COVID-19 Vaccines

1-833-943-3900 1-866-797=0007 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired) The Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre is available in more than 300 languages, seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information, or to book an appointment, visit the VaxFacts website.

For more information, or to book an appointment, visit the SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service website.

Booster dose eligibility is continually being updated.

Please visit our Vaccine Booster Dose page to learn more about booster doses and up to date eligibility.

There are two different types of COVID-19 vaccines, mNRA vaccines and viral vector-based vaccines.

mNRA vaccines, including Pfizer and Moderna:

• mRNA vaccines tell the cells in our body to make the COVID-19 spike protein so our body will learn to recognize it as a foreign invader. This will train our immune system to fight against COVID-19.

Viral Vector-based vaccines, including AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)

• These vaccines use a modified, harmless version of COVID-19 to send information to our cells. This information tells our cells to make the COVID-19 spike protein so our body will learn to recognize it as a foreign invader. This will train our immune system to fight against COVID-19.

You may have some immunity from your infection, but experts do not know how long it will last. Due to the severity of COVID-19 and the chance of re-infection with the virus, the vaccine will help your body better fight the virus if you are exposed again, even if you have already had COVID-19.

At this time, it is recommended that individuals wait 60 days after an infection to receive a first or second dose and 168 days for a booster.

After getting vaccinated it is common and normal to have temporary side effects.

This is the body’s natural response as it is working with the vaccine to build protection against the disease.

Most of the common side effects for the COVID-19 vaccines are mild to moderate and will happen within the first 3 days after getting the vaccination, and will last for about 1-2 days. They include:

• Symptoms at the injection site: pain, redness, swelling
• Flu-like symptoms: headache, fatigue (feeling tired), muscle aches, joint pain, fever, chills

Even if you experience mild side effects, it is important to receive your next dose. You may get the same side effects with your next dose.

People who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or want to get pregnant in the future, are able to get a vaccine. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all stages of pregnancy. 

Recommendations from  the Provincial Council on Maternal and Child Health

Many people who are pregnant and have gotten sick with COVID-19, have experienced a more severe case of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and critical care. Getting vaccinated is safe and a great way to protect yourself and baby during pregnancy.

If you have questions about getting vaccinated while pregnant and the benefits compared to the risks of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your doctor or midwife.

For more information:

• Vaccination in pregnancy & Breastfeeding Patient Decision-Making Tool
• COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations

Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your baby including protecting your baby against illness by providing immunologic protection.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada recommends pregnant individuals should be offered vaccination at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding as long as there is no medical condition that is preventing them from being vaccinated.

If you have questions about getting vaccinated while breastfeeding and the benefits compared to the risks of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider.

For more information:

• Vaccination in pregnancy & Breastfeeding Patient Decision-Making Tool
• COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations

Children age 6 months to under 5 years are eligible to receive either the Paediatric Moderna vaccine or the Infant Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Visit our dedicated Vaccine Information for Children and Youth page for more information.

People of all levels of ability can get COVID-19. Some people with disabilities may be at higher risk of getting COVID-19. For example, those who require daily service provision or who reside in congregate care settings may be at higher risk.

Most people should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 resources supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, families and caregivers by Connectability

All people, aged 12+, living in Ontario are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

For information and resources, please visit our dedicated Temporary Foreign Agriculture Workers page.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives and knowledge sharing on COVID-19 vaccines resources by Women’s College Hospital, Maad'ookiing Mshkiki – Sharing Medicine

Information and resources from the Canadian Muslim COVID-19 Task Force

Information and resources from the Latin American COVID-19 Task Force.

Get to know the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine with help from the Government of Canada, including information about:

• The vaccine and its medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients
• How it works
• How it's given
• Possible Side Effects
• Vaccine safety
• And related links for more information

Get to know the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine with help from the Government of Canada, including information about:

• The vaccine and its medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients
• How it works
• How it's given
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine safety
• And related links for more information

Get to know the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine with help from the Government of Canada, including information about:

• The vaccine and its medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients
• How it works
• How it's given
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine safety
• And related links for more information

Get to know the Jansen COVID-19 Vaccine with help from the Government of Canada, including information about:

• The vaccine and its medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients
• How it works
• How it's given
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine safety
• And related links for more information

Get to know the Novovax COVID-19 Vaccine with help from the Government of Canada, including information about:

• The vaccine and its medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients
• How it works
• How it's given
• Possible side effects
• Vaccine safety
• And related links for more information

It is expected that Novovax will become available in Ontario at some point in mid to late March 2022.

A Product Monograph is a factual, scientific document on a drug product that describes the properties, claims, indications and conditions of use of the drug, and contains any other information that may be required for optimal, safe and effective use of the drug.  As of March 15, 2021, four COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use by Health Canada. We have collected the product monographs of the two COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved for use:

• Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
• AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
• Jansen COVID-19 Vaccine (from Johnson & Johnson)
• Novovax COVID-19 Vaccine