Stay up to date on all COVID-19 vaccine doses
Keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 as vaccine protection can decrease over time.
Those aged 5 years of age and older who are receiving a booster dose should get a bivalent booster dose which provides protection against Omicron variant of concern, which is currently the most dominant strain of the virus in the country.
Where to get vaccinated? See the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-ins page for the City of Thunder Bay OR the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page for district communities.
Bivalent Booster Campaign
Bivalent booster doses are available to everyone 5 years of age and older.
Read on to learn more:
Bivalent vaccines are mRNA vaccines that target two different viruses or two strains of the same virus. The mRNA bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are an updated version of the original mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that targets the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant, which is currently the dominant variant in circulation in Ontario. Bivalent vaccines are now being administered as booster doses to eligible individuals.
These mRNA COVID-19 bivalent vaccines are formulated to better protect against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. They can also help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination.
The mRNA bivalent vaccines are only offered as a booster dose. This means that you must have completed your primary series to receive it.
Once you are eligible, no matter how many doses you have already had, you should get your mRNA bivalent booster dose.
THOSE AT HIGH RISK FROM COVID-19 ILLNESS should get the mRNA bivalent booster dose at a minimum of 3 months after their previous dose. Read on below to see if you are someone who is considered at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
ALL OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS should get a mRNA bivalent booster dose at the recommended interval of 6 months since their last dose and/or following a COVID-19 infection as evidence shows that longer intervals may provide a stronger and longer lasting immune response.
THOSE AT HIGH RISK FROM COVID-19 ILLNESS should get the bivalent booster dose at a minimum of 3 months after their previous dose. This includes those who are:
- 65 years and older
- residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and individuals living in other congregate settings aged 12 years and older
- individuals aged 12 years and older with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions who have spoken with a health care provider
- those 12 years and older with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19
- health care workers
- Health care workers are not at a higher risk of severe outcomes, unless they belong to another high-risk group. However, patient-facing health care workers who care for high-risk patients are recommended to be vaccinated to protect their vulnerable patients and all health care workers are recommended to be vaccinated to ensure health system capacity.
- pregnant individuals
- adults who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis and their adult non-Indigenous household members
- adults in racialized communities and/or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19
You can access the booster through all available channels which are listed at www.tbdhu.com/covidclinics or www.tbdhu.com/districtvaccines (for district communities)
Dose Eligibility
Health Canada has authorized two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for this age group: Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty.
Important to Note
- Mixing vaccines? It is recommended that this age group receive the same vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – for all doses in a primary series (e.g. first two doses for Moderna and 3 doses for Pfizer).
- • Timing with other vaccines? 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 older.
- Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
- Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 6 months of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
Time interval between doses
- Pfizer - 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose; 3rd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 2nd dose
- Moderna - 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
- Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
- Not eligible at this time.
Getting the vaccine
- Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-Ins for details OR the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page for district communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit “Max the Vax” for answers to frequently asked questions
I still have Questions
- Speak with your health care provider
- Contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service at sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult or 1-888-304-6558 to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids’ Registered Nurse
- Contact the Scarborough Health Network VaxFacts Clinic at shn.ca/vaxfacts or 416-438-2911, ext. 5738 to speak with a qualified physician
Health Canada has authorized two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for this age group: Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty.
Important to Note
- Mixing vaccines? It is recommended that this age group receive the same vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – for all doses in a primary series (e.g. first two doses).
- Recommended vaccine? Pfizer is recommended in this age group to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
- Timing with other vaccines? 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 older.
- Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
- Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 6 months of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
Time interval between doses
- 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
- Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
- Bivalent booster doses are recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness. The bivalent booster is the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine.
- Those who received a 2 dose series; recommended 6 months (168 days) after last dose
- Those who received a 3-dose series due to immunocompromised status; recommended 6 months (168 days) after the last dose. Individuals should speak to their health care provider to discuss optimal dose intervals.
Preparing for Immunization
- The following resources can help parents prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit “Max the Vax” for answers to frequently asked questions
I still have questions
- Speak with your health care provider
- Contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service at sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult or 1-888-304-6558 to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids’ Registered Nurse
- Contact the Scarborough Health Network VaxFacts Clinic at shn.ca/vaxfacts or 416-438-2911, ext. 5738 to speak with a qualified physician
Health Canada has authorized two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for this age group: Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty.
Important to Note
- Recommended vaccine? Pfizer is recommended for those in this age group to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
- Turning 12 before 2nd dose? Children who turn 12 by the time of their second dose will receive the adolescent/adult formulation to complete their primary series as it is the age appropriate dose.
- Timing with Other Vaccines? 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 5 and over.
- Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
- Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 6 months of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. See below for more information about getting vaccinated if eligible.
Time interval between doses
- 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
- Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
- Bivalent booster doses are recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness.
- Those who received a 2 dose series; recommended 6 months (168 days) after last dose
- Those who received a 3-dose series due to immunocompromised status; recommended 6 months (168 days) after the last dose but can be given a minimum of 3 months (84 days). Individuals should speak to their health care provider to discuss optimal dose intervals.
- Underlying medical condition that places the child at severe risk of COVID-19: recommended interval of 3 months (84 days); discuss with the child’s health care provider OR the health care provider administering the vaccine
Getting the vaccine
- Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-Ins for details OR the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page for district communities.
Preparing for Immunization
- The following resources can help parents prepare.
I still have questions
- Speak with your health care provider
- Contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service at sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult or 1-888-304-6558 to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids’ Registered Nurse
- Contact the Scarborough Health Network VaxFacts Clinic at shn.ca/vaxfacts or 416-438-2911, ext. 5738 to speak with a qualified physician
Learn more about the vaccines approved for this age group by visiting Health Canada’s dedicated webpage.
Important to Note
- Aged 18 to 29? Individuals 18-29 are recommended to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
- Timing with Other Vaccines? There is no waiting period required between the COVID-19 vaccine and other routine immunizations like the flu shot.
- Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
- Immunocompromised? Individuals six months of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. See below for more information about getting vaccinated if eligible.
Time interval between doses
- 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
- Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
- Booster doses are recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness.
- Both mRNA bivalent products are effective and provide good protection against circulating strains, therefore there is currently no preference. Individuals should receive the bivalent vaccine product available as soon as eligible.
- Please see the section at the top of the page for more information about the Bivalent Booster Campaign for those who are 18 years and older
Getting the vaccine
- Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-Ins for details OR the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page for district communities.