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COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine remains the best defence against COVID-19 as it reduces the risk of infection, long-term complications (long COVID), and getting seriously sick or being hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection.

The benefits of being protected against COVID-19 far outweigh the risk of any side effects from the vaccine.

Evidence suggests the protection you get from COVID-19 vaccines and/or previous COVID-19 infection decreases over time. Boosters are required to maintain immunity and offer protection against infection (including long COVID), serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Staying up to date

* For those 6 months to 4 years of age staying up to date means having a completed primary series.

* For those 5 years and older staying up to date means having a completed primary series and a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) on or after Sept 1, 2022.

Age based recommendations

  • Infants and children 6 months to 4 years are not eligible for a booster dose at this time.
  • Individuals aged 5 years and older who have not received a booster dose since September 1, 2022, are recommended to receive a booster dose 6 months following the completion of their primary series.
  • Specific high-risk populations are eligible to receive an additional booster (Spring booster) if at least 6 months have passed since their last dose (or confirmed COVID-19 infection).

Vaccine type recommendations

* See Available Vaccines tab below for more detailed information about specific product recommendations.

Bivalent boosters (Pfizer/Moderna)

Bivalent vaccines are vaccines that target two different viruses or two different strains of the same virus. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines target the original COVID-19 virus and Omicron subvariant(s).

Evidence shows that Omicron-containing mRNA vaccines prompt a stronger immune response and are expected to provide improved protection against Omicron subvariants compared to the original mRNA vaccines (monovalent vaccines).

Monovalent boosters

mRNA (Pfizer/Moderna)

This type of vaccine protects against the original COVID-19 strain. Individuals who are not able or willing to receive a bivalent booster may receive a monovalent vaccine as a booster dose.

Novavax boosters (Protein subunit vaccine)

This vaccine may be given as a booster dose to individuals who are 12 years and older (who do not have contraindications to the vaccine) and who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

J&J - Janssen boosters (Viral vector vaccine)

This vaccine may be given as a booster dose to individuals who are 18 years and older.  It should only be given to those who are not able or willing to receive mRNA or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines.

The primary series makes up the initial doses required to develop an immune response. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends receipt of monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/Moderna) to complete the primary series.

* See Available Vaccines tab below for more information about specific vaccine recommendations for each age group.

Two-dose primary series:

For most people, a primary series is two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine with a recommended 8 weeks (56 days) between doses.

Three-dose primary series:

Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are recommended to receive a three-dose primary series with a recommended 8 weeks (56 days) between doses. A third dose is recommended because people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised:

  • get less protection from two doses compared to those who are healthy and,
  • are at greater risk of getting very sick if they get COVID-19.
It's natural to worry about your health and the health of your unborn baby during pregnancy. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective at protecting against:
  • severe illness
  • hospitalization
  • ICU admission

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding who have not yet begun or completed the primary series should be offered the recommended doses.

If individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding have not yet received a booster dose, NACI strongly recommends that a booster dose be offered. For subsequent booster doses, pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should be offered a booster dose.

A COVID-19 booster should be offered at any stage of the pregnancy (i.e., in any trimester).

Additional resources

Individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada (HC) (while in another country) may need additional doses to stay up-to-date:

  • Those who received only one or two doses of a non-HC authorized COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to receive one additional dose in Ontario 56 days after the previous dose to complete the primary series.
  • Those who received one HC authorized vaccine and one non-HC authorized vaccine (in either order) need no additional doses to complete the primary series.
  • Those who received three doses (any combination of HC authorized, and non-HC authorized) need no additional doses to complete the primary series.

Once the primary series is complete, these individuals should follow the relevant age-based booster dose recommendations (see above Booster doses tab).

The Ontario Ministry of Health, along with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), continues to recommend that COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to individuals with previous COVID-19 infection without contraindications to the vaccine.

A previous infection is defined as:

  • confirmed by a molecular (e.g., PCR) or rapid antigen test, or;
  • symptomatic AND a household contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.

Suggested intervals between previous COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination

  • Infection prior to completion of/initiation of primary series – 2 months (56 days)
  • Infection after primary series - 6 months (168 days).

Available vaccines

All residents will receive an age-appropriate Health Canada approved vaccine. All COVID-19 vaccines authorized in Canada are proven safe and effective.

The type of COVID-19 vaccine you will receive depends on current inventory and your age.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends mRNA vaccines as the preferred vaccine type for all age groups.

The type of mRNA vaccine you will receive depends on the inventory available at the clinic on the day of your immunization along with your age.
Novavax is a protein-based vaccine and may be given to those 12 years and older (without contraindications to the vaccine) who are not willing or able to receive mRNA vaccines.
Janssen is a viral vector vaccine and may be given to those 18 years and older who are not willing or able to receive mRNA vaccines or Novavax.
  • Novavax (Nuvaxovid) – Individuals aged 12 years and older should receive two doses with eight weeks inbetween for a primary series. One dose should be received as a booster given 6 months after the second dose.
  • Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) – Individuals aged 18 years and older are eligible for one dose (only available when all other vaccine options are declined). One dose should be received as a booster given 6 months after the initial dose.

 

Upon request, or if you have an allergy to mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer or Moderna), or you do not want to receive an mRNA vaccine you can get the Novavax or Janssen vaccine.

Due to limited supply and vaccine logistics, these vaccines are a special order and you will be required to travel to a central location to receive the vaccine.

You must request any of the above vaccines through the health unit. Please use the online form to request to be put on a list to receive one of the above listed vaccines.


Resources

COVID-19 Communications Resources: Vaccine Facts - Ministry of Health of Ontario

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources - Toronto Public Health
  • Video series - FAQ’s about COVID-19 vaccines for kids (Dr Leah Bartlett and Dr Asif Kazmi)

Page last updated April 27, 2023

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