COVID-19 Vaccines
Latest COVID-19 vaccine updates
- The Ministry of Health has expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for a second booster (fifth dose) for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who meet additional criteria.
- Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children six to 11-years old with informed consent. However, as per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization , the use of pediatric Pfizer is preferred to Moderna to start or continue the primary series due to the unknown risk of myocarditis/pericarditis with the use of Moderna in children six to 11-years old.
- Medicago Covifenz® COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by Health Canada, but is not currently available in Ontario.
- A limited supply of Novavax Nuvaxovid® COVID-19 vaccine is available for individuals 18 years and older who are not able or not willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments are available for May 19. Call 1-888-444-5113 to book an appointment.
- As of April 8, 2022, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine will not be routinely available at Durham Region vaccine clinics. Novavax Nuvaxovid® is the preferred alternative vaccine to mRNA vaccines at this time.
- Emerging evidence indicates that a longer interval between COVID-19 infection and vaccination is associated with improved antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines. This applies to first and second dose as well as booster doses.
Vaccine eligibility and doses
First dose | ||||||||||||||||
Who: Individuals five and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be at least five years old at the time of vaccination. Proof of eligibility requirement: ID with date of birth. |
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Second dose | ||||||||||||||||
The recommended interval is:
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Third dose | ||||||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
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Three dose primary series (for immunocompromised individuals) | ||||||||||||||||
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Fourth dose | ||||||||||||||||
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Fifth dose | ||||||||||||||||
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Re-vaccination | ||||||||||||||||
Special populations
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Community immunization clinics
- Appointment and walk-in opportunities are available at Health Department community immunization clinics for first, second and third doses. Appointments are required for fourth and fifth doses.
- Please verify the interval between doses in the eligibility and doses section before attending a walk-in clinic.
- The best way to secure your vaccine is to book an appointment.
- Clinics are not open every day in all locations. Please ensure you check our clinic calendar for dates and times if you do not have an appointment booked.
Community Immunization Clinic Calendar
Request an interpreter for clients who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing |
Clients who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing and would like to request an interpreter for a vaccination appointment at a community immunization clinic can call 1-888-444-5113 (using Bell Relay as needed) to book an appointment and request the presence of an interpreter at their appointment. |
Frequently asked questions about community immunization clinics | ||||||||||
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Appointments can also be made by calling 1-888-444-5113.
Other places you can get vaccinated
Pop-up and mobile clinics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Provincial GO-VAXX COVID-19 clinic program | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COVID-19 vaccines are also available for individuals five and older through the provincial GO-VAXX program. This program uses GO transit buses as vaccine clinics. You can book an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine at a GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinic. Alternatively, walk-ins are welcome at all GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinics while supplies last. Learn where and when the GO-VAXX mobile vaccine clinics will be providing COVID-19 vaccines. |
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Pharmacies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Select pharmacy locations in the Durham Region are administering vaccines to individuals five years of age and older.
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Health care providers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Designated health care providers in the community are offering COVID-19 vaccines.
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Homebound immunization for eligible clients | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Durham Region residents 5+ who experience challenges leaving their home to receive the vaccine for medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial reasons are eligible for in-home vaccination. These requests can be made to Durham Region Health Department through their primary care physicians, homecare service providers or self-referrals, and may also include their caregivers. Individuals must:
Make a referral for the COVID-19 vaccine to be given at home If you or someone you know meets the above criteria and you would like to make a referral for the COVID-19 vaccine to be given at home, please email RDPShomeboundCOVIDVaccine@durham.ca.
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Proof of vaccination and receipts
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for businesses.
- Businesses can voluntarily implement a proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement upon entry to their facility.
COVID-19 vaccine receipts | ||||
You are considered fully vaccinated in Ontario if you have received:
Individuals should receive all recommended doses (including booster doses) to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Visit the recommended doses guidance to see if you are up to date. * Five COVID-19 vaccines are approved in Canada: two mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), and two viral vector-based vaccines (AstraZeneca and Janssen) and one recombinant protein subunit vaccine (Novavax Nuvaxovid®).
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Reporting vaccines received outside of Ontario or Canada | ||||
Out of province entries requires a careful manual review, verification and data input by staff. Submissions with incomplete or unclear information, including errors may take additional time to process as they require additional follow-up with client or the organization where the vaccines were administered.
Examples of proof include:
Some individuals vaccinated in Ontario received vaccine from what is referred to as non-Ontario stock. This refers to vaccine that was not allocated to Ontario or recorded in the provincial vaccine management system. Generally, these doses were delivered at institutions such as correctional facilities, military groups or embassies. Individuals who received doses of vaccine from the non-Ontario stock may also report out non-Ontario stock vaccinations to Durham Region Health Department using our online form. |
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Requesting a name change on QR codes | ||||
Name changes on QR codes
To change the name on your QR code you will need to have the name on your health card updated through Service Ontario. |
Children five to 11-years old
Children five to 11 years-old are eligible for first and second doses.
Where to get your child vaccinated
Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11
- The recommended interval between the first and second dose for this age group is 56 days after the first dose. Children may be able to receive their second dose less than 56 days after the first dose with informed consent. In these instances, the minimum interval is at least 21 days.
- Practice attending a community immunization clinic by reviewing our COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap.
- Work with your child to answer the questions on the CARD tool asking them how they would like to prepare for the vaccination.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for children five to 11-years old | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Youth 12 to 17-years old
Youth 12 to 17 years-old are eligible for first, second and third doses.
Where to get your youth vaccinated
Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines for 12+ years
- Second dose must be at least 56 days after the first dose.
- Third dose must be at least 168 days after the second dose.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for youth 12 to 17-years old | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines
Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 COVID-19 vaccine information sheet for children age 5-11
Facts about... COVID-19 vaccines for 12+ yearsCOVID-19 vaccine information sheet (age 12+)
General COVID-19 vaccine information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medical and safety information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Vaccine approval and clinical trial (testing) information |
How was Health Canada able to approve the COVID-19 vaccine so quickly? Creating a new vaccine can take years. The COVID-19 vaccine happened so quickly for many reasons including:
Health Canada developed a fast-track review process to assess COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine manufacturers were able to submit research and new evidence for review by Health Canada as it becomes available and throughout clinic trials. Previously, all clinical trials had to be completed prior to applying for Health Canada approval. Health Canada has implemented greater scientific resources, so reviews are completed in a timely manner without compromising any standards for vaccine use in Canada.
Check out this video for more information about how the COVID-19 vaccine was developed. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine and the approval process, visit Health Canada's website. |
How to find trustworthy information on the Internet | ||||||||||||
Are you overwhelmed about all of the COVID-19 vaccine information on the Internet? It is normal to feel nervous about new things. The Internet is filled with all sorts of information and you want to do what is best for you and your family. It is important that you review information that is trustworthy, science-based and updated on a regular basis.
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Who can I speak to for more information? | ||||||||||||
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Myths vs facts | ||||||||||||
Ontario hospital admissions due to COVID-19
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Resources for Indigenous Peoples
The facts about COVID-19 vaccines
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