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COVID-19

BOOK your vaccination

DO NOT leave isolation (have COVID-19 symptoms; tested positive OR someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive) to go to a vaccination appointment, walk-in or any other location. If you scheduled your appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system, you can cancel or change your appointment online or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. 

Book vaccine appointment through the provincial portal

For adult and/or paediatric first, second, third or booster doses use the online COVID-19 vaccination portal Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 for appointments at the following locations: 

  • Health unit community clinics (NOTE: Walk-ins MAY BE available for Simcoe Muskoka residents only based on daily clinic capacity. Please check our weekly walk-in schedule here.)
  • 29 Sperling Dr., Barrie COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic (NOTE: Walk-ins MAY BE available for Simcoe Muskoka residents 12 years or older based on daily clinic capacity. Please check our weekly walk-in schedule here).
  • Cottage Country Family Health Team in Gravenhurst 
  • Algonquin Family Health Team in Huntsville

Additional vaccination options

  • GO-VAXX clinics are now by appointment ONLY. Walk-ins will no longer be accepted.
  • Appointments available for booking at 8 a.m. the day BEFORE the GO-VAXX bus event. 
  • You may book an appointment online or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
  • Each GO-VAXX bus carries approximately 250 to 300 doses per day.
  • First, second and booster doses (if eligible) are available.

  

At this time, there are no GoVaxx bus locations in Simcoe Muskoka. We will put any dates and locations here as they are confirmed.

More information

  • For individuals 18 years of age and older, with a contraindication to mRNA vaccine or those who do not want to receive an mRNA vaccine, the Janssen vaccine and Astra Zeneca (AZ) is available upon special request. (Due to limited supply this vaccine is special ordered the 5 dose vials have to be used on the same day, so this will take some coordination and clients will be required to travel to a central location to receive the vaccine.)
  • If you belong to a special patient group make sure you receive education/counselling about getting vaccinated from a health care provider prior to booking your appointment.
  • For anyone coming to a community clinic that would benefit from accommodations or additional supports to ensure their clinic experience is a positive one, call Health Connection 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) ext. 5997 to speak to one of our staff; submit a request online (at least 48 hours before your appointment or by 2 p.m. Friday for weekend appointments) or arrive 15 minutes before the appointment and see the on-site clinic coordinator for assistance.
  • For those who are homebound and unable to leave their home, we would encourage you to check with any other health care provider that provides care to you in your home to see if they are able to provide your booster dose. If you don’t have any in home care providers or they are unable to provide vaccination, we are taking requests for homebound vaccination by calling Health Connection 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) ext. 5997 to speak to one of our staff or by submitting a request online. However, we have very limited capacity and will get to people as soon as we can but it will likely take us well into January and possibly February to complete home visits.
  • While there is enough mRNA vaccine in Ontario for everyone eligible to receive their booster, there is currently a limited supply of adult (12+) Pfizer available. Paediatric (5-11) Pfizer remains widely available. 
  • Those 30 years of age and older will be provided Moderna vaccine for their booster dose.
  • Those under 30 will continue to be offered Pfizer vaccine based on the NACI recommendation for Pfizer for this age group to further minimize the rare risk of adolescents and young adults experiencing myocarditis and/or pericarditis. 
  • Pfizer and Moderna are both mRNA vaccines. Since they use the same technology, they can be safely mixed and will provide a strong immune response that protects against severe illness. Combining vaccines from different manufacturers is not a new concept. This occurs when vaccine supply or public health programs change. Different vaccine products have been used to complete a vaccine series for influenza, hepatitis A, and others.
  • Some evidence already suggests Moderna produces somewhat higher antibody levels compared to Pfizer. Vaccination and boosters with Moderna may also provide longer-lasting protection against infection and severe illness. 
  • Omicron is spreading quickly through our community. Residents who wait for a preferred brand could put their and their family’s health at serious risk.

Some community partners are offering transportation services for those accessing a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. 

Many people have a fear of needles causing anxiety leading up to or when attending a vaccination appointment. We have gathered a few resources that you may find helpful in easing the fear of needles for children and adults.

