COVID-19 vaccine Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our Vaccination Clinics for COVID-19 page to see who is currently eligible and currently recommended to receive a vaccine, and for information on clinic dates, locations and how to book an appointment. Public Health Sudbury & Districts will continue to have a number of clinic opportunities in the upcoming months. This page is updated frequently as new information becomes available.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts will primarily offer the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines including Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax at each of their clinics. Vaccines being offered will be based on an individual’s age and availability of vaccine at each clinic. The bivalent mRNA vaccines will be available in limited supply for the completion or initiation of a primary series for all individuals 6 months and old who refuse to receive the recommended XBB.1.5-containing formulation.

Novavax Nuvaxovid, a non-mRNA vaccine, is a protein-based vaccine that is offered to individuals who are unable or not willing to receive an mRNA vaccine. If you are interested in receiving Novavax Nuvaxovid please contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts to be added to a waiting list as this vaccine is not routinely offered in clinics.

Click here to see a list of the vaccinations available at Public Health Sudbury & Districts, as well as in pharmacies and at primary care providers. It is important to note that not all pharmacies and primary care providers carry the COVID-19 vaccines. You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.

COVID-19 clinics are offered throughout the Public Health Sudbury & Districts jurisdiction. Click here to see the list of clinics. Client screening, masking, and physical distancing are still required when entering a COVID-19 immunization clinic.

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

Before your appointment

1. 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.
2. Eat and drink something before heading out to your appointment to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
3. Wear a top that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt.
4. A mask will be provided to you upon entry. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not attend the clinic. Please cancel your appointment.
5. 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, use hand sanitizer, and maintain physical distancing. A medical-grade mask will be provided to those that do not have one.
2. You will be asked to read through a list of screening questions prior to entering the clinic. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please defer your vaccine. A staff member will direct you to the next available immunizer.
3. The immunizer will answer any questions you may have and ensure that you are an eligible candidate for the vaccine (without contraindications).
4. 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

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. An electronic certificate of your COVID-19 vaccine will be emailed to you after you receive your dose.
3. A printout copy of your COVID-19 vaccine certificate can be requested after your immunization at the clinic.
4. Should you experience any adverse effects, as with all immunizations, inform your primary health care provider or seek emergency medical care if warranted.
5. Remember that mild side effects can be a sign that your immune system is working to build an immune response.

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. This helps to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. It also helps to reduce the risk of post COVID-19 conditions (commonly known as long COVID).

It is important that you receive all recommended doses of the vaccine to stay up-to-date and to build long-term protection against COVID-19.

The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends a dose of the XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for individuals in the authorized age group. Any vaccine with the XBB.1.5-containing formulation is expected to target the Omicron subvariant strains that are circulating locally and across the globe and those that are expected to circulate throughout this respiratory season.

Yes. Select pharmacies (Government of Ontario) and primary care settings are administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes. If you work, study, live in, and or are visiting 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.

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.

Individuals who have received any dose of their COVID-19 vaccine(s) 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 (COVaxON). If you do not have a residence within the Sudbury District, please report your COVID-19 vaccinations to the public health unit servicing your area.

If you have received any of your COVID-19 doses and are eligible to receive another dose, 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.

If you attend a vaccination clinic and your dose(s) are not recorded in the provincial database, you may still be eligible to receive a dose. Please bring all vaccine documentation with you to your vaccination appointment and a staff member will help you to determine if you are eligible for your next dose.

Using personal protective measures such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering for those that may be deemed high risk of severe illness if they are infected, increasing ventilation in indoor spaces, and hand washing along with getting the COVID-19 vaccine are all protective layers that we continue to encourage. Review the COVID-19 Risk Index for more information and details on when these protective measures should be applied.

Yes! All COVID-19 vaccines used in Ontario are approved by Health Canada and are considered safe for use in approved populations. Please visit Health Canada to read more, or 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. Some COVID-19 vaccines are considered 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.

For more information on mRNA vaccines please visit Health Canada’s website for more information.

