COVID-19 Vaccine Safety
The COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved in Canada have undergone various levels of trials, followed all appropriate scientific processes and due diligence. All safety protocols have been followed in the approval process, and there have been no compromises in making the vaccine available to the general public. Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines:
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
At this time, NACI recommends that children aged 5 to 11 receive the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before or after another vaccine. For individuals 12 and older, COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live, non-live, adjuvanted or unadjuvanted vaccines.
Clinic Locations and Schedules
| Parkdale Community Centre 119 Birch St, Belleville By appointment only | All dates ages 5+ unless otherwise specified Tues, May 24 – Ages 12+ only Wed, May 25 Thurs, May 26 Fri, May 27 |
| Eldorado Community Centre 15651 ON-62, Madoc By appointment only | All dates ages 12+ only unless otherwise specified Mon, Jun 6 |
| Prince Edward Community Centre 375 Main Street, Picton Walk-in only unless otherwise specified | Ages 5+ Tues, May 31 12 pm to 6 pm |
| Bancroft Hospital Professional Building 1H Manor Lane, Bancroft Call to book: 613-332-2825 ext 6227 Walk-ins welcome | Ages 5+ Thursdays and Fridays until May 20 from 10 am to 4 pm |
| Stirling Railway Station 122 North St., Stirling By appointment only | Ages 12+ Mon, May 30 |
| Batawa Community Centre 81 Plant St, Batawa By appointment only | Ages 12+ Mon, June 13 Mon, June 20 Mon, June 27 |
Booking or Cancelling an Appointment
All eligible individuals who have a green Ontario photo health card (expired cards accepted) may book an appointment at HPEPH clinics that accept appointments for first, second or third/booster doses through the provincial booking site, or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.
Individuals with a red and white Ontario health card may book an appointment through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre by phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Individuals who do not have an Ontario health card must contact HPEPH at 613-966-5500. HPEPH staff will assign a COVID ID (a unique number to be used in place of an Ontario health card number). Individuals with a COVID ID may book an appointment through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre by phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Moderately or severely immuno-compromised individuals who require a second booster (fifth dose) may book an appointment through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre by phone at 1-833-943-3900.
Individuals who need to cancel an appointment for a clinic that was booked through the provincial online vaccine booking system may do so through the manage appointment page or by calling 1-888-999-6488.
Pharmacies
Eligible individuals can receive their vaccination at many participating local pharmacies, by contacting the pharmacy directly. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations for location and registration information.
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
On April 7, individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over may book an appointment for a fourth dose booster five months (140 days) after their third dose.
| Age at first dose | Recommended Intervals |
|---|---|
| 5 to 11 years | First dose Second dose, eight weeks after first dose |
| 12 to 17 years | First dose Second dose, eight weeks after first dose Booster dose, six months after second dose |
| 18 to 59 years | First dose Second dose, eight weeks after first dose Booster dose, three months after second dose |
| ≥60 | First dose Second dose, eight weeks after first dose Booster dose, three months after second dose Second booster dose, five months (140 days) after third dose |
| Moderately or severely immuno-compromised individuals ≥5 years | First dose Second dose, eight weeks after first dose Third dose, three months after second dose Booster dose, (if 12-17) 6 months or (if 18+) 3 months after 3rd dose Second booster dose, (if 60+ or other eligible group) 5 months after previous booster dose |
First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over are eligible to receive a 4th dose booster of COVID-19 vaccine 140 days (5 months) after receiving a third dose.
Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals who are eligible for third/fourth dose vaccination at HPEPH clinics will be required to provide a letter from their health care provider confirming their eligibility, or a copy of a prescription for a qualifying immunosuppressant medication. In order to increase efficiency at vaccination clinics, a letter from a health care provider is strongly preferred.
For additional information about COVID-19 vaccinations, including minimum intervals between doses refer to Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines: Recommended Doses.
Vaccination After COVID-19 Infection
After COVID-19 infection, individuals are advised to wait the recommended interval to receive their next dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
| Infection timing relative to COVID-19 vaccination | Population | Suggested interval between infection and vaccination |
| Before initiation or completion of primary vaccination series | Ages 5+ who are not immunocompromised and have no history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). | 8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test |
| Before initiation or completion of primary vaccination series | Ages 5+ who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and have no history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children MIS-C. | 4-8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test |
| Before initiation or completion of primary vaccination series | Ages 5+ who have a history of MIS-C (regardless of immunocompromised status). | When clinical recovery has been achieved or at least 90 days after MIS-C onset, whichever is longer. |
| After primary series but before first booster dose and/or second booster dose | Individuals currently eligible for booster dose(s). | 3 months after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic). If they are 12-17 years old, the booster dose should be delivered a minimum of 6 months (168 days) after completing the primary series. |
Out of Province Vaccinations
If you received any dose of a COVID-19 vaccination in a different province/out of Canada, please submit your COVID-19 immunization records for out of Ontario vaccination. Note that it may take up to two weeks for your information to be reviewed, approved and registered in the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (COVax) . Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will contact you once your information has been entered and successfully processed.
Recommended Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines and Proof of Vaccination
Being up to date with COVID-19 vaccines means a person has received all recommended doses, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.
Ontario requires proof of vaccination to access certain settings. Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes that businesses and organizations can scan using the Verify Ontario app may be downloaded from covid19.ontariohealth.ca.
You can save the electronic version of your vaccine certificate with a QR code to your phone or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions. If you have a QR code from another Canadian province, Canadian Federal Health Authority, or from selected international health authorities, you do not require an Ontario-specific QR code to use as proof of vaccination. For a complete list of nationally and internationally issued QR codes that are valid in Ontario visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/verify and scroll to the section Accepted Forms of Proof of Vaccination.
Individuals who are unable to download their Ontario enhanced vaccine certificate may call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have your enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed. Individuals who do not have a printer or a mobile device to show proof of vaccination can also contact local public libraries, who can assist with printing.
If you are unable to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for a medical reason, please be aware that as of January 10, 2022, written medical exemptions will no longer be accepted to access settings that require proof of vaccination. To receive an enhanced vaccination certificate with an official QR code due to a medical exemption, submit the necessary documentation to HPEPH.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
HPEPH offers Pfizer or Moderna vaccines at community vaccination clinics. All vaccines being administered in Ontario have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by Health Canada. HPEPH encourages everyone to take advantage of the earliest possible opportunity to get vaccinated. For more information about the safety of vaccines, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/covid-19-vaccines.
If you have an appointment booked and are wondering what to expect before and after your vaccine please read this document from the Ministry of Health.
Transportation to Vaccination Clinics
The Accessible Drive-to-Vaccines program provides door-to-door rides to vaccination sites for people with disabilities, including seniors with mobility issues, who face challenges accessing safe transportation.
Additional options may be available through various community agencies. Visit the United Way’s website for more details and information on who is eligible for support.
CAF Members
In order facilitate the entry of military vaccine records into the Ontario system, please complete the online submission form. HPEPH will review your documents and create your immunization record in the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Management System (COVax), if approved. If more details are required, HPEPH will request it through the contact information provided. Please check your email and/or phone number provided regularly.
Vaccine Interchangeability
Wondering about interchanging vaccines? Read this great resource from the Ministry of Health. Mixing vaccines is safe, effective, and enables more Ontarians to receive their second dose sooner. Full vaccination is the greatest protection you can have against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta and Omicron variants. Please note – The Medicago COVID-19 vaccine is not currently authorized for use as booster dose(s) in Canada