DO NOT leave isolation (have COVID-19 symptoms; tested positive OR someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive) to go to a vaccination appointment, walk-in or any other location. If you scheduled your appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system, you can cancel or change your appointment online or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

  • Take any regular medication and eat meals as usual. 
  • Bring a list of any medications you are taking. 
  • Make sure to wear a loose fitting shirt that allows easy access to your upper arm. 
  • Please avoid applying any scented products (i.e. perfume, scented deodorant, body spray, etc.) the day of your appointment. Our clinics strive to be scent neutral for those individuals who are scent sensitive.
  • Bring your health card and/or any other form of identification as required. 
  • Bring assistive devices as needed (e.g. scooter, wheelchair, cane) 
  • Reading glasses and/or hearing aid, if required 
  • Bring your mask. 
  • One person can accompany a client to the vaccination clinic if they need assistance. Everyone needs to ensure they are following public health measures.
  • ONLY in the case where a substitute decision maker is filling out consent on behalf of someone getting the vaccine please read, fill out and bring the COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form with you to the vaccination.
  • You will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering into the clinic.
  • Wear your mask, clean/sanitize your hands, and practice physical distancing from others (at least 2 metres).
  • You will be asked to verbally provide your consent to acknowledge (feel free to ask questions at this time).
  • The collection, use and disclosure of personal health information

and;
That you understand and consent to data collection, use and disclosure 
and
You also have the choice to consent to being contacted about research studies related to the COVID-19 vaccine in the future. 

  • You will be required to wait 15 minutes (30 minutes for those with a history of severe allergies) after getting your vaccine to be sure you are feeling well.
  • You will be required to wait 15 minutes (30 minutes for those with a history of severe allergies) after getting your vaccine to be sure you are feeling well. 
  • Review the after care sheet you are provided.

Similar to other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects for some people. These usually last from a few hours to a few days after vaccination. Side effects are more likely to happen after the second dose. This is the body's natural inflammatory response or reaction, indicating that it's working hard to build immunity against the disease.

Examples of common side effects that have been reported for the COVID-19 vaccines include redness or swelling where the vaccine was given, tiredness/headache, muscle/joint pain, chills/fever, and diarrhea.

Very rare cases of blood clots with low platelets have been reported in those who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Learn more about this rare possible side effect.

Rare side effects

Serious side effects after receiving the vaccine are rare. Most serious reactions will occur shortly after injection, and clinic staff are prepared to help you if you have an allergic reaction should it occur. However, should you develop any of the following adverse reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine, seek medical attention right away or call 911 if needed. Rare serious side effects include allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing), very pale colour, serious drowsiness, high fever (over 40°C), convulsions or seizures, and numbness (pins and needles).

If you have a reaction that requires you to seek medical care, your healthcare provider will inform public health of any serious side effects after vaccination.

You can use a cool damp cloth where the vaccine was given to help with soreness. If needed, pain or fever medication (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may help with pain or fever.

Reporting an adverse reaction to a vaccine

If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. Any side effects that are greater than common side effects listed on your aftercare sheet from the immunization clinic or that are concerning to you should be reported to SMDHU Immunization Program at 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520). One of our staff will collect the information and advise you on next steps.

If you experienced side effects that were more severe than the common side effects after your first dose, make sure to tell the person providing the second dose about the side affects you experienced the first time.

Reported side effects are collected provincially, nationally and internationally and guidance about getting the vaccine is adjusted as required.

NEW: As announced by the Government of Canada, effective December 15, 2021 avoid non-essential travel outside Canada due to the risk of the Omicron variant that causes COVID-19.

Continue to avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada. To stay up to date on travel advisories visit their website. 

 

An individual is considered fully vaccinated if they have received:

  • A full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada , or any combination of such vaccines; or
  • One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or
  • Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada;

and they received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.

Countries such as the USA, UK and Germany, now recognize individuals with a mixed series of vaccines as being fully vaccinated. The Government of Canada is working with international partners to ensure the recognition mixed vaccination series. 

Refer to the federal government’s page - COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

2A Quick Reference Tool for Clients - General – To help build confidence and reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccination for your clients or patients

2A Quick Reference Tool for Clients - Youth – To help build confidence and reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccination for your clients or patients who are 12-17 years of age

Page Last Updated: January 19, 2022

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