There are three types of non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada:

• Protein-based vaccines (for example, Novavax Nuvaxovid)
• Viral vector-based vaccines (for example, AstraZeneca Vaxzevria and JCOVDEN (Janssen)
• Plant based virus-like particle vaccines (for example, Medicago Covifenz)

Protein-based vaccines use harmless and purified pieces (proteins) of the virus, which have been specifically selected for their ability to trigger an immune response inside our body. The vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 because they only contain small, purified pieces of proteins and not the virus. Novavax Nuvaxovid is available for those not able or not wanting to receive an mRNA vaccine.

Viral vector-based vaccines use a harmless virus (in this case, the adenovirus) as a delivery system. Adenoviruses are viruses that cause the common cold. There are many different types, including those that cause colds in humans and those that infect other species. Adenoviruses do not cause COVID-19, and you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine. Astra Zeneca Vaxzevria is not available in Ontario and JCOVDEN Janssen is no longer available in Ontario or Canada.

Plant based virus-like particle vaccines use plant-based technology. The virus’ genetic code is delivered to the leaf cell of the plant using harmless bacteria. The plant’s natural cell process is used to produce a non-infectious virus-like particles that mimics the spike virus that causes COVID-19. The Medicago vaccine is not available in Ontario.

For more information on non-mRNA vaccine eligibility and how to book and appointment, visit our vaccine clinic page.

Yes. The clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccines included people of different races and ethnicities. Vaccine efficacy (how effective the vaccine is) is continuously analyzed for all races and ethnicities.

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.

If you have allergies, for example to foods, oral drugs, insect venom, latex, 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. Individuals with allergy issues like asthma and eczema can receive the vaccine followed by observation for a minimum of 15 minutes.

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 an allergy to any components of the COVID-19 vaccine or had an allergic reaction within 4 hours of receiving a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you should speak with a physician or nurse practitioner who will complete an evaluation to determine if you can safely receive the vaccine.

It is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while breastfeeding (Government of Ontario), and there is no need to stop or delay breastfeeding after getting vaccinated. Getting vaccinated by receiving all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including any booster dose(s) when eligible, will provide strong protection against COVID-19 and help prevent you from passing it to your baby and other family members.

If you get vaccinated while breastfeeding, the vaccine itself will not transfer into breastmilk.  Studies suggest that the antibodies you produce following vaccination will transfer and may protect your baby who is not yet eligible for vaccination from COVID-19. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding by visiting our Parent and guardian (COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccine resources pages.

If you’re pregnant you can safely get the COVID-19 vaccine (Government of Ontario) in any trimester of pregnancy. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) recommends that pregnant individuals receive the full COVID-19 vaccine series, followed by a booster doses when eligible. The Government of Ontario recommends (PDF) that all pregnant women get vaccinated as soon as possible at any stage in pregnancy, or even before becoming pregnant.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding by visiting our Parent and guardian (COVID-19) and COVID-19 vaccine resources pages.

Yes, individuals who are immunocompromised should receive the COVID-19 vaccine as they are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and even death from COVID-19. Immunocompromised individuals who have been previously vaccinated are strongly recommended to receive an XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 vaccine this fall if it has been six months since their previous dose or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

No, if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 it is important to stay home and get tested. Click here for more information on what to do if you test positive or are symptomatic.

Yes! If you have had a recent SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) infection, you have developed some natural immunity to COVID-19. This type of immunity starts to decrease 3 to 6 months after your positive COVID-19 infection. The Government of Ontario recommends that healthy individuals 6 months of age and older infected with COVID-19 before initiating or completing their primary series wait 8 weeks (56 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic) before receiving their next dose.

Immunocompromised individuals 6 months of age and older should wait 4 to 8 weeks (28 to 56 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic) before receiving their next dose.

The Government of Ontario recommends that individuals infected with COVID-19 and who have been previously vaccinated receive the vaccine three to six months (84 to 168 days) after previous COVID-19 infection (characterized by positive test or after having symptoms post contact with someone who had a positive test).

The vaccine has been shown to prevent or reduce symptoms of COVID-19, and reduce hospitalizations and possible long-term effects (Government of  Canada) including post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (also known as long COVID or post COVID-19 condition). It will also help to keep our case numbers low, protect lives, and reduce the burden placed on our health care system.

