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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.

Effective July 7th 2023, individuals should consider delaying receipt of a COVID-19 booster dose until the fall.  This is to ensure individuals will meet the expected 6-month recommended interval from their last dose.  Receiving a booster dose in the fall, heading into respiratory illness season, will maximize protection against COVID-19 outcomes when peak circulation of the virus is expected.

The decision to receive a booster dose prior to fall 2023 may be appropriate for certain individuals based on their unique health status and personal situation.  A booster dose should be administered to individuals who choose to receive one if they are eligible, meaning a recommended six months has passed since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.

 

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 consider delaying receipt of a COVID-19 booster dose until the fall of 2023.

Non-mRNA (Novavax)

For more information call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

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. 

The primary series makes up the initial doses required to develop an immune response.

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.
  • Novavax (Nuvaxovid) – Individuals aged 12 years and older should receive two doses with eight weeks in between for a primary series. One dose should be received as a booster given 6 months after the second dose. For more information call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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 August 10, 2023

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