1. When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine and how do I book an appointment?
Visit our Vaccination Clinics for COVID-19 page to see who is currently eligible, and for information on clinic dates, locations and how to book an appointment. This page is updated frequently as new information becomes available.
2. Which vaccines are being administered locally?
Public Health Sudbury & Districts primarily uses the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccines in its clinics. Other non-mRNA vaccines are also used as needed.
The following table outlines the COVID-19 vaccines that have been administered across the districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. The table includes vaccines administered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts, pharmacies, and primary care providers.
COVID-19 Vaccine | Eligibility | Type | Doses in primary series | Recommended Interval for primary series | Availability as a booster dose | Local administration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pfizer BioNTech – Comirnaty | 12 years of age and older | mRNA | 2 3 for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised | 8 weeks | Yes | January 2021 – current |
Pediatric Pfizer BioNTech - Comirnaty | 5 years of age to <12 years of age | mRNA | 2 3 for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised | 8 weeks | No | November 2021 – current |
Moderna – Spikevax | 6 years of age and older | mRNA | 2 3 for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised | 8 weeks | Yes | January 2021 – current |
Novavax – Nuvaxovid | 18 year of age and older | Protein subunit | 2 | 8 weeks | Yes | May 2022 – current |
Johnson & Johnson – Janssen | 18 years of age and older | Viral-vector | 1 | Not applicable | No | December 2021 – current |
AstraZeneca – Vaxzevria / COVIDSHIELD | 18 years of age and older | Viral-vector | 2 | Minimum 8 weeks | No | April 2021 – August 2021 |
Visit our clinic page to see information on which vaccine is available at each clinic and how to book. You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.
3. What can I expect at a Public Health-led mass immunization clinic for COVID-19?
Given the need to continue following personal protective measures, mass immunization clinics for COVID-19 will look different than the mass immunization clinics that people are used to. Clinic layouts may vary from smaller groups of people attending clinics to the hockey hub model.
Here is what to expect before, during, and after your vaccination for COVID-19.
Before your appointment
- Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued identification such as a driver’s license, passport, Status card, or birth certificate.
- Eat and drink something before heading out to your appointment to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
- Wear a top that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt.
- Bring a mask or face covering that covers your nose, mouth, and chin.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not attend the clinic. Please cancel your appointment.
- For further information on the vaccine and your appointment, see the Ministry of Health’s document entitled what you need to know before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Upon arrival for your scheduled vaccination
- Wear your mask, use hand sanitizer, and maintain physical distancing. A medical grade mask will be provided to those that do not have one.
- You will be screened at the door for COVID-19.
- You will be checked-in for your appointment and be seated in the waiting area.
- You will be called to receive your immunization. The immunizer will answer any questions you may have and ensure that you are an eligible candidate for the vaccine (without contraindications).
- You may ask your immunizer to record the immunization on your Immunization Record if you brought it with you.
After receiving your COVID-19 vaccination
- Following your COVID-19 vaccination, you will be seated in the waiting area for a period of 5 or 15 minutes (some people may be asked to wait for 30 minutes) as a precaution.
- You will be checked-out, and a subsequent appointment will be booked, as required.
- Should you experience any adverse effects, as with all immunizations, inform your primary health care provider or seek emergency medical care if warranted.
- Remember that mild side effects can be a sign that your immune system is working to build an immune response. Refer to the Ministry of Health’s vaccine after care sheet for more details.
4. Can fully vaccinated people get COVID-19?
Yes, because no vaccine is 100% effective. The COVID-19 vaccines teach your immune system how to recognize and fight against the COVID-19 virus, which helps to prevent illness if you encounter the virus. The vaccines can help prevent hospitalization, ICU admission, and death from COVID-19.
It is important that you receive all recommended doses (including booster doses) of the vaccine to stay up to date and to build long-term protection against COVID-19.
5. Is a third dose needed for the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Government of Ontario recommends that a third (booster) dose of a COVID-19 vaccine be offered to individuals aged 12 years and up. A third dose will help to improve the immune response and add an extra layer of protection. Learn more about third doses and who is eligible.
The Government of Ontario also recommends a fourth dose (second booster) to select vulnerable populations that face the highest risk of serious illness from the virus as well as individuals aged 60 and over and First Nation, Inuit, and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over. A fourth dose (second booster) will help provide an improved immune response for these high-risk individuals and will add an extra layer of protection.
