COVID-19 vaccine FAQ

Visit our Vaccination Clinics for COVID-19 page to see who is currently eligible, and for information on clinic dates and locations. This page is updated frequently as new information becomes available.

Given the need to continue following public health 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. Immunizations will be administered by appointment only. All Public Health-led clinics offer mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). Individuals who book into mass immunization clinics will receive an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine offered will be dependent on what we have available at the time of the particular clinic.  We will provide information regarding the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) planned for the clinic, subject to change based on vaccine availability. On site posters will identify the type of vaccine available at the clinic. You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.

Here is what to expect before, during, and after your vaccination for COVID-19.

Before your appointment

1. To find out if you are eligible and for details on how to book an appointment, visit our COVID-19 vaccine clinics page.
2. Book your appointment once your turn has arrived.
3. 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

1. Wear your mask or face covering, use hand sanitizer, and maintain physical distancing.
2. You will be screened at the door for COVID-19.
3. You will be checked-in for your appointment and be seated in the waiting area.
4. 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).
5. You may ask your immunizer to record the immunization on your Immunization Recordif you brought it with you, although proof of vaccination will be given to you, with an option to email it if you choose.

After receiving your COVID-19 vaccination

1. Following your COVID-19 vaccination, you will be seated in the waiting area for a period of 15 minutes (some people may be asked to wait for 30 minutes) as a precaution.
2. You will be checked-out, provided with a proof of vaccination receipt, and the appointment for your second dose will be booked.
3. Should you experience any adverse effects, as with all immunizations, inform your primary health care provider or seek emergency medical care if warranted.
4. 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.
5. Your second dose will automatically be scheduled 16 weeks from the date you receive your first dose. Mark your calendar for your second dose, which will provide you with optimal protection against COVID-19.

There are no leftover doses at our COVID-19 vaccine clinics; we use every dose available. All vaccines are given by appointment only. If someone is unable to attend their appointment, the spot is quickly filled by offering it to someone on our eligible client list or someone with a future appointment date. This way, any doses remaining from an open vial don’t go to waste.

Please do not show up at a clinic asking for a leftover dose. We can only offer you a COVID-19 vaccine at your scheduled appointment and once you are eligible.

Currently, Public Health Sudbury & Districts uses Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in its clinics. Both are mRNA vaccines and highly effective against COVID-19. Individuals who book into mass immunization clinics will receive an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine offered will be dependent on what we have available at the time of the particular clinic.  We will provide information regarding the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) planned for the clinic, subject to change based on vaccine availability. On site posters will identify the type of vaccine available at the clinic. You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.

First doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 were administered locally through pharmacies and primary care settings, starting early in April. The administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now paused. Read Ontario’s statement. As of May 21, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COIVD-19 vaccine may proceed. Read Ontario’s News Release.

Pharmacies and primary care setting will start administering COVID-19 vaccines in early April, during Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout in our area.

Yes. If you work, study, or live in Ontario you are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, free of charge. Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine remains the same as for the flu vaccine.

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.

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.

On the day of your COVID-19 vaccination, bring documentation that confirms your identify. If needed, you may bring more that one form of documentation that includes a photo, your full legal name, and date of birth. For example, a health card, a piece of registered mail, pay stub, student card, government issued identification from other jurisdictions like foreign passports, other provincial or territorial health cards or drivers licence. Identification will be accepted even if it has expired.

If you do not have any forms of identification or cannot provide proof of your primary place of residence, we will work with you to verify your identity. For example, obtain a letter from a community organization or other forms of identity verification.

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.

Please contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts to book your vaccine appointment at 705.674.2299 (toll-free: 1.800.708.2505), between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Individuals who have received their COVID-19 vaccine(s), either a complete or partial series are asked to contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts, so we can update your Immunization record. You will require proof of immunization, for example, an immunization record or proof of vaccine certificate (PVC). Please contact us at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

If you completed your COVID-19 vaccine series with an authorized vaccine recognized by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, we will update your vaccine record, indicating that you have completed the vaccine series. No additional doses will be needed.

If you have received a partial series, meaning your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with a vaccine that requires two doses, read the next question (below) for details.

