Get a vaccination
March 21, 2023: Ontario's Ministry of Health is reviewing the recent NACI Guidance on an additional COVID-19 booster dose in the spring of 2023. HPPH is preparing April clinics that will be based on upcoming announcements from the province.
As of December 21, 2022 children ages five to 11 are eligible to receive a bivalent booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose. More information is available in the provincial news release.
On this page
- Who can receive first, second, third or booster doses?
- Where to get a vaccination in Huron Perth
- Book an appointment
- Preparing for your appointment
Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date
Up-to-date means a person has completed their primary vaccine series (either two doses or three doses depending on health status) and has had a booster dose of either a monovalent or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster on or after September 1, 2022.
What is considered "up-to-date" for COVID-19 vaccines will likely need to be modified over time based on availability of new vaccines in the future, potential changes in how the disease spreads or how sick it makes people, and as new data on additional booster doses becomes available.
Please note that vaccine recommendations and eligibility may vary from one province to another or from one country to another. In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) makes recommendations for the use of vaccines.
Who can receive which doses?
To receive your next dose of COVID-19 vaccine, enough time must have passed since your last dose. If you come to a clinic before enough time has passed, you will not be able to proceed with the appointment. Check our vaccine dose calculator before booking to be sure.
HPPH clinics can only provide vaccine in accordance with Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule and cannot accept notes from practitioners to make exceptions. Clients who do not meet eligibility criteria will be referred back to their healthcare provider.
Age | Eligible Doses | Recommended & Minimum Intervals |
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6 months to under 5 years |
2 doses (if Moderna) 3 doses (if Pfizer) |
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5 to 11 years | 2 doses Booster doses |
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12 to 17 years | 2 doses Booster doses |
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18+ years | 2 doses Booster doses |
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Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals ages 6 months+ |
3 doses Booster doses (ages 5+) |
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This table, based on current provincial eligibility directed by Ontario's Ministry of Health, as of December 20, 2022, outlines the eligibility of specific age groups for receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses.
For questions about eligibility or the timing of your next dose, please call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (open 7 days a week, 8AM to 8PM) or speak with your health care provider.
Primary Series |
First and second dosesEveryone aged six months and older is eligible to receive a first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario. For most individuals, two doses of COVID-19 vaccine are needed to complete a primary series. If children aged six months to under five years receive the paediatric Pfizer vaccine, they will get three doses as their primary series. An initial vaccine series, or primary series, is the number of vaccine doses needed to develop a strong initial immune response.
Please ensure the minimum time interval has passed between your first and second dose before booking your second dose appointment.
For more information and a complete list of eligibility, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 vaccines webpage. Immunocompromised Primary Series (three-dose series)For individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, a three-dose primary series is recommended. A three-dose primary series (meaning that three doses of COVID-19 vaccine are needed to complete an initial vaccination series) is recommended for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who may develop a sub-optimal immune response from a two-dose primary series. Individuals who are immunocompromised should get a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine eight weeks (56 days) after their second dose to complete their primary series. This includes eligible children aged six months to 11 years old (children ages six months to under five who receive the paediatric Pfizer vaccine will receive a three-dose primary series whether they are immunocompromised or not, because the Pfizer vaccine for this age group is only available as a three-dose series). If you believe you are eligible for a three-dose primary series please contact your health care provider about your eligibility and optimal vaccine timing. Before receiving your vaccine, you will be required to provide documentation from your healthcare provider or asked to attest to your medical conditions that makes you eligible for a three-dose primary series. When receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, please bring a completed referral form from your health care provider/specialist, or a relevant prescription or pharmacy record (e.g. medication list or packaging with your name on it). Those eligible for a third dose as part of a three-dose primary vaccine series include:
For more information, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance (a list of eligible immunosuppressive medications can be found under Appendix H). For more information on primary vaccine series vs. booster doses, see our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination: What is the difference between a "three-dose primary series" and a "booster dose"? Re-Vaccination with a new COVID-19 Primary Series for Specific Post-Transplantation GroupsThe Province recommends re-vaccination with a new COVID-19 vaccine primary series post-transplantation for individuals who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) (autologous or allogeneic), and recipients of CAR-T-cell therapy, due to the loss of immunity following therapy or transplant. Please speak with your healthcare provider to determine the optimal timing for re-immunization. |
Booster dose eligibility |
A booster dose is an additional shot of vaccine that helps to restore protection against COVID-19 after immunity may have decreased. All eligible individuals are strongly encouraged to get their booster dose to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Children (ages 6 months to 5 years)Children ages 6 months to 5 years are not eligible for a booster dose. Ages 5+Individuals aged 5 and older are eligible to receive a bivalent booster dose at a recommended interval if at least 6 months (168 days) have passed since their primary series or previous booster. With informed consent, individuals may receive a booster dose at a shortened interval of three months (84 days). NACI's recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in children 5 to 11 years currently recommends one booster dose after the primary series for individuals 5 to 11, however, a bivalent booster dose at the recommended interval could be offered to children at high risk of severe COVID-19 who have previously received a booster dose with the original Pfizer monovalent vaccine. As part of NACI's updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses only one booster as part of the fall COVID-19 vaccine booster program is recommended. Both original and bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will boost immune responses and are likely to provide significant protection against hospitalization and severe disease. There is currently no recommendation for individuals to receive an additional booster this 2022/2023 respiratory season if they have already received a monovalent or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster on or after September 1, 2022. If an individual wishes to receive an additional booster dose they may with informed consent and at the appropriate timing interval. For more information and a complete list of eligibility, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 vaccines webpage. Booster dose eligibility (for those with a three-dose primary series)Following their three-dose primary series, immunocompromised individuals aged 5 years and older should receive a booster dose at a recommended interval of six months (168 days) since their previous dose.
