Covid-19 vaccinations: To book a COVID-19 immunization appointment or to find out about walk-in opportunities, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments page.
Dose Information: For information on all doses, including eligibility and dose intervals, see the COVID-19 Vaccine Doses page.
On this Page:
- Ask Your Vaccine Questions
- Approved Vaccines
- Vaccine Safety
- Getting Vaccinated
- Vaccine Information for Certain Groups, including:
- People who are pregnant, breastfeeding or chestfeeding
- those who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario
- International students
The Ministry of Health's COVID-19 vaccines website also has a lot of helpful information.
Ask Your Vaccine Questions
Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? This is understandable as there is a lot of information out there and it can be challenging to navigate it all. Thankfully, there are services available that can provide one-on-one help. Choose the service that’s most appropriate for you.
Call (807) 625-5900 (ext. 5108 or press 4 when prompted) to speak to a nurse between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday or email vaccines@tbdhu.com.
Contact Ask a Nurse if you:
- have a questions about the safety or effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines and can’t find credible information elsewhere.
- are an international student or someone who has been immunized in another province/country and have questions about recording vaccines in Ontario or if you qualify as fully vaccinated.
- have unique circumstances and would like to discuss options for accommodating your vaccine appointment.
Visit Scarborough Health Network's Vax Facts page to book an appointment for a one-on-one phone consultation with a qualified SHN doctor or call (416) 438-2911 ext. 5738 to register by phone.
Contact the SHN VaxFacts Clinic if you:
- have a complex medical history or medical condition and would like to consult with a doctor regarding your personal situation.
Approved Vaccines
All COVID-19 vaccines are fully approved by Health Canada.
Public Health Agency of Canada monitors the ongoing safety and effectiveness of all approved vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines. In Ontario, all reported adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are tracked and made public. Once the product is on the market, the manufacturers are legally required to submit reports of adverse events to Health Canada.
Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are less effective at preventing Omicron infections, compared to protection against other variants of concern; however, a booster dose increases short-term protection against symptomatic Omicron infection. As well, vaccinations appear to be effective in reducing hospitalizations and death. Research is ongoing.
See the tabs below for more information on each COVID-19 vaccine.
For information on the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, how it's given, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit Health Canada's Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 Vaccine page.
Additional information on mRNA vaccines can be found from Public Health Ontario's What You Need to Know About mRNA Vaccines fact sheet.
For information on the Moderna Spikevax vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, how it's given, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit Health Canada's Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 Vaccine page.
Additional information on mRNA vaccines can be found from Public Health Ontario's What You Need to Know About mRNA Vaccines fact sheet.
For information on the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, how it's given, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit Health Canada's AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 Vaccine page.
Additional information on viral vector vaccines can be found from Public Health Ontario's What You Need to Know About Viral Vector Vaccines fact sheet.
For information on the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine page.
The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine is available as a primary series to those who are 18 years of age or older who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA vaccine or the Novavax vaccine. It is also available as a booster dose to those 18 years of age or older. For more information on viral vector vaccines such as the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, please read Public Health Ontario's What You Need to Know About Viral Vector Vaccines fact sheet.
Requests for the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine can be made by contacting TBDHU:
- In Thunder Bay by calling (807) 625-5900 (or toll-free at 1-888-293-6630) or emailing vaccines@tbdhu.com.
- In District Communities by contacting your local branch office.
Once contact with TBDHU has been made, names and phone numbers will be taken. TBDHU will follow up once guidance and supply from the Ontario Ministry of Health are received.
If you have an allergy or contraindication to an mRNA vaccine, please speak to your health care provider or allergist.
For information on the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, how it's given, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit Health Canada's Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 Vaccine page.
The Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine is available as a primary series to those who are 12 years of age or older who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA vaccine. It is also available as a booster dose to those 18 years of age or older. For more information about protein subunit vaccines such as Nuvaxovid, please read Public Health Ontario’s Focus on COVID-19 Vaccines: Protein Subunit Vaccines factsheet.
Requests for the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine can be made by contacting TBDHU:
- In Thunder Bay by calling (807) 625-5900 (or toll-free at 1-888-293-6630) or emailing vaccines@tbdhu.com.
- In District Communities by contacting your local branch office.
Once contact with TBDHU has been made, names and phone numbers will be taken. TBDHU will follow up once guidance and supply from the Ontario Ministry of Health are received.
If you have an allergy or contraindication to an mRNA vaccine, please speak to your health care provider or allergist.
For information on the Medicago Covifenz vaccine, including authorized age, ingredients, how it works, how it's given, possible side effects and vaccine safety, visit Health Canada's Medicago Covifenz page.
For more information about plant-based vaccines such as Covifenz, please read the Government of Canada’s web page on COVID-19 plant-based vaccines.
Interchangeability of mRNA Vaccines
Individuals can safely receive different mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax) for their first, second and subsequent doses depending on their age. Children from the ages of 6 months to 11 years are recommended to receive the same vaccine for all doses in a primary series. Individuals aged 12 years and older may be administered vaccines interchangeably.
Mixing of mRNA vaccines is reasonable given the similarity of these vaccines in their mechanism of action, side effect profile and effectiveness against severe COVID-19 infection.
Mixing mRNA vaccines supports individuals in getting fully immunized and receiving their booster doses more quickly and conveniently. This also helps offset issues related to vaccine supply and delivery.
