COVID-19 vaccines are available to all 6 months and older, and booster doses to all aged 5+.

To locate a Community Clinic or Pharmacy for COVID-19 Vaccinations see: Where can I get my COVID-19 Vaccine?

Employers have a responsibility, as per the Occupational Health & Safety Act, to maintain a safe work environment for their employees. Employers should assess the risks of exposure to COVID‑19 in their workplace and identify appropriate control measures.

• Enhanced workplace health and safety.
• Reduced risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death related to COVID-19 among employees who are vaccinated.
• Reduced employee absences due to illness and associated requirements for isolation.
• Sustained workplace productivity and minimized risk for disruptions. 
• Boosted workplace morale and confidence associated with safe working conditions.
• Maintained client/customer health and safety.

Some examples of actions employers can take to show their support for vaccination in the workplace include, but are not limited to:

• Acting as a vaccine champion in the workplace, by setting an example getting fully vaccinated and staying up to date with booster doses.
• Building trust, by listening and acknowledging employees concerns, answering questions, and encouraging employees to speak with their healthcare provider.
• Sharing credible information (e.g., This is Our Shot, 19 to Zero, World Health Organization, Health Canada, and Algoma Public Health).
• Making vaccination as easy as possible – post information about where to find locations for vaccination.
• Responding with empathy towards those who are frustrated, ashamed, or guilty towards their vaccination status to build trust and help find the answers they need to build confidence.

Individual Consults Are Available

• The VaxFacts Clinic is available to all Canadians who would like to consult 1:1 with a qualified physician to get questions answered by the COVID-19 vaccine. You can book an appointment to do a phone call with doctors who are ready to talk, listen and help you get the most accurate information. You can visit the VaxFacts website or call 416-438-2911 ext. 5738 to book an appointment.

For more information on forming a COVID-19 vaccine policy, see templates and samples below.

• City of Toronto: COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Employers
• Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: Recommendations for workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies

Updating proof of vaccination requirements can be an important part of the sustained effectiveness of a workplace vaccination policy.

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is an essential part of protecting yourself and maintaining a safe workplace.

Workplaces are recommended to have employees provide proof of vaccination for a primary series, and can continue to update this information with each additional booster dose.

To learn more about the importance of booster doses see Booster doses and Staying Up-to-Date with COVID-19 Vaccinations section of APH’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage.

COVID-19 Vaccine Receipt

You or your employee(s) can receive a copy of you vaccination receipts online, on-demand. Receipts are available for all doses received in Ontario regardless of where you were vaccinated. Once employees have received an additional booster dose, they should re-print their updated vaccine receipt with the additional dose in order to “stay up to date” on COVID-19 vaccines in the workplace.

Online and On-Demand

You can view, download, and print your own vaccine receipts and enhanced vaccine certificates on demand at www.covid19.ontariohealth.ca

To log in and get your receipt, you will need:

• a green photo health (OHIP) card(you will need numbers from both the front and back of the card, expired cards will be accepted)
• your date of birth
• your postal code (the one associated with your health card)

You can still request a copy by emailing Algoma Public Health at records@algomapublichealth.com or by calling 705-541-7370 or toll-free at 1-888-440-3730.

Requests submitted to Algoma Public Health can take up to 5 business days.

For unvaccinated workers, a combination of provisions may be possible to include within a workplace vaccination policy.

Workplaces may require documented proof of medical exemption, unvaccinated staff complete education modules, participation in routine rapid antigen testing, or a combination of all provisions. See resources and additional information on each option below.

Proof of Medical Exemption

Medical exemptions are infrequent due to the high safety profile of Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccines and should be supported by medical consultation.

Additional Resources:

• Ministry of Health: Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination

Education Modules

Some publicly available education programs being used to educate on COVID-19 vaccines are listed below.

COVID-19 Education Modules and Courses:

• Virtual Module: Eastern Ontario Health Units COVID-19 Vaccination Education Session
• Virtual Module: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre: COVID-19 Vaccine: Make an Informed Decision!
• Education Series: University of Toronto: COVID-19 vaccination in Canada: An educational series for primary care professionals

Rapid Antigen Testing

Rapid antigen screening tests allow workplaces to proactively identify cases of COVID-19 that may have otherwise been missed, supporting employee safety and business continuity. Frequent screening (2-3 times/week) with rapid antigen tests increases the chances of early detection of COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals.

Test kits are available from:

• Provincial Antigen Screening Program – Check eligibility and apply
• Participating Ontario Chamber of Commerce – Available for small and medium-sized businesses under 150 employees
• Shoppers Drug Mart Locations – With a $14 handling fee for every box of 25 tests

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures are needed alongside vaccination to prevent transmission and outbreaks in the workplace. These measures include but are not limited to:

• Daily screening for workers and clients.
• Frequent hand washing and sanitizing stations.
• Visible signage on screening, distancing, hand washing, and masking.
• Record keeping of employees and clients/patrons during each shift.
• Record keeping of locations that workers visit offsite.
• Masking.
• Physical distancing (e.g. distancing workspaces and desks (2m/6ft apart); distancing social areas, especially where unmasked)
• Engineering controls (e.g. barriers between customers and employees, physical distancing markers on the floor)
• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
• Promoting excellence in hand hygiene, cough, and sneezing etiquette.
• Enhancing the cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.
• Conducting routine IPAC audits and employee education.

Additional Resources

Consider if and how your workplace applies the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s Hierarchy of Controls for Controlling COVID-19 in the Workplace:

• Infographic (PNG)
  
• Detailed Table (PDF)

Important safety tips and suggestions for within the workplace:

• Remind staff to stay home when sick.
• Provide paid sick days for staff.
• Provide work from home options where possible for staff who are sick but able to or are still wanting to work.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
• COVID-19 vaccines and what it means for employers
  
• COVID-19 vaccines and workplace health and safety
• COVID-19: Vaccination awareness resources
  
• What to expect when you get a COVID-19 vaccine