Check our vaccine dose calculator for the recommended date you will be eligible for your second booster. For more information and complete eligibility, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance. |
More information about the bivalent/Omicron-specific vaccine |
Health Canada has authorized the use of a Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for individuals aged 5 and older and a Moderna Spikevax bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for individuals aged 18 and older. The bivalent vaccines are updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccines. They target the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant, which is currently the dominant variant in circulation in Ontario. All Ontarians aged 5 and older can receive a bivalent booster dose. In order to receive a bivalent booster dose, individuals must have completed a primary vaccine series. HPPH will continue to have the monovalent (original) vaccines available for those who need a primary series and/or prefer a monovalent booster. Once eligible, you should get your booster dose at the following recommended intervals since your last dose or following a COVID-19 infection:
People at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness include:
As part of NACI's updated guidance on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses only one booster as part of the fall COVID-19 vaccine booster program is recommended. Both original and bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will boost immune responses and are likely to provide significant protection against hospitalization and severe disease. There is currently no recommendation for individuals to receive an additional booster this 2022/2023 respiratory season if they have already received a monovalent or bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster on or after September 1, 2022. If an individual wishes to receive an additional booster dose they may with informed consent and at the appropriate timing interval. *Individuals with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19 may include: those with cardiac or pulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases, cancer, renal disease, anemia or hemoglobinopathy, neurologic or neurodevelopmental conditions, class 3 obesity (BMI 40 and over). **Health care workers are not at a higher risk of severe outcomes, unless they belong to another high-risk group. However, patient-facing health care workers who care for high-risk patients are recommended to be vaccinated to protect their vulnerable patients and all health care workers are recommended to be vaccinated to ensure health system capacity. |
Vaccines available at HPPH clinics |
Based on age-specific guidance, the following COVID-19 vaccines are available at HPPH clinics:
Pfizer and Moderna are interchangeable mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (except for children ages six months to under five years who should receive the same vaccine product for their primary series). Both vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants. For individuals 5+ a bivalent vaccine is recommended as a booster dose, however, the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccine may be offered as a booster (regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine was used in the primary series). *Note: For children aged 5 to 11 and adults aged 18 to 29, getting the Pfizer vaccine is preferentially recommended to minimize myocarditis/pericarditis risk following vaccination, as advised by the Ontario Ministry of Health and National Advisory Committee on Immunization. While not available at our regular clinics, you can book into an HPPH Novavax clinic to receive the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. You must book an appointment for these clinics. For more information, please see: How do I get the Novavax vaccine? The Medicago Covifenz COVID-19 vaccine was approved for use in people 18 to 64 years of age by Health Canada on February 24, 2022. This vaccine is not yet available at HPPH clinics. HPPH is waiting for more information about the availability and use of the Medicago vaccine and will provide an update as more information becomes available. Learn more about each of the approved COVID-19 vaccines on our About the vaccine page. |
Timing with other vaccinations |
For individuals 6 months and older, COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or at any time before or after, non-COVID-19 vaccines, with the exception of Imvamune (monkeypox vaccine) as well as tuberculosis skin testing. Speak to your health care provider if you have questions. |
Four year olds turning five before their second dose |
Booking your child’s second dose
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I recently had COVID-19. When can I get my vaccine? |
Vaccination continues to be recommended for those who have had previous COVID-19 infections (see "Why should I get vaccinated/get a booster dose if I already had COVID-19 recently and have some natural immunity?" to learn more). The recommendations below are a guide. You may want to discuss with your health care provider which timing is best for you.
