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COVID-19

Getting your COVID-19 vaccine

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First dose appointments

  • Those who are 12 years of age and older are eligible to book their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Second dose appointments

  • Those who do not have a second dose booked can now book second dose appointments only.
  • Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are opting to receive a second dose of AstraZeneca (not available at local pharmacies until the week of June 14th) at an eight to 12 week interval at a participating pharmacy.
  • Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are opting to receive a mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) as their second dose at an eight to 12 week interval can book now through the Ontario booking site or at a participating pharmacy.

The majority of people are currently eligible for their second dose of a mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine at 16 weeks, however the province announced that it plans to accelerate second doses throughout the coming weeks. At this time the following groups are eligible to book their second dose at an earlier interval than 16 weeks.

The accelerated second doses will continue based on the province’s schedule.    

Appointment booking options:

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.

How to reschedule or cancel a vaccination appointment.

  • If you have a health card and email address you may book online here.
  • If you do not have an email address you must call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line: 1-833-943-3900; Hours of Operation - 8AM-8PM, Monday-Sunday to book your appointment. 
  • If you do not have a health card please complete this online form. Within 3-5 business days after you register you will receive a phone call from a health unit Vaccine Booking Support Line staff who will assist you to book your appointment. Please note: Do not use this form if you have misplaced or lost your health card, you will need to contact Service Ontario for assistance.
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals can also book at local Indigenous-specific clinics.

The following clinics are being offered for youth 12 to 17 years of age ONLY (must be 12 years of age at time of appointment). To book visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line 1-833-943-3900. When you book your first dose you will be automatically directed to book your second dose based on the dates below:

  • June 15 (Second dose August 9)
    Gravenhurst High School – 325 Mary St. S Gravenhurst
    9:30am – 4:30pm
  • June 16 (Second dose August 11)
    Nantyr Shore High School – 1146 Anna Maria Ave., Innisfil
    2:30pm - 8:30pm
  • June 17 (Second dose August 11)
    Wasaga Beach Rec Plex – 1724 Mosley St. Wasaga Beach
    9:30am – 4:30pm
  • June 23 (Second dose August 18)
    Nottawasaga Pines High School – 8505 County Road 10, Angus
    2:30pm – 8:30pm
  • NEW: June 25 (Second dose August 18)
    Collingwood Curling Club - 250 Hume St., Collingwood
    9:30AM - 4:30pm 
  • June 26 (Second dose August 15)
    Gravenhurst High School – 325 Mary St., Gravenhurst
    9:30am – 4:30pm

 

Consent
COVID-19 vaccines are only provided if informed consent is received from the person to be vaccinated, including those aged 12 to 17, and as long as you have the capacity to make this decision. This means that you understand:

  • what vaccination involves, 
  • why it is being recommended; and 
  • the risks and benefits of accepting or refusing to be vaccinated.

Even if you are able to provide informed consent, it would be a good idea to talk about this decision with your parent/guardian or an adult you trust such as your principal or a teacher. The health care provider and family must respect a young person’s decision to be vaccinated. Ideally, this decision should be discussed in advance with a trusted adult or guardian to ensure that they understand what they are consenting to. When a young person receives their vaccine, the person giving them their shot will check that they understand the nature of the treatment and its risks and benefits.

If you are not able to consent to receiving the vaccine, you require consent from your substitute decision-maker, such as your parent or legal guardian

At this time there are no pop-up clinics scheduled in Simcoe Muskoka. Please check back regularly.

Who can get vaccinated at a pharmacy:

  • 12 or older on the day of your appointment to get the Pfizer vaccine 
  • 18 or older on the day of your appointment to get the Moderna vaccine
  • Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are opting to receive either a second dose of AstraZeneca (not available until the week of June 14th) or an mRNA vaccine can now schedule their second dose appointment at a participating pharmacy, 12 weeks after their first dose.
  • Anyone who is eligible can now receive their first or second dose of vaccine from their local participating pharmacy.

Visit the province’s website to find a pharmacy in your area and follow the appointment instructions.

 

Community clinics continue to be held in South Simcoe locations however “hot spot clinics” specifically for people who live, work and go to school in Bradford West Gwillimbury have ended.

Book an appointment at a community clinic to get vaccinated or check local pharmacies who are providing vaccinations.

Documentation of immunization

You may now go online here to print off proof of immunization. Receipts are available:

  • for first and second doses received in Ontario (once you get them) 
  • regardless of where you were vaccinated (for example, at a mass immunization clinic, hospital, pharmacy or primary care setting)

To log in and get your receipt, you will need:

  • a green photo health (OHIP) card (you will need numbers from both the front and back of the card, expired cards will be accepted)
  • your date of birth
  • your postal code (the one associated with your health card)

We are now able to accept and enter into the provincial database, the immunization information of Simcoe Muskoka residents who received their first and/or second doses out of province. You will need to submit a copy of your proof of immunization in order for the information to be uploaded into the provincial database.

Please use this secure form to submit your documentation. If you need to book a second dose appointment please allow 3 to 5 business days for your information to be entered into the database. After that time you may proceed with booking your second dose appointment on the provincial booking site.

For more information on:

Youth aged 12-17 years of age are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system or the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line: 1-833-943-3900, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. To book an appointment online, these individuals must already be 12 years old as of the date of their booking.

Youth aged 12 to 17 years will receive their 2nd dose between August 9 – 22, so they are protected prior to the start of the 2021/2022 school year. When youth book their first dose appointment, they will be given an appointment to receive their second dose in 16 weeks. After June 27th, youth will be able to rebook their second dose appointment to August 9 – 22 either online or by calling the provincial booking line. Original dose two appointments will automatically be cancelled in the provincial booking system.

