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First and second doses

Everyone 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.

• To receive a vaccine, children must be at least six months of age or older on the day of their appointment.

For individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, a three-dose primary series is recommended. See "Immunocompromised individuals (three-dose primary series and boosters)" below for more information.

Please ensure the minimum time interval has passed between your first and second dose before booking your second dose appointment.

• Use our dose calculator to find out when you can receive your second dose.
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) strongly recommends an optimal interval of eight weeks between first and second doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series for all eligible age groups. This will provide you with increased and longer-lasting protection from the vaccine. Individuals who wish to get their second dose at the minimum interval (e.g. 28 days) as applicable can do so with informed consent. Parents may also choose to get their child's second dose at the authorized interval (e.g. greater than 21 days) with informed consent. 

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 to 17

Individuals aged 5 to 17 are eligible to receive one booster dose at a recommended interval of at least 6 months (168 days) after their last dose. With informed consent, they may receive their booster dose as early as 3 months (84 days) after their last dose.

Ages 18+

Anyone ages 18 years and older is eligible to receive a booster dose if at least six months (168 days) have passed since their primary series or previous booster. With informed consent, individuals may receive a booster at a shortened interval of three months (84 days).

It is strongly recommended that vulnerable individuals (such as individuals aged 65+, pregnant individuals, and moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals) receive their bivalent booster as soon as they can at a three month interval (84 days) upon discussion with their health care provider.

If you choose to receive a booster at the minimum three-month interval, please book this dose through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or by calling the HPPH Booking Line at 1-833-753-2098.

For more information and a complete list of eligibility, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 vaccine webpage. 

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:

• Individuals receiving active treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies immunotherapy) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies
• Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Individuals with Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD11), high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive
• Individuals receiving dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis)

For more information, see the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations (a list of eligible immunosuppressive medications can be found under Table 3)."

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"?

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.

• 6 months to 4 years are not eligible for a booster dose
• 5 to 11 years old can get a booster six months (168 days) after completion of a three-dose primary series
• 12 to 17 years old can get a booster six months (168 days) after completion of the three-dose primary series
• 18 years and over can get a booster six months (168 days) after completion of the three-dose primary series

Additional bivalent booster doses (for ages 12+) are offered six months (168 days) after a previous dose (booster or primary series). With informed consent, the interval may be shortened to three months (84 days). It is strongly recommended that immunocompromised individuals (aged 12+) receive their bivalent booster as soon as they can at a three month (84 day) interval upon discussion with their health care provider. 

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 Booster Recommendations.

Re-Vaccination with a new COVID-19 Primary Series for Specific Post-Transplantation Groups

The 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.

Can I get the bivalent/Omicron-specific vaccine?

On September 1, 2022, Health Canada authorized the use of a Moderna Spikevax bivalent COVID-19 vaccine as a booster for individuals aged 18 and older. This bivalent vaccine targets both the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant BA1.

All Ontarians aged 18 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 “regular” vaccines available for those who need a primary series and/or prefer a monovalent booster. 

Vaccines available at HPPH clinics

Based on age-specific guidance, the following COVID-19 vaccines are available at HPPH clinics:

• 6 months to under 5 years: Paediatric Moderna vaccine or Paediatric Pfizer vaccine (three-dose series)
• 5-11 year olds: Paediatric Pfizer vaccine* or Paediatric Moderna (with informed consent for primary series only)
• 12-17 year olds: Adult formulation of Pfizer
• 18-29 year olds: Pfizer recommended* (choice of Moderna or Novavax)
• 30+ year olds: Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax
• 18+: Moderna Bivalent vaccine (booster dose only)

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 18+ 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

Children ages 6 months to under 5 years: NACI currently recommends that they wait 14 days before or after the administration of another vaccine before getting their COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure.

For individuals 5 years of age and older, COVID-19 vaccines may be given simultaneously with (i.e., same day), or at any time before or after non-COVID-19 vaccines 

Speak to your health care provider if you have questions.

• Your child should receive the same product for all their primary series doses, whether it is Pfizer or Moderna.

• When children are 5 and older it is recommended they receive Pfizer; however, the Ontario Ministry of Health vaccine guidance advises that the same mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product should be offered for the subsequent dose in a primary series started with a specific mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

• This means that children who have received a Moderna (25 mcg) dose and turn 5 prior to completing their primary series are recommended to receive Moderna (25 mcg) to complete their primary series.

Booking your child’s second dose

• Using the online system to book children in this situation (age 4 turning 5) may be challenging. Please call the Huron Perth Public Health vaccine booking line at 1-833-753-2098 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm) to make your child’s second dose appointment.

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:

• Individuals 6 months of age and older (who are not moderately to severely immunocompromised and with no previous history of MIS-C/Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children) may receive the vaccine 8 weeks (56 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
• Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and with no previous history of MIS-C may receive the vaccine 4-8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
• Individuals 6 months of age and older with a previous history of MIS-C (regardless of immunocompromised status) may receive vaccine when they have recovered or it has been at least 90 days since the onset of MIS-C (whichever is longer).

If you contract COVID-19 before your booster dose:

• Individuals currently eligible for booster doses may receive vaccine 3 months (84 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic). It is recommended to wait six months post-infection before receiving a bivalent booster dose
• For youth ages 5 to 17 years, at least six months should have passed after completing their primary series before receiving their booster 

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:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations | Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth | Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet Ages 12+ | Ministry of Health

How do I get the Novavax vaccine?

HPPH has received a limited supply of Novavax Nuvaxovid, a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. It is being offered only at special HPPH Novavax clinics, by appointment only. To book an appointment, please call the HPPH booking line at 1-833-753-2098.

Novavax Nuvaxovid has been approved by Health Canada for adults 18+ who:

• Have not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
• Have allergies to mRNA vaccines or who are looking to receive a non-mRNA vaccine

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.

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. 

• All clinics offer a family-friendly environment, including distraction tools at each vaccinator station and options to be vaccinated in a semi-private tent.
• Accommodations are available at all HPPH clinics and can be arranged by calling our booking line at 1-833-753-2098.
• In the event of inclement weather, clinics may be cancelled. We will announce a clinic cancellation publicly. Please check local media, the HPPH website, HPPH Facebook or Twitter account for news of clinic cancellations.

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.

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:

• Trying to book on a date that has not yet been added to the provincial system
• Trying to book a second pediatric appointment sooner than the recommended 8-week interval

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.