6. Is a second booster needed for the COVID-19 vaccine?
A second booster dose is recommended for specific populations after the completion of a primary series and first booster dose. Currently the second booster dose is recommended for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
The Ontario government expanded eligibility for second booster doses to provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and its variants. Eligible populations for a second booster include:
- Individuals aged 60 and over
- Those who identify as First Nation, Inuit or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over
The Government of Ontario recommends that these individuals receive their second booster dose five months (140 days) after they received their first booster dose. With informed consent, a second booster dose can be received 3 months (84 days) after the first booster dose.
A second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended for residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and older adults living in other congregate settings providing assisted-living and health services who received their first booster dose at least three months (84 days) prior.
Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals may present to a Public Health clinic with a referral form English (PDF), French (PDF) completed by a primary care provider or with proof of prescription vial, receipt, or prescription confirmation. For a list of eligible medications, please see the Government of Ontario’s List of Significantly Immunosuppressive Medications (PDF).
Eligible individuals are strongly encouraged to receive a second booster as soon as they are eligible to enhance their immunity and protect against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
7. What is the difference between a third or fourth dose and a booster dose?
For some populations, a third dose may be required in the primary series, as two doses may not provide sufficient protection. This includes, for example, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Learn more about who is eligible for a third dose as part of a primary series. It is also recommended that these individuals, aged 12 years and older, receive any booster dose (s) when eligible, adding an extra layer of protection.
A booster dose provides your immune system with a boost and reminds for your immune system how to fight off COVID-19. Over time, immunity decreases, and the booster dose helps increase protection from COVID-19 and its variants. Individuals over the age of 12 are eligible for a first booster dose following completion of their primary series.
In addition, the Government of Ontario recommends a second booster dose for individuals aged 60 years of age and over and First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over. These two groups may be scheduled a minimum of 5 months (140 days) after completing their first booster dose. A second booster dose of an mRNA vaccine is also recommended for residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and older adults living in other congregate settings providing assisted-living and health services who received their first booster dose at least three months (84 days) prior.
8. Does the COVID-19 vaccine protect against variants of concern (VOC)?
Yes, however it is important to know that protection after a primary COVID-19 vaccine series decreases over time, especially against the Omicron variant of concern. COVID-19 vaccine booster doses help to provide better protection and reduces the chances of severe symptoms, as well as helps to reduce spread. It is important that you receive all recommended doses (including booster doses) of the vaccine to stay up to date and to build long-term protection against COVID-19.
9. Will pharmacies and primary care administer COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes. Select pharmacies (Government of Ontario) and primary care settings are administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
10. What if I’m an international student, a visitor or, in Ontario on a work visa? Can I get the vaccine for COVID-19?
Yes. If you work, study, or live in Ontario you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, free of charge. The COVID-19 vaccine will be made available to everyone in Canada for whom it is approved and recommended. This applies to all individuals in Canada, whether they are citizens or not.
11. What if I don’t have a Health Card? Can I use another type of identification to book my appointment?
Yes. To book your appointment, have another form of identification available such as a passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, employee identification, First Nations identification, MRN (Medical Record Number), or out of province health card. The vaccine will be administered to you at no cost. Anyone who works, studies, or lives in Ontario is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
12. I got my COVID-19 vaccine(s) outside of Ontario or Canada, who do I contact to update my immunization record?
Individuals who have received their COVID-19 vaccine(s)—either a complete or partial series—can use our form to report their COVID-19 vaccination(s) in the provincial database (COVaxON) or contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts, so we can update your immunization record. This will also help public health agencies monitor vaccine coverage. If your COVID-19 vaccination records are not in the provincial online database, we encourage you to submit your proof of vaccinations to help public health agencies monitor vaccine coverage. You can verify and access your records online through the provincial system (COaxxON).
13. I got my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario or Canada; how do I proceed for my second dose?
If you have received a partial series, meaning your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with a vaccine that requires two doses, please report your COVID-19 vaccination(s) in the provincial database (COVaxON) or contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts to have your immunization record updated. We will require proof of vaccination, for example, an immunization record or proof of vaccine certificate (PVC). Contact us at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200). Once we have updated your immunization record and reviewed the details of the specific vaccine you received, you will be able to book your next vaccine appointment via telephone or online.
For more information, read the COVID-19 Guidance for individuals vaccinated outside of Ontario / Canada (Ontario Ministry of Health, PDF).
14. I received my COVID-19 vaccine. Do I still need to wear a face covering indoors and practice physical distancing?
Yes, using personal protective measures such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering, increasing ventilation in indoor spaces, and hand washing along with getting the COVID-19 vaccine are all protective layers that we need to continue until we receive widespread protection against the virus.