Here are some more reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine:

• People who have COVID-19 may spread the virus to others, including friends and family who are not eligible for vaccination and people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Some people may have long-term health issues after COVID-19 infection, even after a person recovers from their initial infection.
• Getting sick with COVID-19 can cause severe illness or death, and we can’t reliably predict who will have mild or severe symptoms.

Vaccination is very important, even if you’ve been previously infected with COVID-19. While infection alone provides some protection, vaccination after infection helps improve the immune response and may provide better and longer-lasting protection.

All individuals eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live, non-live, adjuvanted, and non-adjuvanted vaccines. An adjuvant is an ingredient used in some vaccines that helps create a stronger immune response in people receiving the vaccine. In other words, adjuvants help vaccines work better.

There are two exceptions to this. The first one is the Imvamune vaccine provided for mpox. If vaccine timing can be planned, it is recommended to wait at least four weeks before or after administration of an Imvamune vaccine, however the administration of Imvamune as pre- or post-exposure vaccination should not be delayed in an individual who has recently received a COVID-19 vaccine. This suggested waiting period is precautionary. For the Arexvy vaccine used for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), it is recommended to wait at least two weeks before or after administration of the RSV vaccine.

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

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 (for example., 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 seek immediate medical attention. Examples of side effects can include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• trouble breathing
• chest pain
• irregular heart rate
• serious drowsiness
• high fever (over 40°C)
• convulsions or seizures
• other serious symptoms (for example, “pins and needles” or numbness)
• myocarditis and pericarditis

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 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 can also help reduce the spread to others.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommends that a primary series of an mRNA vaccine should be offered to all individuals 6 months of age and older. Receiving booster dose(s) if you are eligible will provide you with better and longer protection against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant.

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

Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax vaccines can be safely interchanged. Individuals 5 to 29 years of age are preferentially recommended to get the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine for their primary series.

For children aged 6 months to 4 years, it is recommended that once an immunization series is initiated, the same product should be continued until the primary series is complete where possible. This is especially important for this population due to the difference in the number of doses that comprise the primary series between Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax. If it is not possible to complete the primary series using the same product, a mixed series at the recommended intervals is possible.

You can speak with the immunizer if you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine available to you at the clinic.

No. The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory. The Province of Ontario removed vaccine requirements in designated spaces and settings in April 2022. The vaccine is highly recommended for all eligible individuals. Individuals are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with recommended doses.

No. The Ontario removed vaccine requirements in designated spaces and settings in April 2022. While Public Health Sudbury & Districts strongly encourages the implementation of a COVID-19 vaccination policy in the workplace, this recommendation is voluntary, and is not legally enforceable. A vaccine policy may include elements such as providing education on the benefits of vaccination for eligible individuals, requiring or proactively encouraging vaccination, staying up-to-date on doses, and provision of opportunities to get vaccinated. Vaccination requirements are subject to the Human Rights Code and shall not be applied to residents in congregate living settings.

In Ontario, the recommended COVID-19 vaccine is any mRNA XBB.1.5-containing formulation. The dose administered and number of doses required will be dependent on the age of the client and whether they were previously vaccinated or unvaccinated.

These doses provide children with the same level of protection as the higher doses needed for adolescents and adults. Younger children’s immune systems can mount a more robust response to a vaccine with a smaller dose and have the same type of protection as the higher doses needed for adolescents and adults. Click here to see eligibility and doses recommended for children 6 months to 4 years and children aged 5 to 11 years.

Many COVID-19 cases in children can be asymptomatic or mild, but some of those cases are more severe. Some children infected with COVID-19 can get severe lung infections, become very sick, and require hospitalization.

Without vaccination, all children will likely contract the virus at some point, and children who are infected with COVID-19 can develop multisystem inflammatory syndrome (a rare but serious condition). Benefits of vaccination also include reduced time away from school or activities, with positive impacts on physical and mental health.

For some people, symptoms can last for months (possible long-term effects) and follow them through life. For a list of possible long COVID-19 symptoms visit SickKids web page or Health Canada’s post COVID-19 condition page.