If you have received a partial series, meaning your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine with a vaccine that requires two doses, please contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts to have your immunization record updated. You will be required to provide 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. Based on which vaccine you received for your first does and vaccine availability in Ontario or locally, we will review the options and help you decide how to proceed. In most cases, this will include booking your second dose to complete your series. In some cases, you may be offered to re-start your COVID-19 vaccine series with a Health Canada authorized COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, read COVID-19 Guidance for individuals vaccinated outside of Ontario / Canada  (Ontario Ministry of Health, PDF).

The COVID-19 vaccine aims to prevent illness. The COVID-19 vaccine will train the body’s immune system to recognize the COVID-19 virus. If you are exposed, it will prevent you from getting sick. Currently, the following four COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by Health Canada:

1. Pfizer-BioNTech – for use in individuals aged 12 years and older, without contraindications.
2. Moderna’s – for use in individuals 18 years and older, without contraindications.
3. AstraZeneca– for use in individuals 40 years and older, without contraindications with special considerations for recent announcements by the province.
   The administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now paused. Read Ontario’s statement. As of May 21, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COIVD-19 vaccine may proceed. Read Ontario’s News Release.
4. Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)– for individuals 18 years and older, without contraindications. Although approved by Health Canada, this vaccine is not currently available in Ontario.

Each of the approved vaccines were demonstrated to be highly effective against COVID-19.

After receiving a vaccine, it takes about two weeks for the body to develop an effective immune response. A second dose is needed with each of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) is a single-dose vaccine.

Currently, Public Health Sudbury and Districts has access to COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Both are mRNA vaccines and highly effective against COVID-19. The AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19 will be administered through pharmacies and primary care settings, starting early in April.

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for use in approved populations. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Health Canada conducted an expediated, or rolling, approval process. This means that the vaccine was evaluated for safety and efficacy while it was being developed, and again when it was finalized. Though faster, all of the components of a routine approvals process were addressed. For more information, please watch the video linked below:

• COVID-19 How vaccines are developed (Health Canada)

In general, messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA, tells our cells which proteins to make. The COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and it tells our cells to make proteins that are part of the coronavirus. These proteins are called “spike proteins”. Once made, spike proteins are recognized by our immune system as foreign and our system starts to create antibodies to clear our bodies of this foreign material. The immune system removes the mRNA from the vaccine and destroys the spike proteins with antibodies. Our immune system also remembers this foreign material. This means that if someone receives the COVID-19 vaccine, develops an immune response, and then gets the virus, their immune cells will be able to recognize and destroy the viruses before they can make the person sick.

Although COVID-19 mRNA (Health Canada) vaccines are new for use, mRNA vaccines are not unknown, researchers have been studying and working with them for decades. For more information, please watch the videos linked below:

• How does the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine work? (Ottawa Public Health)

A viral vector-based vaccine uses a harmless virus as a delivery system to carry instructions to the body. Both the AstraZeneca and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are viral vector-based vaccines. In each case, a weakened adenovirus is used (not the virus that causes COVID-19).

The weakened virus tells your body to produce a spike protein. These spike proteins are seen on the surface of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Your body will then make antibodies to clear the spike proteins from your body and you will be better equipped to clear them in the future if you are exposed to COVID-19.  The vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19 as it does not contain the virus for COVID-19.

The administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now paused. Read Ontario’s statement. As of May 21, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COIVD-19 vaccine may proceed. Read Ontario’s News Release.

Yes. Of the clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, approximately 42% of global participants and 30% of participants from the United States of America have racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Pfizer-BioNTech has created an infographic that highlights the breakdown of participants by background and age.

No, the COVID-19 vaccine cannot cause a COVID-19 infection. The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved do not use live components of the virus. This means that it is impossible for them to cause COVID-19 infection.

As of right now, experts believe the vaccine will work with the new strain. There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will not be effective against the new strain, however this is a rapidly evolving area of study.

It is possible that additional vaccinations for COVID-19 will be needed to maintain immunity. Before we know for sure, more evidence will need to be collected regarding how long our immunity will last and whether the virus itself will change over time.

The Delta VOC (Government of Canada) is one of four VOC mutations of the COVID-19 virus detected to date. The Delta VOC is more transmissible with a greater risk of disease severity as compared with the Alpha variant (first detected in the United Kingdom). The Delta variant is spreading throughout Ontario.

It is more important than ever to get fully vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible. Completing the COVID-19 vaccine series with two doses boosts immune response and improves vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. Studies show that while one dose can protect against hospitalization, two doses are required for good protection against getting sick with the Delta variant. Visit the Vaccination clinics for COVID-19 web page for booking information.

