COVID-19 Vaccines

Everyone has been anticipating the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine and is anxious for more information. Durham Region Health Department remains committed to sharing information as soon as it becomes available.

The decisions regarding how the vaccine will be distributed across Ontario and who will be vaccinated first are under the control of the provincial government. The province has developed a three-phase plan for vaccinating Ontarians which is available on its COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario web page. The plan focuses first on vulnerable populations who are at greatest risk of COVID-19. At this time, the Health Department has not received any vaccine and we are awaiting further information from the province regarding timelines.

While many people with COVID-19 have only mild illness, others may get a severe illness or they may even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not at increased risk of severe complications. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an immune response without having to experience the illness of COVID-19.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada on December 9, 2020.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was authorized for use in Canada on December 23, 2020.

These vaccines will be an important tool to help stop the spread of the virus.

• You will need two doses, given by an injection in the shoulder (deltoid) muscle.
• mRNA vaccines do not contain whole or live SARS-CoV-2 and therefore cannot cause a COVID-19 infection.
• mRNA vaccines have been studied for over two decades and are a new vaccine platform, but not a new technology.
• mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA and mRNA is destroyed by cells once the body has finished using its instructions.

mRNA vaccines differ from live attenuated vaccines and inactivated vaccines. Live attenuated vaccines contain a living virus or bacteria which has been weakened so it cannot cause serious harm. Inactivated vaccines are made by inactivating or killing the bacteria or virus during the manufacturing process.

• mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in the short term against confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 disease from one to two weeks after completing the two-dose series.
• In trials for people 18 years of age or older without a history of COVID-19, the vaccine was 94 per cent (Moderna) and 95 per cent (Pfizer) effective 14 days after the second dose was received. 
• There is no evidence on medium and long term efficacy. Trials are ongoing.
• Protection after the first dose is lower than the effectiveness achieved after the second dose. There is limited research on the protection offered from a single dose.
• There is limited evidence on long term protection and the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in preventing death, hospitalization, symptom-free infection and reducing transmission of COVID-19.
• There is minimal evidence on differences in vaccine efficacy between individuals who have and have not previously been infected with COVID-19.
• Currently, there is insufficient evidence to determine if the COVID-19 vaccines are effective against symptom-free infection and transmission.

Health Canada’s independent drug authorization process is known worldwide for its high standards and demanding reviews. Decisions to authorize vaccines for use in Canada are based only on scientific and medical evidence demonstrating that vaccines are safe and effective. These stringent requirements have not changed for the approval of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada.

What has changed is that Health Canada has developed a fast-track review process to assess COVID-19 vaccines. Manufacturers can submit research and new evidence for review by Health Canada as it becomes available and throughout clinical trials. Previously, all clinic 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. Vaccines are only approved once evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, of good quality and that the benefits outweigh any risks.

Watch the vaccine safety in Canada video

Creating a new vaccine can take years. The COVID-19 vaccine happened so quickly for many reasons including:

• advances in science and technology,
• international collaboration among scientists, health professionals, researchers, industry and governments; and
• increased funding to find a vaccine.

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.

Vaccines are only approved once evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, of good quality and that the benefits outweigh any risks.

No. mRNA cannot alter or modify a person's DNA. mRNA vaccines do not affect or interact with DNA and mRNA is destroyed by cells once the body has finished using its instructions.

No. The COVID-19 vaccines do not use a live virus, so getting the infection from the vaccine is impossible. The COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause a COVID-19 infection.

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals were not included in clinic trials of the vaccine meaning there is no data on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy or during breastfeeding. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider if they are at an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 (e.g. health care or essential worker) or increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease (pre-existing medical condition, body mass index of 40 or more). A risk assessment can determine if the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risk for the individual and the infant.

Yes. Individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to get the vaccine if they are no longer symptomatic and meet other eligibility criteria.

Reinfections with COVID-19 are possible, it is important to protect yourself by getting the vaccine.

Some people may experience side effects from the vaccine, but these will likely be moderate and resolve after a few days. Some of the symptoms are part of the body's response to developing immunity.

Side effects reported in clinical trials for this vaccine include:

In rare cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary.

Seek medical attention if you have trouble breathing, develop hives, or develop swelling of the face and throat. As with all vaccines, vaccine side effects will continue to be monitored as people receive the vaccine.

If you develop a reaction to the vaccine, contact your health care provider who will report the side effect directly to public health. Public health will keep track of the reported side effects to make sure the vaccine continues to be safe.

• Delay vaccination if you have a fever, are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or have received a vaccine in the past 14 days.
• Avoid trying to get pregnant for at least a month after getting both doses of the vaccine.
• If you are on blood thinner medication, a smaller needle will be used and you will need to apply pressure for longer after getting the vaccine to reduce bruising.

• The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for all individuals in the authorized age groups without contraindications.
  • for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine - 16 years of age and older.
  • for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine - 18 years of age and older.
• The COVID-19 vaccine is in limited supply at this time.
• Priority groups have been identified and people will be able to get the vaccine in a phased approach based on the Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan.
• Individuals most at risk will be given the vaccine first (e.g. health care workers who work with seniors, adults 70 years of age and older, people living in long-term care and retirement homes and adults living in Indigenous communities).

• Individuals with a severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to any previous COVID-19 vaccine(s) or any part of its packaging.
  • Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is in both vaccines. It can also be found in laxatives, makeup, skin care products, personal lubricants, toothpastes, and some contact lenses. It is also in cough syrup and in some food and drinks. If you are unsure of the ingredients you are allergic to, talk to a health care provider.
• Individuals who are not in the authorized age group should not be offered the vaccine.
• Individuals who are ill with COVID-19 symptoms should wait until they are feeling better.
• Individuals who are unwell for reasons other than COVID-19 should wait until they are feeling better.
• Individuals who received another vaccine (not a COVID-19 vaccine) in the past 14 days.
• Individuals who received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

At this time, the following individuals should not be routinely immunized due to limited evidence. Discuss the vaccine with your health care provider to determine if the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks.

• Individuals who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment.
• Individuals with an autoimmune condition.
• Individuals who are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

Health care and essential workers should speak with their employer about the process for obtaining the vaccine. Long-term-care homes (LTCH) in Durham Region are working with Lakeridge Health directly and immunizations are being provided to staff on a determinant schedule to ensure LTCHs remain fully staffed throughout the vaccine rollout. Family members calling about obtaining the vaccine should contact the LTCH directly for information.

Until we have more information about the impacts of the vaccine, individuals should continue to practice recommended public health measures to prevent COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.

• Wear a face covering.
• Practice physical distancing.
• Avoid social gatherings with those outside of your immediate household.
• Limit non-essential trips outside your home.
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded places.
• Stay home when you are sick.

• Government of Canada (2020). Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Progress. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/covid-19-vaccine-treatment.html#a2
• Government of Ontario (2020). Ontario’s vaccine distribution implementation plan. Retrieved from https://files.ontario.ca/moh-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-implementation-plan-en-2020-12-11-v3.pdf
• National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) (2020). Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/recommendations-use-covid-19-vaccines.html#appa
• Public Health Ontario (2020). COVID-19 vaccines: mRNA vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/vaccines/2020/12/covid-19-mrna-vaccines.pdf?la=en