COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are readily available at many pharmacies, as well as some other select locations.  Because these vaccines must remain frozen until administration, our office is not currently able to offer COVID-19 vaccines.  If you are unsure where you can obtain a COVID-19 vaccine, Learn where to get vaccinated and book an appointment today.

Only vaccines that Health Canada has approved and determined to be safe and effective will be administered in Ontario.

All vaccines:

• are safe
• can be safely taken along with other vaccines such as annual flu shots for individuals 6 months and older
• provide strong protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and its variants

Individuals are recommended to receive mRNA vaccines due to the strong protection offered and well-established safety and effectiveness data.

If you have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines or if you do not wish to receive an mRNA vaccine, Novavax is available upon request through your local public health unit, health care provider or participating pharmacy. An XBB formulation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is expected later this fall. In the interim, the Novavax vaccine targeting the original COVID-19 is still available and is authorized for those aged 12 years and older with no previous vaccinations or needing to restart the vaccine series and for those aged 18 years and older who have previously been vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines have varying doses based on product or age of indication. You will be offered an age-appropriate and Health Canada approved booster dose based on your eligibility at the time of vaccination.

The XBB formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all eligible individuals aged 6 months and older.

Learn more about the vaccines from Health Canada.

Vaccines for children and youth

Vaccines are safe, effective, and are the best way to remain protected against COVID-19 and its variants. They are an important tool to help prevent serious illness and support the overall health and wellbeing of our children and communities.

Health Canada has approved COVID‑19 vaccines for use in children aged 6 months and older and determined that these vaccines:

• are safe, effective and manufactured with rigorous quality control and assurance
• show a strong immune response and prepare the immune system to fight against COVID‑19 and its variants
• significantly decrease the risk of severe outcomes from COVID‑19 infection
• significantly decrease the risk of longer-term illness from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) or adults (MIS-A), a rare but serious condition that can occur in the weeks following COVID‑19 infection

Children and youth who are not up to date on other vaccines can still receive a COVID‑19 vaccine.

If your child is behind on immunizations, we encourage you to book an appointment with your doctor to get up to date.

Children aged 6 months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after other routine vaccines. Parents and caregivers should discuss vaccination with their health care provider to determine the best timing for COVID-19 vaccination.

Learn more about vaccines for children at school.