In addition, The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (Government of Ontario) has confirmed that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are interchangeable. This means you can safely get either mRNA product to complete your vaccine series with a high level of effectiveness, regardless of which mRNA vaccine you got for your first dose. Either option for your second dose is safe, provides strong protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and will complete your COVID-19 vaccine series.

People with allergies to any component of the vaccine or its container should not get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Anyone who had a serious reaction (anaphylaxis) to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine should not receive a second dose of that COVID-19 vaccine.

If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past (with no components of a COVID-19 vaccine), you may receive the vaccine but should wait for 30 minutes following your COVID-19 vaccination for observation.

You should wait before getting your COVID-19 vaccine if you are currently sick. Wait until your symptoms have resolved before getting your COVID-19 vaccine.

You should wait at least 14 days after receiving any vaccine before getting your COVID-19 vaccine. It is also prudent to wait at least 28 days after receiving each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving another vaccine.

If you have allergies, for example to foods, oral drugs, insect venom or environmental allergies, (allergies that are not related to a component of a COVID-19 vaccine or other injectable therapy), you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine without any special precautions.

If you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past (with no components of a COVID-19 vaccine), you may receive the vaccine but should wait for 30 minutes following your COVID-19 vaccination for observation.

If you have allergies to any component of the vaccine or its container, you should not get the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you had a serious reaction (anaphylaxis) to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive a second dose of that COVID-19 vaccine.

Breastfeeding individuals can choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It is recommended, but not required, that individuals talk with their treating health care provider, before getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This conversation can, and often will also occur, between the individual and the immunizer during the appointment. The breastfeeding individual should be aware that based on available data, mRNA vaccines are not hypothesized to be a risk to the infant. For more details, please refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations (PDF, Government of Ontario) and COVID-19 Vaccination: Special Populations Vaccination in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Decision-Making Support Tool (PDF, Government of Ontario).

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada indicates that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at any time if they are eligible and don’t have contraindications. For further details, refer to their statement on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy (PDF, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada). For additional help with your decision-making process as a patient, refer to the Ministry of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Patient Decision-Making Tool (PDF, Government of Ontario).

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for pregnant individuals who don’t have contraindications. For help with your decision-making process as a patient, refer to the Ministry of Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Patient Decision-Making Tool (PDF, Government of Ontario).

It is recommended, but not required, that individuals who are pregnant talk with their treating health care provider, or with a health care provider familiar with their pregnancy, before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.  A conversation about the potential risks and benefits of the vaccine will be important to determine if it is right for you and will help to ensure that an informed choice is made. This conversation should also cover the potential risks of acquiring a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy, the potential risks or consequences associated with a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and acknowledgement of the limited evidence from clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines in the pregnant population. For more information, refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations (PDF, Government of Ontario) and COVID-19 Vaccination: Special Populations Vaccination in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Decision-Making Support Tool (PDF, Government of Ontario).

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada indicates that those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at any time if they are eligible and don’t have contraindications. For further details, refer to their statement on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy (PDF, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada). Based on decades of experience administering other vaccines during pregnancy, it is expected that the COVID-19 vaccine would yield similar effectiveness in pregnant individuals as they would with non-pregnant individuals. In general, vaccines are immunogenic, safe and efficacious when given to pregnant individuals.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) recommends that pregnant individuals receive a full COVID-19 vaccine series (preferably with an mRNA vaccine). Pregnant individuals in the authorized age group may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual and the fetus, and if informed consent includes discussion about the evidence of the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this population. The reason that mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna) are preferred for use during pregnancy is due to recently published data from a study in the United States indicating the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnant women. In addition, treating vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) in pregnant individuals, should it occur following the administration of a viral vector vaccine, is complex. Based on current evidence, VITT does not seem to be associated with the use of mRNA vaccines. For more details, refer to the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations’ (NACI) statement (Government of Canada).

The administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now paused. Read Ontario’s statement. As of May 21, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COIVD-19 vaccine may proceed. Read Ontario’s News Release.

People who have autoimmune conditions, immunodeficiency conditions, and those who are immunosuppressed can choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine following a thorough conversation with a Health Care Provider. This conversation can, and often will occur, between the individual and the immunizer during the appointment. For specifics about this conversation, please refer to the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations.

The Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC) has established a process regarding COVID-19 vaccination for cancer patients in Northeast Ontario, including Sudbury and districts area. Cancer patients with questions about the timing of their COVID-19 vaccine in relation to their treatment, whether chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy or other therapies, are asked to call 705-522-6237 x2900. A nurse will review your cancer treatment schedule with you, provide counsel, and determine the most appropriate timing for your COVID-19 vaccine, given your specific circumstances.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, your immunization should be postponed until they resolve. Waiting to get the vaccine until you are feeling well will allow you to identify any side effects, without potentially confusing them with symptoms of an illness. It will also help reduce the risk of transmitting the illness at the immunization clinic site.

Yes. The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) recommends that people who have previously had a confirmed COVID-19 infection get the COVID-19 vaccine. This is because the length of time immunity lasts after a COVID-19 infection resolves is currently unknown, and reinfections have been reported.

You should wait 14 days before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if you have had another type of vaccine.

After completing your COVID-19 vaccine series, you should wait for 28 days before getting other vaccines. If for some reason you need another vaccine within 28 days, discuss this with your primary health care provider.

The vaccine has been shown to prevent or reduce symptoms due to COVID-19, thereby reducing hospitalizations and possible long-term effects. We expect that the COVID-19 vaccine will contribute to ending the pandemic. It will also help to keep our case numbers low, protect lives, our health care system, our education systems as well as our economy.

Here are some more reasons for getting the vaccine for COVID-19:
1) COVID-19 can be a serious illness for many people (especially older adults).
2) For some people, symptoms can last for months (leaving long-term effects).
3) The virus can even damage the heart, brain, lungs and increase the risk of long-term health problems.
4) Even young, healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months following a COVID-19 infection.
5) There is a greater risk of mortality among older adults, particularly those living in Long Term Care Homes.
6) Maintaining your health, helps to keep the people around you healthy.

Remember, even after you get the vaccine, keep following public health measures until most people have been vaccinated.

Like most vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered intramuscularly (into the muscle) at the top of the arm.

The dosing schedule requires two doses, for each of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines. The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine requires only a single-dose.

The administration of first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine is now paused. Read Ontario’s statement. As of May 21, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced that second dose administration of the AstraZeneca COIVD-19 vaccine may proceed. Read Ontario’s News Release.

Like any other vaccine or medication, there are potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, although not everyone experiences them Individuals who experience side effects mostly reported them as being mild and within the first two days after vaccination.  The most common side effects include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, and mild fever.

With ongoing monitoring of the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines serious side effects found are extremely rare.  Individuals who experienced these rare side effects appear to be mild and respond well to conservative treatment (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and rest.

If you experience side effects that are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days, please see immediate medical attention. Examples od side effect can include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• trouble breathing
• chest pain
• irregular hearth rate
• serious drowsiness
• high fever (over 40°C)
• convulsions or seizures
• other serious symptoms (e.g., “pins and needles” or numbness)

The benefits of COVID-19 vaccines continue to outweigh their potential risks, as scientific evidence shows that they reduce deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19. The federal, provincial, and local public health authorities encourage people to get vaccinated and to complete their vaccine series as soon as they are eligible. The COVID-19 vaccine may also help stop the spread to others.

Speak with your health care provider if you experienced any symptoms or adverse events after vaccination. All adverse reactions will be documented in real time and reported to Public Health for follow-up.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends that two doses of an mRNA vaccine should be offered to all individuals 12 years of age and older. Receiving a second dose will provide you with better and longer protection against COVID-19, including the delta variant.

Because of an increased supply of the COVID-19 vaccine, if you are 18 years of age and over, you are encouraged to book your second dose based on the monograph (minimum of 21 days for Pfizer-BioNTech or minimum of 28 days for Moderna). Effective Monday, July 5, youth between the ages of 12 to 17, can also book second dose appointments at a 28-day interval. Individuals 12 to 17 years old must book into a clinic offering Pfizer. Once eligible, all individuals 12+ may also attend walk-in clinics for a second dose at a minimum of 21 days after a first dose of Pfizer or 28 days after a first dose of Moderna. Please note, if you are under 18 years of age,  make sure you attend a walk-in clinic for your age group.

If your first dose was AstraZeneca, for your second dose you can choose to receive either:

• A second dose of AstraZeneca
• An mRNA vaccine (either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna)

If you choose a second dose of AstraZeneca, you can get your second dose  8 to 12 weeks after the first. If you choose an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) for your second dose, you can book a second dose only appointment 12 weeks after your first dose or attend a walk-in clinic.

