Covid-19 Shot

What you need to know about getting a Covid-19 Vaccination  

Health Canada advises that over time, protection from COVID-19 vaccines can decrease. Booster doses trigger your immune system to make more antibodies, which can increase the immune response and help improve protection against COVID-19. Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, will help protect you from severe COVID-19 disease. This is especially important with the Omicron variant widespread in Canada and the possibility of new variants.

Health Canada has now authorized the first bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine for adults 18 years and older. It targets 2 strains of the COVID-19 virus (original strain and Omicron strain).

Both the original COVID-19 booster vaccine and bivalent booster vaccine are very effective, and it is recommended not to delay getting one, especially if you are at an increased risk.

Read more information from Health Canada on COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses and the bivalent vaccine.

What vaccines are currently available in Canada?

Approved vaccines in Canada :

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine
• Moderna COVID vaccine
• AstraZeneca/Covishield COVID vaccine
• Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine

Are there any side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines?

In general, the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are similar to the side effects seen with other vaccines. They are usually mild or moderate and resolve a few days after vaccination. Side effects may include body chills, feeling feverish, feeling tired and pain at the injection site.

Like all vaccines, there is a rare chance of a serious side effect (e.g., an allergic reaction). If you have any specific concerns about the vaccines or are at risk of an allergic reaction, you should speak to your primary care provider.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine treat COVID-19?

The vaccine does not treat COVID-19; it helps prevent the infection. That is why we do not vaccinate people with active symptoms.

If a person has had COVID-19, will they still need to get the vaccine?

Yes, if someone had COVID-19, they should still receive the vaccine. They may not be immune to the virus, and therefore, could become ill again. However, if the vaccine supply is limited, initial doses of the vaccine may be prioritized for those who have not previously been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Suppose you have been previously diagnosed as having had COVID-19. In that case, you can check with your primary care physician or local public health authority to see when you will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Is one vaccine better than the other?

The best vaccine is the first one offered or available to you. Each COVID-19 vaccine goes through a rigorous approval process by Health Canada to ensure that they are safe and effective. In the research studies (called clinical trials) conducted before Health Canada approved the vaccines, each vaccine significantly reduced severe disease and COVID-19 related death.

Will I be able to choose the vaccine I want?

In most provinces and territories, you will not be given a choice. All of the vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective. They reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The vaccine you are offered will depend on several factors. These include what vaccine is approved for your age group and what vaccine is available.

Do I need to take both doses?

The majority of current vaccines available in Canada require two doses to give full protection. The second dose helps prolong your protection against COVID-19. Current recommendations suggest waiting at least 28 days after each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before getting another vaccine. It is also suggested that no other vaccine, aside from the flu or pneumococcal vaccines, should be received 14 days before the COVID-19 vaccine.

What is the recommended interval between the two doses?

The minimal recommended interval between doses for the Moderna & Pfizer vaccine is 21 days. The interval between doses for AstraZeneca is 28 days. Public Health’s recommendations suggest an interval of 16 weeks between the two doses.

Can people 65 years old or older receive any available vaccine?

Yes. Generally speaking, all people 65 years or older in Canada should get whichever COVID-19 vaccine is offered to them. Health Canada has examined the evidence from the manufacturers’ clinical trials and has approved vaccines for people aged 18 and over (except for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is approved for people aged 16 and over).