If you contract COVID-19 before your first or second dose:
If you contract COVID-19 before your booster dose:
Note: A previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 is defined as testing positive for COVID-19 (PCR or rapid antigen test), or being symptomatic AND a household contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case With informed consent, you may receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are asymptomatic and have completed your isolation after being sick with COVD-19. However, longer intervals between infection and vaccination as recommended above may result in a better immune response. For more information:
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How do I get the Novavax vaccine? |
HPPH has access to a limited supply of Novavax Nuvaxovid, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. It is by appointment only. To inquire about receiving a Novavax vaccine, please call the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098. Alternatively, the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU) offers regular Novavax clinics. To book an appointment in London, please call the MLHU booking line at 226-289-3560. Novavax Nuvaxovid has been approved by Health Canada for adults 18+ who:
Novavax Nuvaxovid is 90% effective in protecting against COVID-19 with a two dose series, 21 days apart. Common side effects include: pain and tenderness at the injection site, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills (similar to the other approved vaccines). If you have an allergy or contraindication to an mRNA vaccine, please speak with your healthcare provider before receiving your vaccine. For more information about the vaccine, see: Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine. |
Where to get a vaccination in Huron Perth
Please note that while we are listing all local vaccination options on this page, HPPH is not the organizer of all of these opportunities. Please reach out directly to the organization providing vaccinations if you have any questions.
Pharmacies |
Select pharmacies across Ontario are offering vaccines. Visit the provincial COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations webpage for a full list. |
Primary Care |
Some area primary care providers are offering vaccines to their patients. If your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) is offering vaccines, you will need to book an appointment with them directly. |
HPPH Community Clinics |
HPPH community vaccination clinics are available to all individuals eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Please see below for a list of upcoming clinic dates and locations.
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GO-VAXX Clinics |
The Ontario government has partnered with Metrolinx to provide a safe, reliable and convenient option for people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine on converted GO buses that travel throughout the province. Each bus operates as a fully functioning vaccine clinic with the necessary supplies and trained staff to provide assistance to people and ensure vaccines are administered safely. Accessible options are available at all GO-VAXX bus clinics. To find out when a GO-VAXX bus is visiting Huron Perth, please visit the GO-VAXX website or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. |
Book an appointment at an HPPH Clinic
Huron Perth Public Health is now using the Provincial Vaccine Booking System. Appointments can be booked:
- Online through the provincial vaccine portal
- By calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (open 7 days a week, 8AM to 8PM), or
- By calling the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098 (open Monday-Friday 9AM to 3:30PM, please note we are closed for lunch 12PM to 1PM).
Community clinic dates and locations
Please see below for a list of upcoming clinic dates and locations. Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in advance, or walk-in to select clinics. All of our clinics are for those 6 months and older. Pregnant individuals and youth ages 5-11 can walk-in to any HPPH vaccination clinic for a vaccine.
PLEASE NOTE: Mask use will continue at HPPH community vaccination clinics. Our clinic staff will be masked, and we ask everyone who attends to also be masked. If you do not have a mask, one will be available at the clinic.
Date | Weekday | Community | Clinic location | Clinic hours | Clinic notes |
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March 27, 2023 | Monday | Wingham | HPPH Wingham Office | 131 John Street East | 10:30AM-4:30PM | |
March 28, 2023 | Tuesday | Clinton | HPPH Clinton Office | 77722B London Road | 9:30AM-4PM |
Please check back regularly as additional clinic dates are added.
Booking system FAQs
For assistance using the online booking system, please review the following FAQs. If additional support is needed, see the Province's Help using the provincial COVID-19 vaccine online booking system webpage.
How do I book an appointment if I have a red and white health card or no health card? |
Please see the Province's Help using the provincial COVID-19 vaccine online system webpage for more information. |
How do I cancel or change my appointment? |
If you can no longer make it to your scheduled clinic time, please cancel your appointment to free up space for another eligible community member. Appointments made using the Provincial Vaccine Booking System can be cancelled online, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900, or by calling the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098. To rebook your appointment, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/. For further information or support, please call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre. |
Why can’t I book a second appointment online for my 5-11 year-old before the 8-week interval? |
The provincial online booking system will not allow you to book a second dose appointment before the recommended 8-week interval between first and second doses has passed. If you would like to book your child's second dose appointment before the 8-week interval, please call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900, or the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098. |
I just tried booking an appointment online using the provincial system. Why did it redirect me to the HPPH website to book? |
There are a lot of variables with the provincial online booking system where you may not be able to self-book. It could be because of:
If you are not able to make an appointment online using the provincial booking system, please call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900, or the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098. |
I've received one or more doses outside of Ontario/Canada. How do I register my out-of-province doses and am I eligible for a booster? |
If you have received one, two or three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the Province of Ontario, you must complete the COVID-19 Out-of-Province Dose Documentation form prior to booking an appointment for your next dose or to obtain your proof of vaccination certificate. Individuals who have proof of immunization and have received a complete one or two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not authorized for use by Health Canada will be offered one additional dose of an mRNA vaccine. The booster dose must be given at least 28 days (4 weeks) after your last dose. See the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated outside of Ontario/Canada for more information. |
Preparing for your appointment
For information on HPPH COVID-19 vaccine clinics, how to prepare, and what to expect when you arrive at a clinic, see our Preparing for your appointment page.