This webpage has general information and answers to frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions. If you still need answers to your questions, please contact us by phone, 519.355.1071 x 1900 or email, covid19@chatham-kent.ca.
Last update March 21, 2022
COVID-19 can be a serious illness for many people and for some , symptoms can last for months. In Ontario, the predominant variant of concern is currently the Delta variant which is been shown to be more contagious. At this time, the majority of our cases since July 1, 2021 have been in those individuals who are unvaccinated.
Yes. 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.
Individuals can get vaccinated after infection when they no longer have any symptoms.
At this time, it is recommended for individuals to wait 30 days for a first/second dose after a COVID-19 infection and 90 days for a booster dose.
Yes, the vaccines are very effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms in people who get it. It is not known if you can still give the infection to someone that has not been immunized if you have been exposed to the virus. This is why it is important that you continue to follow the public health measures, even once you have been vaccinated.
Two vaccine doses are not as effective at preventing infections with the Omicron variant and all residents age 18+ are encouraged to get a booster dose as soon as possible.
Vaccines work by training your body’s immune system to recognize and fight a virus that causes a disease. To do this, a vaccine triggers an immune response by introducing parts of the virus into the body through vaccination.
By injecting a vaccine, your immune system safely learns to:
If the virus reappears, your immune system will recognize it and attack it before it can develop and cause sickness.
There are two different types of COVID-19 vaccines, mNRA vaccines and viral vector-based vaccines.
mNRA vaccines, including Pfizer and Moderna:
Viral Vector-based vaccines, including AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
Creating a new vaccine typically takes years. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed quicker than normal for many reasons, including:
Before any vaccines are available in Ontario, they:
Ontario’s plan to make sure vaccines remain safe for Ontarians includes:
Health Canada will continue to monitor all authorized vaccines to ensure they continue to be safe and effective.
None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain cells from aborted fetuses.
Something called human cell lines, which are different than actual human cells, are grown in a lab and used in the development of some vaccines (although removed before administration). Neither of the approved mRNA vaccines in Canada (Moderna and Pfizer) use human cells or human cells lines.
For more information, please see this information sheet:
No, the COVID-19 vaccine will not make you sick. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently approved use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
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:
Even if you experience mild side effects with the first dose, it is important to receive the second dose. You may get the same side effects with your second dose.
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 dose of either vaccine. You will be asked to stay 15 minutes after getting your shot so you can be monitored for a severe reaction and provided treatment in the rare case it is needed.
Signs of a serious allergic reaction include, but are not limited to:
If you experience side effects, call your health care provider or public health to seek medical advice. Vaccine side effects will be continually monitored as people receive the vaccine. Public health will keep track of the reported side effects to make sure the vaccine continues to be safe.
Viruses are always undergoing changes or mutations and scientists are constantly monitoring for these.
The Omincron variant has been shown to be much more contagious then previous variants. At this time, two vaccine doses are not as effective at preventing infections. Ontario has prioritized booster doses for all residents 18+ which offer greater protection against this variant.
Data from the BORN Information System was recently used to explore outcomes for pregnant individuals (and newborns) following COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
97,500+ pregnant people in Ontario gave birth from December 14, 2020 to September 30, 2021
Findings
Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 2022
Mixing vaccines from different manufactures is not a new idea. Vaccine series for influenza, hepatitis A, and others have been completed with different vaccine products.
All vaccine options for second doses (and booster doses), including vaccine mixing (AstraZeneca with mRNA vaccines and switching between mRNA vaccines), are:
The vaccine is given by a needle in the upper arm. Some vaccines require two doses, which are given at two separate times. If you require a second dose, instructions will be provided to you at the time you receive your first dose. At this time, Ontario is extending second doses with a few exemptions. Please read ‘When will I get my Second Dose?’ for more information.
You do not have to wait to receive another vaccine before or after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
At this time, only children ages 5-11 are recommended to wait 14 days between vaccination doses when get vaccinated for COVID-19.
In order to receive a vaccination at a CK Public Health clinic individuals are required to pass the Ontario Self Assessment screening.
If you do not pass the screening please reschedule your appointment.
You should not get vaccinated if you:
If you are concerned about whether you are able to get the vaccine because of a medical condition you have, talk to your health care provider.
Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past. They will look at your medical records and help you make the decision.
Please talk with your physician or healthcare provider to learn if it is safe for you to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes. When you are eligible to get the vaccine, you will not be turned away because you do not have a health card or Government issued ID.
COVID-19 vaccines have been found very effective in preventing COVID-19, however, there is still a chance that some people may get COVID-19 even after they are vaccinated. There are a number for this, including:
All of this means that we need to continue to follow public health measures including washing your hands, staying home when sick, maintaining physical distancing, and wearing a face mask as appropriate, even after receiving both doses of the vaccine.
Yes. The vaccines are not 100% effective and transmission after vaccination is unknown at this time, so it may still be possible to pass the virus on to others. To help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect those who are not yet vaccinated or who are unable to get vaccinated, it is important that anyone who develops symptoms gets tested and continues to isolate.