See the Here are 10 things to know about the COVID-19 vaccination for children and
youth aged 12 to 17 for more information.

Consent

COVID-19 vaccines are only provided if informed consent is received from the person to be vaccinated, including those aged 12 to 17, and as long as you have the capacity to make this decision. This means that you understand:

  • what vaccination involves, 
  • why it is being recommended; and 
  • the risks and benefits of accepting or refusing to be vaccinated.

Even if you are able to provide informed consent, it would be a good idea to talk about this decision with your parent/guardian or an adult you trust such as your principal or a teacher. The health care provider and family must respect a young person’s decision to be vaccinated. Ideally, this decision should be discussed in advance with a trusted adult or guardian to ensure that they understand what they are consenting to. When a young person receives their vaccine, the person giving them their shot will check that they understand the nature of the treatment and its risks and benefits.

If you are not able to consent to receiving the vaccine, you require consent from your substitute decision-maker, such as your parent or legal guardian.

All Ontarians are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can, and to receive their second dose as soon as they are eligible and within the recommended interval to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19.

The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, has updated their guidance to allow individuals who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and who have not yet received their second dose, to mix COVID-19 vaccines if desired. This decision is in alignment with updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendation.

The NACI guidance advises that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can be safely interchanged for first and second doses if the original mRNA vaccine is not readily available. Ontarians who received a first dose of an mRNA vaccine should be offered the same mRNA vaccine for their second dose. If the same mRNA vaccine is not readily available, another mRNA vaccine can be offered instead to complete the vaccine series.

Community clinics

Community clinics are located throughout Simcoe & Muskoka. Clinics are by appointment only and are currently vaccinating eligible groups only. One of Health Canada's approved mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) is administered at our community clinics. You will not be able to select which vaccine you are administered.

One person can accompany a client to their appointment if a patient has a physical/intellectual/developmental disability, or require interpretation of instructions etc. If you need assistance please see the clinic coordinator or screener when you arrive. For those who would benefit from additional support to receive their vaccine (i.e. low stimulation environment, drive thru option, an appointment before or after clinic starts) please call our COVID-19 Immunization Appointment Booking Support line at 705-721-7520 (1-877-721-7520) ext. 5997 and our staff will make arrangements for you.

If you or someone you know needs assisted transportation to and from your vaccination appointment, please visit one of the websites below:

Important Clinic Information

  • Clinics are by appointment only. No drop-ins are allowed.
  • Please DO NOT arrive for your appointment early. Arrive just on time. Due to COVID public health measures we have limited waiting room space available. Dress for the weather as you may be required to wait outdoors before entering the clinic.
  • One person can accompany a client to their appointment if they need assistance. Everyone needs to ensure they are following public health measures.
  • You can get assistance to support your mobility at the clinic, please see the clinic coordinator or screener who will be able to help.
  • If you are bringing someone who cannot give their own consent and 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 this form COVID-19 Vaccine Screening and Consent Form with you to the appointment. 

Clinic locations:

Barrie and area: 

  • 29 Sperling Drive, Barrie 
  • Holly Recreation Centre - 171 Mapleton Ave., Barrie 
  • Innisfil Recreation Complex - 7315 Yonge St., Innisfil

Muskoka:

  • Canada Summit Centre - 20 Park Dr., Huntsville 
  • Bracebridge Sportsplex - 110 Clearbrook Trail, Bracebridge

Couchiching:

  • West Orillia Sports Complex, Rotary Place Arena - 100 University Ave., Orillia

North Simcoe:

  • North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre - 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland
  • Penetanguishene Memorial Arena - 61 Maria St., Penetang

South Georgian Bay:

  • Collingwood Royal Canadian Legion (Drive thru) - 490 Ontario St., Collingwood
  • Wasaga Beach RecPlex Community Centre (Drive thru) - 1724 Mosley St., Wasaga Beach

South Simcoe:

  • EFFECTIVE June 21st NEW LOCATION: New Tecumseth Recreation Centre - 7300 Industrial Pkwy., Alliston
  • Tottenham Community Centre - 139 Queen St., N., Tottenham
  • Bob Fallis Arena - 2961 10 Sideroad, Bradford

 

 

Learn more about our local vaccination plan

It will take a whole community approach with many agencies and individuals sharing the work, to vaccinate the majority of the over half million people in Simcoe Muskoka. A local, targeted vaccination plan has been created by SMDHU, with the input and expertise of many partners through the Simcoe Muskoka COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Advisory Committee. Considerations by the committee include; health system risks, understanding how to reach vulnerable community members, and exploring resources to increase capacity and coordination between organizations. For a full understanding of the role of the advisory committee view the Terms of Reference.

The Simcoe Muskoka COVID-19 Vaccination Plan provides an overview of how the vaccine will be given to residents over the next several months and includes priority populations’ (see 'Who can get the vaccine' below) specific to our region and a three-phased approach based on Ontario’s vaccine distribution implementation plan. The plan will involve various types of vaccine delivery methods including the use of community clinics and mobile clinics to reach residents in various geographic areas across our region. As the vaccine supply becomes more stable our goal is to vaccinate thousands of people each day, by offering vaccine clinics 7 days a week (in most areas), with hours extending into the evenings. Planning is underway for other types of clinics such as drive-thru clinics, as well as other sites in the community. We also plan to work with health care providers and pharmacies for more widely distributed vaccine delivery in the future, when vaccine types and supply permits.

The vaccine program details and timelines in the plan are estimated and may change based on direction from the Ministry of Health. As information regarding priority populations, vaccine supply and other details important to our local region develop, we will work with our various planning partners to update our plan to ensure that we continue to reach our goal.

Page Last Updated: June 16, 2021

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