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COVID-19

Get vaccinated

As many respiratory viruses are circulating this winter, it is recommended that you stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. Staying up to date means you have received your primary series and at least one COVID-19 booster dose (original or bivalent) on or after September 1, 2022. The Ministry of Health constantly reviews new evidence regarding COVID-19 vaccines, including recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and Health Canada. In light of the recently released  NACI guidance on COVID-19 booster doses, Ontario will continue to monitor new data on an ongoing basis and reassess decisions as new information emerges. Ontario anticipates responding to the recent NACI updates in the coming weeks.

The interval between doses depends on the vaccine you receive, your age, your health status and if you recently had a COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 booster doses are available for everyone aged five and over to help restore protection that may have decreased since your last dose. Booster doses help give protection from severe illness, long term COVID-19 symptoms, and hospitalization.

If you have had a COVID-19 infection you should still get the booster dose. It is recommended to get a booster dose if it has been between three and six months after symptom onset or a positive test, However, waiting six months may provide a better immune response.

Children aged six months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after other vaccines, including the flu vaccine. Parents and caregivers should discuss vaccination with their health care provider to determine the best timing for COVID‑19 vaccination.

Quick links:

You are required to wear a mask when you attend a Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit community vaccination clinic. Masks are available at the entrance to all our clinics.

 

Barrie Community Clinic

This clinic is operated in partnership by Royal Victoria Regional Health Center (RVH) and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Location:  29 Sperling Drive, Barrie

  • Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesdays, and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Appointments encouraged and walk-ins welcome upon availability

To book an appointment use the COVID-19 vaccination portal or the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (1-833-943-3900).

 

Orillia Community Clinic

Location: Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Kiwanis Building - West Entrance 170 Colborne St. W., Orillia

To book an appointment at this clinic visit Couchiching Ontario Health Team Clinic.

Pop-up clinics offer the following: 

  • Primary Doses for eligible people 6 months+
  • Booster Doses for eligible people 5 years+

Some pop-up clinics are walk-in based. If there are appointments available they can be accessed through the provincial booking system by visiting the COVID-19 vaccination portal or calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

 

Friday, March 24, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley St., Wasaga Beach 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Pop-up clinic: Severn Township Library, 31 Coldwater Rd., Coldwater 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Port Carling Legion, 3 Bailey St., Port Carling 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Pop-up clinic: Collingwood Public Library, 55 Ste. Marie St., Collingwood 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Penetanguishene Public Library, 24 Simcoe St., Penetanguishene 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Pop-up clinic: Essay Public Library - Thornton Branch, 34 Robert St., Thornton 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, March 31, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Orillia Common Roof, 169 Front St. S., Orillia 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Monday, April 3, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Tottenham Public Library, 139 Queen St. N., Tottenham 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Springwater Public Library, 12 Finlay Mill Rd., Midhurst 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Lagoon Pier One Resort, 1 Poplar Cres., Brechin 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Pop-up clinic: Gravenhurst Public Library, 180 Sharpe St. W., Gravenhurst 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Pop-up clinic: Victoria Harbour Library, 145 Albert St., Victoria Harbour 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m

Thursday, April 6 ,2023

  • Pop-up clinic: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley St., Wasaga Beach 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

UPDATED: GO-VAXX clinics offer the following: 

  • Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 boosters for ages 5+
  • 1st & 2nd mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses for ages 5-11 (Pfizer)
  • 1st and 2nd mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses for adults and youth ages 12+ (by appointment only)

 Available through appointments or walk-in (while supplies last).

To book an appointment, visit the COVID-19 vaccination portal or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

PLEASE NOTE: The last day of GO-VAXX bus events will be March 31st, 2023.


Saturday, March 25, 2023

  • GO-VAXX Bus: Bracebridge SportsPlex, 110 Clearbrook Trail, Bracebridge 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • GO-VAXX Bus: Gravenhurst Centennial Centre, 101 Centennial Dr., Gravenhurst 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 26, 2023

  • GO-VAXX Bus: Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, 3817 County Rd. 4, Badford 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

  • GO-VAXX Bus: Gateway Casino Innisfil, 7845 5th Sideroad., Innisfil 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

  • GO-VAXX Bus: Collingwood Homehardware, 104 High St., Collingwood 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Appointments are available to get your COVID-19 vaccine at one of our health unit offices listed below.

All Health Unit office clinics offer the following vaccine:

  • Primary Doses for eligible people 6 months+
  • Booster Doses for eligible people 5 years+

To book an appointment use the COVID-19 vaccination portal or the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (1-833-943-3900).

We are not accepting walk-ins at our health unit office locations.

PLEASE NOTE: All persons attending an appointment at our office locations will be required to wear a mask. Masks will be made available at the entrance.

Locations Include:

Collingwood: 280 Pretty River Parkway

Cookstown: 2-25 King St. South

Gravenhurst: 2-5 Pineridge Gate

Huntsville: 34 Chaffey St.

Midland: A-925 Hugel Ave.

Orillia: 120-169 Front St. South

Click here to find your closest pharmacy to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow walk-ins. Check with the pharmacy before you go.

Preparing for your appointment

The following community partners are offering transportation services for those accessing a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Eligibility for each service may differ.

Bradford: Bradford West Gwillimbury Transit

County of Simcoe: CT Link- Request a ride to your COVID vaccination appointment. Some transportation providers may have specific eligibility criteria. Please use the search to find out if you are eligible.)

District of Muskoka:  Community Transit

North Simcoe: Transportation Linking Communities (TLC)

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 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, the health unit is taking requests by calling Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for homebound vaccination.

  • All persons attending a Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit community, office or school-based vaccination clinic will be required to wear a mask. Masks will be made available at the entrance to all our clinics.

  • Bring your health card or if you don't have one, bring a form of identification and proof of address (e.g. driver's license, passport or utility bill).
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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.

 
Like 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.

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.

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.

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 vaccination 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.

Page Last Updated: March 24, 2023

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