying to get pregnant
People who are breastfeeding
People with compromised immune systems or autoimmune diseases
You should wait to get the vaccine if you are sick, have COVID-19 or got different vaccine in the past two weeks.
Can I still get the vaccine if I have existing health conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hepatitis, HIV)?
Yes. People with stable health conditions, including HIV, may be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as long they are not on medications that weaken the immune system. This also includes people with stable hepatitis B or C.
If I have had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need the vaccine?
Yes. There is some evidence to suggest that natural immunity from a COVID-19 illness may not last very long. It is best to get the vaccine to stay protected.
What if I’m breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding individuals may be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Breastfeeding individuals were excluded from the Phase III trials for the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, there is no data on the safety of the vaccines in lactating individuals or the effects of mRNA vaccines on the breastfed infant or on milk production.
For any individuals who are breastfeeding, the COVID-19 vaccine should be offered after counselling and informed consent that includes recognizing the insufficiency of evidence for the use of COVID-19 vaccine in the breastfeeding population.
So far, a vaccine has not been approved for children. Research is underway to determine when those under the authorized ages can receive the vaccine.
Can my employer force me to take the vaccine?
The vaccine is not mandatory in Ontario.
If I don’t take it now, will I get a chance later? Or will I be placed at the end of the line?
Our goal is to ensure that everybody across Ontario who is eligible and who wants the vaccine can get it. The sooner the majority of Ontarians are vaccinated, the sooner our lives can return to normal. The pandemic will not be under control until the majority of Canadians are vaccinated. To ensure we can vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated as safely and as quickly as possible, it is important that people who have access to the vaccine are vaccinated the first time it is offered to them.
I’m not high risk. COVID-19 isn’t that bad. I don’t need a vaccine.
Globally, nearly two million people have died of COVID-19 in less than a year. COVID-19 does not discriminate, and anyone can become sick from the virus.
Even if a healthy person does not die of COVID-19 infection, they may have long-term complications that impact their ability to experience normal life, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, muscle/joint pain, cognitive impairment, cough and loss of taste and/or smell.
Even if you are not high-risk, there are other individuals in your community who may be high-risk and immunocompromised, which means their immune systems are not strong enough to receive a vaccine. When a majority of the community is vaccinated, this protects individuals who are immunocompromised because it reduces the chances that a virus can spread throughout the community and infect that immunocompromised individual who could not receive the vaccine.