Individuals are encouraged to get any dose they are eligible for as soon as they are able, and to get the vaccine available at the clinic most convenient for them, regardless of which mRNA vaccine is offered at that clinic.
Interchangeability of mRNA and other vaccines
Individuals who received doses of a non-mRNA vaccine (such as Novavax or Johnson & Johnson) and who are not allergic to mRNA vaccines have the option of receiving mRNA vaccines to complete their primary series or as booster doses. mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are recommended over non-mRNA vaccines due to the excellent protection they provide against severe illness and hospitalization, and their well-known safety profiles.
Individuals should have a discussion with their health care provider to determine what choice is right for them. They can also consult the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for more information.
Vaccine Safety
The COVID-19 vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 or any other infectious disease.
It is important to remember that it typically takes a few weeks for the human body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it is possible for a person to become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. Even if you receive the vaccine, please continue to follow the public health measures to keep you, your loved ones and your community safe.
Ingredients in the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines that are available in Ontario can be found on the Government of Canada webpages:
The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are similar to those of other vaccines. They are mostly mild or moderate and usually go away within a few days after immunization. Common side effects include things like pain at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired, and feeling feverish. These types of side effects are expected and simply indicate the vaccine is working to produce protection.
As with all vaccines, there is a chance that there will be a serious side effect, but these are rare. However, should you develop any of the following reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine, seek medical attention right away or call 911:
- 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 (e.g. “pins and needles” or numbness)
If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider, who can assess and report it if necessary.
If you still need to receive a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, tell the person providing the vaccine about any side effects you experienced following any other doses.
As with any medicines and vaccines, allergic reactions are rare but can occur after receiving a vaccine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives (bumps on the skin that are often very itchy), swelling of your face, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing.
Most serious reactions will occur shortly after injection, and clinic staff are prepared to manage an allergic reaction should it occur. If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your health care provider.
Allergic reactions to the vaccine components are possible. The components of each vaccine are available:
Getting Vaccinated
Those who have previously been infected with COVID-19 can receive any of the doses they are eligible for.
Due to the severe health risks associated with COVID-19 and the fact that re-infection with COVID-19 is possible, people should still get a COVID-19 vaccine even if they have been sick with COVID-19 before.
Being infected with COVID-19 may provide an individual with short term protection, but it is important to still get the vaccine, especially with the presence of variants of concern.
Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
Based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live or non-live vaccines for anyone age 6 months and over.
TBDHU can provide the COVID-19 vaccine to those without an OHIP or Ontario Health Card. Please call (807) 625-5900 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630 to make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
For instructions on how to download your enhanced vaccine certificate, visit our Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination page.
Visit our Dose Information page for resources listed by age group.
Vaccine Information for Individuals
Anyone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are recommended at any stage in pregnancy (including first trimester), as COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can be severe, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. People who are pregnant should get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Spring 2023 if it has been at least 6 months from their last dose or COVID-19 infection.
It is recommended, but not required, that pregnant individuals have a discussion with their treating health care provider, or with a health care provider familiar with their pregnancy, that includes:
- a review of the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine,
- a review of the risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy,
- a review of the potential risks /consequences associated with a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, and
- an acknowledgment of the limited evidence from clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in the pregnant population.
Please Note:
- A letter from a health care provider is not required for vaccination.
For Additional Information
- COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy - Ontario Ministry of Health
- COVID-19: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Newborns - TBDHU
- Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy. (PDF)
- BORN: COVID-19 Immunizations and Pregnancy (various languages available)
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for the breastfeeding or chestfeeding person, and should be offered to those eligible for vaccination. Recent data shows that mRNA from vaccines do not transfer into breast or chest milk. Anti-COVID-19 antibodies produced by the breastfeeding or chestfeeding person have been shown to transfer through breast or chest milk and provide protection to their infant.
For Additional Information
- COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnancy - Ontario Ministry of Health
- COVID-19: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Newborns - TBDHU
Information on vaccines for this age group can be found on the Dose Information page.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Ontario Ministry of Health is recommending that individuals aged 6 to 29 be immunized with the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine. This is due to an observed increase in Ontario of the very rare heart condition called pericarditis/myocarditis following vaccination with Moderna Spikevax compared to Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty in this age group, particularly among males.
Individuals who received Moderna Spikevax for their first dose can safely take the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine for their second and subsequent doses. Mixing vaccines is safe and effective.
All individuals age 6 to 29 who choose to receive Moderna Spikevax must provide informed consent and understand the increased risk of myocarditis/pericarditis for their age group.
Vaccination is highly recommended and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks, especially with the presence of variants of concern.
Pericarditis/Myocarditis
Myocarditis/pericarditis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines remains rare, even among the age groups with the highest observed rates of this event, and COVID-19 vaccines continue to be recommended to prevent COVID-19 disease, which also includes a risk of myocarditis.
A small number of cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been identified in Ontario. The majority of these reported cases have been mild with individuals recovering quickly, normally with anti-inflammatory medication. Symptoms have typically been reported to start within one week after vaccination, more commonly after the second dose.
Please seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms of myocarditis/pericarditis develop after receiving the vaccine:
- chest pain or feelings of tightness
- shortness of breath
- heart palpitations (pounding or racing heart)
- feeling of a rapid or abnormal heart rhythm
As a precaution, individuals who experienced the rare myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Public Health Agency of Canada) should wait to get their second dose until more information is available.
All vaccines used in Ontario have been approved by Health Canada and are safe and effective.
Please visit our Proof of Vaccination page for more information.