Individuals with exceptions to the extended dose interval, can get their second dose of a vaccine per product monograph (between 4 to 12 weeks after first dose).

Check out our COVID-19 vaccine clinic page for more information, local eligibility and booking details.

Yes. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (Government of Canada) has confirmed that a mixed vaccine schedule for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) is both safe and effective and the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) are considered interchangeable.

This means, if you received Pfizer for your first dose, you can receive Moderna for your second dose and vice versa. Either option for your second dose is safe, provides strong protection against COVID-19, and will complete your COVID-19 vaccine series. The mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) have a very similar mechanism of action, are highly effective and result in the antibodies your body needs to fight COVID-19.

If you get a different mRNA product for your second dose, the minimum dosing interval is determined by the product monograph of your first dose. This means, if you got a first dose of Pfizer, you can get your second dose of either mRNA vaccine a minimum of 21 days later. If you got a first dose of Moderna, you can get your second dose of either mRNA vaccine a minimum of 28 days later. Once you are ready and eligible for your second dose, it is recommended that you get the first available mRNA vaccine, without delay.

All Public Health-led clinics offer mRNA vaccines. Individuals who book into mass immunization clinics will receive an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine offered will be dependent on what we have available at the time of the clinic. We will provide information regarding the type of mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) planned for each clinic, subject to change based on vaccine availability. You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.

With the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading throughout Ontario, it is more important than ever to complete the vaccine series and boost immune response. Individuals must complete the vaccine series with two doses to be best protected from getting sick with COVID-19.

When interchanging mRNA vaccines, the time between doses to complete the vaccine series is determined by the product of the first dose. For example, this means if your first dose was the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, you could get a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna a minimum of 21 days after the first. However, if your first dose was the Moderna vaccine, you could get your second dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna a minimum of 28 days after the first.

With informed consent, individuals who received AstraZeneca for their first dose have two options to choose from for their second dose. This means the second dose can be an mRNA vaccine or a second dose of AstraZeneca.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (Government of Canada) states that an mRNA vaccine is the preferred option as the second dose (8 to 12 weeks later) for those who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This is based on evidence of potentially better immune response from this mixed vaccine schedule and to mitigate the potential risk of Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) associated with viral vector vaccines. Alternatively, you can get AstraZeneca for your second dose, 8 to 12 weeks after your first dose. Getting two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine provides good protection against COVID-19.

While evidence shows that a longer interval between two doses of AstraZeneca (12 weeks) provides more protection, some may choose to receive their second dose sooner to have the protection from the second dose earlier. Both options for second doses are safe, provide protection against COVID-19, and will complete the COVID-19 vaccine series.

With the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading throughout Ontario, it is more important than ever to complete the vaccine series and boost immune response. Individuals must complete the vaccine series with two doses to improve vaccine effectiveness. It is recommended that you get the first available vaccine, without delay to complete your vaccination series.

To ensure maximum protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, individuals should get their second dose as soon as they are eligible. With the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading throughout Ontario, it is more important than ever to get your second dose to complete your vaccine series as full vaccination offers the greatest protection. All vaccines provided in Ontario provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants.

In June 2021, a small number of cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were identified in Ontario however these cases have typically been mild. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis is inflammation of the lining around the heart. These cases are not known to be related to the vaccine and Canada is not currently seeing higher rates than would be expected for these diagnoses.  The investigations to date have not led Ontario, or any other jurisdictions, to change its vaccine guidance.

The Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada are closely monitoring the situation. Available information to date indicates the following:

• Cases were more commonly reported after the second dose.
• Symptoms typically appeared within several days following vaccination.
• Cases were mainly among adolescents and young adults.
• Cases were among males more often than females.
• Cases experienced mild illness and symptoms improved quickly (they responded well to conservative treatment and rest).

Based on recommendations from The National Advisory Committee on Immunization. All individuals 12 years of age and older should continue to be offered two doses of the mRNA vaccine for which they are eligible. As a precaution, individuals who experienced the very rare myocarditis and/or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Public Health Agency of Canada, PDF)  should wait to get their second dose until more information is available. As part of their ongoing review, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada advise that they are not seeing higher rates of myocarditis and pericarditis than normally expected due to other causes in the general population. There is currently no clear causal association established between myocarditis and pericarditis and mRNA vaccines.

