COVID-19 Vaccines

Eligibility

• The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends a dose of the XBB.1.5 containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for individuals 6 months and older in the fall of 2023.
• If you have been previously vaccinated for COVID-19 and it has been six months since your last dose or last known COVID infection, you are eligible for one dose of an XBB.1.5-contianing COVID-19 vaccine this fall.
• If you have not been previously vaccinated for COVID-19, you are eligible to receive an XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 8 weeks since your last known COVID infection

For more information, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Health

Beginning October 2023, priority appointments will become available for the following high-risk groups:

• Residents, staff, and caregivers in Long-Term Care Homes, Elder Care Lodges, Retirement Homes, and other congregate living settings
• Pregnant individuals
• Individuals 65 years of age and older
• Individuals who identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Metis community and their household members
• Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities
• Healthcare workers and first responders

(The general population will become eligible approximately around October 30, 2023)

How to access your enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code

• Your enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code can be accessed HERE 
• This record includes all COVID-19 vaccines received in Ontario and can be saved electronically to your mobile device or printed.

If you do not have an Ontario Health Card or have issues accessing your vaccine certificate, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-800-797-0007), available in over 300 languages, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Received a COVID-19 vaccine outside Ontario?

If you received a COVID-19 vaccine out of province, you can contact Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit at 519-355-1071 or visit our clinic location at 177 King St E, Chatham. After verifying your records, you can then access your Ontario vaccine certificate with QR code.

Children, parents, and guardians 

• https://www.shn.ca/vaxfacts/
• CARD for Parents | immunizecanada
• Preparing your child for immunization (English)
• Preparing you child for immunization (French)
• COVID-19 vaccine for children and youth | Caring for kids (cps.ca)
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/vaccination-children/covid-19.html

Those pregnant or breastfeeding

• COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy | ontario.ca
• COVID-19 Vaccines and Fertility (publichealthontario.ca)

Resources from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada

• COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy – Pregnancy Info
• SOGC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy

Moderately the severely immunocompromised individuals 

Some individuals with immunocompromising conditions may require additional vaccine doses to achieve adequate immunity. Please consult your treating healthcare provider to discuss your individual vaccine schedule.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine can be given the same day or anytime before or after other vaccines, including the flu shot. The exceptions to this are the Arexvy RSV vaccine (recommended 2 week waiting period) and the Imvamune Mpox vaccine (recommended 4 week waiting period)

How long to wait after having COVID-19 before receiving a vaccine?

If you have previously been vaccinated for COVID-19 it is recommended to wait a period of six months after infection to receive another COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have not been previously vaccinated for COVID-19 it is recommended to wait 8 weeks from infection before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

*A previous COVID-19 infection is defined as confirmation by a PCR or Rapid Antigen test or symptomatic illness with a household contact.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccines?

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 have experienced mild side effects with previous doses it is still important to receive recommended future doses.

In very rare cases, the COVID-19 vaccines could cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). A serious allergic reaction would usually occur shortly after receiving a vaccine dose. You will asked to stay for an observation period after receiving you vaccine to be monitored for reactions and provided treatment in the rare case it is needed.

Signs of a serious reaction include, but are not limited to,

Trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth and throat, hoarseness or wheezing, hives (a bad rash all over your body), a fast heartbeat, convulsions (seizures), high fever (over 40⁰C or 104⁰F)

If you experience severe side effects, call your healthcare provider or public health to seek further advice. Public health monitors vaccine side effects to ensure continued vaccine safety.

Can I receive a different brand of COVID-19 vaccine than I’ve received in the past?

• Mixing vaccines from different manufacturers is not a new idea. Vaccine series for influenza, hepatitis A, and others have been completed with different vaccine products.
• Regardless of what brand you received for previous COVID-19 vaccine, any Health Canada approved vaccine can be used for future doses

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Creating a new vaccine typically takes years. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed quicker than normal for many reasons, including:

• • • being informed by decades of research on other strains of coronavirus prior to COVID-19, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Sars-CoV (SARS)
    • an historic amount of money being invested into research
    • research and testing happening at the same time instead of in steps
    • more people signing up for vaccine trials than typically do for other vaccines.
  • Before any vaccines are available in Ontario, they:
    • undergo rigorous clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective
    • are evaluated and authorized for use by Health Canada, using rigorous standards
  • Ontario’s plan to make sure vaccines remain safe for Ontarians includes:
    • Securely and safely transporting and storing vaccines at required conditions and temperatures
    • Establishing safe clinic spaces to give people immunizations, including providing the required training to those administering vaccines
    • Monitoring for any adverse reactions or side effects that may occur after vaccination and taking appropriate measures
  • Health Canada will continue to monitor all authorized vaccines to ensure they continue to be safe and effective

Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective against the new strains (variants of concerns) of the virus?

1.5-containing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to offer better protection against newer variants compared to previous COVID-19 vaccines, similar to the annual updates seen with the annual influenza vaccine.

What happens after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be very effective at preventing COVID-19; however, there is still a chance that some people may get COVID-19 even after they are vaccinated. Therefore, it is still important to continue to follow other public health measures including washing your hands, staying home when sick, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing a face mask as appropriate.

If I feel sick, should I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

In order to receive a vaccination at a CK Public Health clinic, individuals are required to pass the Ontario Self Assessment Screening. If you feel unwell, please reschedule your appointment.

Additional Resources

Hear directly from experts on various COVID-19 vaccine questions

Ask the experts COVID-19 vaccines questions: Safety, ingredients and side effects - Canada.ca

Find more information on any Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine here

Still have questions? Call 519-355-1071 extension 1900 to speak to a public health nurse