All Ontarians are encouraged to Stay Up to Date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Booster doses are recommended because over time, protection from COVID-19 vaccines will decrease. A booster reminds your immune system how to protect itself and helps improve vaccine effectiveness against severe illness.

High-risk groups are recommended to receive an additional COVID-19 booster if it has been at least 6 months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

High-risk groups consist of:

• Individuals aged 65 years and older;
• Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors;
• Individuals aged 18 years and older living in a congregate care setting for people with complex medical care needs;
• Pregnant individuals;
• Individuals aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
• Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older.

All individuals 5 years old and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster 6 months after their last dose or previous COVID-19 infection if they have not yet received a booster dose since September 1^st onwards.

 For more details on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and booster doses see: COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance.

Community Clinics

Appointments for COVID-19 immunizations can be booked online and by phone.

Online: To find and book an appointment for an upcoming clinic, select the clinic you are interested in visiting on our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Calendar and click “Book Now”. Follow instructions on the booking page.

Phone: Call 705-541-7370 or toll free at 1-888-440-3730 to book an appointment at a community clinic.

Pharmacies

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at select pharmacies across the Algoma district. Pharmacies can administer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 2 years of age and older. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations to find details on pharmacy near you.

Indigenous-Led Clinics

Please contact your community health centre or primary care provider for details on upcoming clinics.

While previous COVID-19 infection can provide some protection, staying up-to-date vaccination including booster doses is still recommended to provide longer-lasting protection and better effectiveness.

If you have had COVID-19, you are able to receive your next dose:

• 6 months after infection if receiving a booster dose
• 2 months after infection if completing a primary series

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death related to COVID-19.  Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines can also reduce the likelihood of developing post COVID-19 conditions, also known as long COVID.

COVID-19 vaccines are one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against the virus. Currently, Health Canada has approved six COVID-19 vaccines for safe and effective use in Canada.   

Vaccine product availability at Algoma Public Health offices and Local Pharmacies may vary over time.

Health Canada Approved Vaccines

Health Canada has approved the following COVID-19 vaccines for use in Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine
• Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 Vaccine
• AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 Vaccine
• Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
• Novavax Nuvaxvoid COVID-19 Vaccine
• Medicago Covidenz COVID-19 Vaccine 

While COVID-19 and seasonal flu may at times show similar symptoms, they are not caused by the same virus. This means that the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines are not the same, as they target and protect against different viruses.

Influenza viruses cause the flu, and each year flu vaccines are tailored to provide the best protection against the strain that is projected by evidence to be the most common that year. In contrast, the COVID-19 vaccine is designed specifically to target COVID-19 and its variants, and not influenza.

Since the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine protect against different viruses, they are both recommended for those who are eligible.

For individuals 6 months and older, COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time, or any time before or after, non-COVID-19 vaccines (including live and non-live vaccines). This means you can get your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

Only vaccines that meet the rigorous safety, effectiveness and quality standards of Health Canada are approved for use in Canada.

The safety of vaccines is carefully monitored, starting early in 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.

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.

The COVID-19 vaccine, like medications and other vaccines, may cause side effects. After being immunized, it is common and normal to have temporary side effects. These usually last from a few hours to a few days after vaccination. This is the body's natural response to a vaccine, as it is working hard to build immunity against COVID-19.

People react differently after being immunized. Even if you experience temporary side effects, keeping up to date on the vaccinations recommended for you is important. This will reduce your risk of serious outcomes related to COVID-19.

In clinical trials, most approved vaccine side effects reported were mild to moderate, and usually resolved within a few days.

Common COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

Some of the most common vaccine side effects include redness, soreness, and swelling at the injection site, and more general symptoms such as chills, fatigue, joint pain, headache, mild fever, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, and enlarged lymph nodes.

Long-Term Side Effects and COVID-19 Vaccines

Ongoing studies on the vaccines indicate no serious long-term side effects to date. People who have received the vaccine in studies continue to be monitored for any longer-term side effects.

There is no evidence that any vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant).

As with all vaccines, there is a very small, rare chance of a more serious side effect. Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, provincial health authorities, and vaccine manufacturers, as well as local public health, continuously monitor reports of side effects in Canada.

To learn more about rare reactions and COVID-19 Vaccines see the following Government of Canada resource:

• Rare reactions that have been reported

Allergic reactions are rare, but they do happen and are often treatable. If you experience an allergic reaction during or shortly after your COVID-19 immunization, speak with your health care provider or allergist prior to your next dose.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction usually occur shortly after to up to a few hours after vaccination. Some symptoms of an allergic reaction are:

• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• hives (bumps on the skin that are often itchy)  

If you develop or witness any serious allergic reactions, like anaphylaxis, after vaccination seek emergency services right away.

If after vaccination you experience any persistent or worsening symptoms, or a concerning side effect, contact 911 if an emergency with difficulty breathing, or contact your health care provider for follow-up.

Learn more about vaccine safety and side effects: Allergic reactions

History of fainting, dizziness, or fear of needles

Individuals with a fear of injections/needles are still encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

See CARD resource for ways to improve the vaccination experience for you and/or your child.

Want to talk to a health professional?

• Scarborough Health Network’s VaxFacts Clinic connects you with doctors who are ready to listen, talk, and help you get the most accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines. To book a free phone appointment, call 416-438-2911 ext. 5738 or book online.

• The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is offering COVID-19 Vaccine Consults with paediatric Registered Nurses to residents of Ontario aged 5 or older and their parents/guardians who have questions about COVID-19 vaccines. To book a free phone consult, call 437-881-3505 or 1-888-304-6558, or book online.

If you do not have a health care provider, you can speak with one of our public health nurses by calling 705-541-7370 or toll free at 1-888-440-3730.

See credible resources below:

• Health Canada’s COVID-19 Vaccine Page
• Health Canada’s Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines
• Government of Ontario’s COVID-19 Communication Resources
• The COVID-19 vaccine Chapter within the Canadian Immunization Guide

Resources for talking to kids about COVID-19

• (ENG) How to Talk to Kids about Getting Vaccinated
• (FR) How to Talk to Kids about Getting Vaccinated

More information for Kids

• Health Canada - Vaccines for children: COVID-19
• Health Canada - Get the facts: Vaccinating children against COVID-19