Informed consent is required for all vaccinations. Individuals eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine who have questions, are encouraged to speak with their health care provider prior to receiving an mRNA vaccine.

All vaccines used in Ontario have been approved by Health Canada and are safe and effective. Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to recommend getting your COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. With the Delta variant circulating in Ontario, all individuals should book an appointment for their first dose and all eligible for their second dose are encouraged to book an appointment or attend a walk-in clinic as soon as possible.

Individuals most at risk for complications if they become sick with COVID-19, and the people who care for them, should get the vaccine first. These populations include residents, staff and essential caregivers in long-term care home and retirement homes; health care workers in hospitals; people living and working in other congregate care settings; as well as remote Indigenous communities. They will be sequenced to receive the vaccine during Phase 1 of local vaccine rollout. Learn more about the recommended groups identified by the National Advisory Council on Immunizations (NACI) and the key groups identified by the Government of Ontario.

The province of Ontario has announced that the COVID-19 vaccine will rollout in three phases. People who do not fall into a key population group can expect to receive the vaccine during Phase 3.

The COVID-19 vaccine will be rolled out to identified key groups first. These groups include residents, staff, and essential caregivers in long-term care and retirements homes. As an employee or essential caregiver, you work with some of the most vulnerable people in our community. As you know, many of the residents would be unable to complete their day-to-day activities without your help. By getting the vaccine you will be less likely to get sick with COVID-19. Staying safe and healthy helps keep those you care for safe and healthy too.

If you are eligible for the vaccine and it is available, you are strongly encouraged to get immunized as soon as you can.

If you are unwell after you receive your COVID-19 vaccination and are and unable to work, you may be eligible for paid pandemic leave for the period of illness up to 14 consecutive calendar days. Please consult your supervisor and administrator if you need to take pandemic leave.

If you experience mild COVID-19 symptoms after vaccination, follow the instructions from your workplace.

Yes. Staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 after the second dose according to the testing frequency currently required. This is based on the current guidance from the provincial government.

At this time, the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory, but highly encouraged for staff to help protect against the COVID-19 virus.

For a complete list of documents required to plan and implement a clinic at your location, please refer to our guidance for health care providers, long-term care homes, and retirement homes and review the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Communications in a Box. In addition, review all planning documents on the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care’s website.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is leading the planning and roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine and working with local agencies and key stakeholders to coordinate distribution, administration, and public communication. Public Health has a mandate to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases through immunization and has much experience in community-based publicly-funded immunization programs. Throughout planning, we will continuously consider local engagement, geography, access, and equity. This ongoing work will continue to be informed by a depth of experience with the seasonal influenza vaccine campaign as well as with immunization campaigns in response to the H1N1 pandemic and local cases of meningitis and hepatitis A, among others.

The Province of Ontario is leading the overall immunization strategy for Ontario and identifying who will get the vaccine first. The Province has announced a phased approach to immunization and identified key population groups (Government of Ontario) that should receive the vaccine first.

The Federal Government is responsible for obtaining and approving vaccine. They will also distribute the vaccine across the country.

The simple answer is no, at least not right away. Continued public health measures like wearing your mask or face covering, practising physical distancing, and washing your hands frequently will be necessary even after the vaccine has been introduced. They will be recommended for everyone, including individuals who receive the vaccine. This is until we achieve widespread protection against the virus.

Everyone should continue with COVID-19 recommended public health measures even after being immunized. This is because there is not enough data yet to let us know how long the vaccine will protect us. Also, more studies need to be done to understand how well the vaccines protect us against getting infected and not showing symptoms (asymptomatic infections) and potentially spreading the virus to others. There is evidence that the recommended public health measures, including physical distancing, masking, hand hygiene, and isolation, are effective in preventing spread.

While not mandatory, the vaccine is highly recommended for all eligible individuals.

Ontarians who receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be provided with poof of receipt. At this time, the specifics of what this document will look like are still being finalized by the province.

COVID-19 vaccine storage and handling conditions are outlined in detail in the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines.

Yes. New guidance outlining the specific transport requirements for the Pfizer vaccine were released early January 2021. This means that like the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can now be brought directly to the places where identified key populations (Health Canada) live. This includes places like long-term care homes, retirement homes, and congregate care settings, as well as rural and remote locations. Specific transportation requirements have been provided by the Ministry of Health to ensure that the vaccine is moved safely.