The vaccine also reduces the spread of COVID-19 in the community for people who are at risk for severe illness (the elderly, people who are immunocompromised, and people who can’t get vaccinated). Providing the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to all who are currently eligible, will help reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and schools and allow children to participate in activities that benefit their health and well-being.

Children aged 6 months to 5 years of age can receive the COVID-19 vaccine directly at our Public Health offices. Children aged 5 to 11 will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through a variety of delivery channels, including: at our Public Health office clinics, immunization clinics within the community, (for example, in arenas, libraries, and other community venues), pharmacies and primary care offices.

Parents seeking information on upcoming mass immunization and pop-up clinics within the Public Health Sudbury & Districts service area can visit our Vaccination clinics for COVID-19 page. Parents and guardians seeking additional information about COVID-19 vaccines and children can visit Public Health Sudbury & Districts Child and Youth Vaccination toolkit, Health Canada’s website, the Government of Ontario’s website or Max the Vax. Parents, caregivers and children can also call the Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1.833.943.3900, or visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids clinician.

There is no minimum age to consent to treatment in Ontario. Rather, Ontario uses a capacity-based consent model. A person is capable of consenting to treatment if they can understand the information that is relevant to making the decision and are able to appreciate the consequences of the decision.

The consent process for children aged 5 to 11 is the same used for older individuals. However, those aged 5 to 11 may not have the same capacity to consent for themselves as older age groups and, in most cases, may require parental consent before receiving the vaccine. Parents, legal guardians, or proxy decision-makers of children aged 6 months to 11 years of age may be asked to provide consent on behalf of the child at the time of the appointment if the health care practitioner deems the child to be incapable of consenting to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Consent by the parent, legal guardian, or proxy decision-maker will be captured in the provincial COVaxON database using proxy-based consent. Paper consent forms for their child are also available should one not wish to have their information captured in COVaxON.

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

Side effects can be a sign that your body is working to develop your immunity and usually resolve within a day or two. Even if your child experiences mild side effects, it is important they receive the second dose. Keep in mind: they may or may not have the same side effects with their second dose.

In the clinical trial of this age group there were no reports of myocarditis or pericarditis three months after dose two. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been typically reported in males 18 to 39 after their second dose of the Moderna Spikevax vaccine.

All vaccines approved by Health Canada go through the same approval process. Even after approval, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will continuously monitor the vaccines over time to ensure the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

The risk of myocarditis or pericarditis with Moderna Spikevax in children 6 to 11 years of age is unknown; however, the Ministry of Health has made a preferential recommendation for the use of Pfizer-BioNTech for individuals 5 to 29 years of age. With informed consent, consideration for use of the Moderna Spikevax (50 mcg) vaccine may be provided for individuals aged 6 to 11 years. A number of cases of myocarditis and pericarditis following immunization with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been reported in Ontario, Canada, and internationally. Cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been typically reported in males 18 to 39 after their second dose of the Moderna Spikevax vaccine (Public Health Ontario, PDF). Cases have experienced mild illness and symptoms improved quickly (they responded well to rest and general medical care—such as anti-inflammatory medications).

The list of possible causes or triggers for myocarditis/pericarditis is broad and includes both infectious (for example, recent viral, bacterial, fungal, tuberculosis, parasitic infection), and non-infectious triggers (for example auto-immune, connective tissue disease, metabolic (for example, renal), malignancy, trauma, toxins, drug-induced). At this time, the Varicella (smallpox) vaccination is the only vaccine that has ever been conclusively linked to myocarditis.

Myocarditis and pericarditis have also been associated with recent COVID-19 infection. Currently, it has been observed that the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 infection increased in both males and females under the age of 40 years. Specifically, in young male adolescents and adults ages 18 to 39 years old.

Previously, dosing schedules varied for immunocompromised children aged 6 months to 4 years depending on which vaccine was used. They may have been offered a primary series that includes an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (3 doses), whereas moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals 5 years and older should receive a primary series that includes an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (3 doses).

With the release of the updated XBB.1.5-containing mRNA vaccines, guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) as to whether an additional dose is recommended for these populations is pending. This section will be updated as guidance is known.