Get a vaccination

Everyone aged 5 and older is eligible to receive a first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario. 

• Children ages 5 to 11 will receive the pediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be at least 5 years old or older on the day of their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. 
  • Children ages 5-11 can walk-in to any HPPH clinic for a vaccination. Some appointments are available to be booked in advance at our West Gore or Clinton office locations. Vaccinations are also available at pharmacies; you can find the nearest location at COVID-19 pharmacy vaccine locations. 
• Youth ages 12 to 17 will be given the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or offered the Moderna vaccine, with informed consent.
• Individuals 18 and older may receive the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
  • Note: Adults aged 18 to 29 are recommended to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to minimize myocarditis/pericarditis risk following vaccination, as advised by the Ontario Ministry of Health and National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Second dose

• 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 a shorter interval (e.g. 28 days), as applicable, can continue to do so but 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. 
• You are considered fully vaccinated once you have received two doses and it has been 14 days since your second dose.

Booster dose eligibility

Ages 18+

Anyone aged 18 years and older is eligible to receive a booster dose if at least three months (84 days minimum) have passed since their second dose.

Ages 12-17

Individuals aged 12-17 years are eligible to receive a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine 6 months (168 days) after their last dose. However, with informed consent, they may receive their booster as early as 3 months (84 days) after their last dose.

For otherwise healthy adolescents aged 12-17, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a booster dose may be offered, but is considered off-label. A booster dose is strongly recommended for certain groups of 12-17 year-olds including:

• Those with an underlying medical condition at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 (see NACI guidance for a list of conditions)
• Those who live in a congregate setting (e.g., shelters, group homes, quarters for migrant workers, correctional facilities)
• Those who belong to racialized and/or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 (e.g., Indigenous communities)

Please note:

• A booster dose or third dose of vaccine is an additional shot of vaccine that helps you maintain and lengthen your protection against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, however protection may gradually decline over time.
• Individuals who are eligible for a third dose due to specific medical conditions and treatments should speak to their healthcare provider to discuss the timing of their third dose (as early as 8 weeks after their second dose).

Third dose eligibility

A two-month interval (56 days) is recommended for individuals who are eligible for a third dose as part of their primary vaccine series. Please speak to your healthcare provider about your specific health condition and optimal vaccine timing.

Health conditions: Individuals who are immunocompromised (5 years of age or older)

Individuals with the following medical conditions who are considered at most risk of serious illness remain eligible for a third dose to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Speak with your healthcare provider about your eligibility. Please not that you will be required to provide documentation from your healthcare provider or asked to attest to your medical conditions that makes you eligible. These recommendations also apply to children aged 5-11 who fall within any of the categories below:

• 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 sever 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 Third Dose and Booster Recommendations.

Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

For individuals living in Long-Term Care homes, retirement homes and older adults living in congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services, it is recommended to receive a fourth dose.

Re-Vaccination with 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.

Timing with other vaccinations

For individuals aged 12 and over, COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time or any time before or after another vaccine. Children aged 5 to 11 should wait 14 days before or after the administration of another vaccine before getting their COVID-19 vaccine.

Fourth dose eligibility

Select individuals continue to be eligible for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario five months after completion of the primary series, including:

• Residents of Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes, Elder Care Lodges, older adults living in congregate settings
• Individuals aged 60+
• First Nation, Inuit, Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over
• Individuals aged 18 or older with specific immunocompromising conditions

In addition, eligible immunocompromised individuals aged 12-17 can receive a fourth dose (booster) six months (168 days) after completion of their three-dose primary series. 

For more information and a complete list of eligibility, see the Ministry of Health's Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Recommendations. 

For individuals eligible due to medical conditions:

• Eligible individuals will need to call us to book an appointment for a fourth dose, or come during a walk-in time
• You will be asked when you arrive at the clinic for a note from your healthcare provider or specialist (you can use the same documentation from your third dose if you have it) OR a medication list (e.g., a pharmacy record or medication packaging with your name on it)

We recommend that you speak with your healthcare provider or specialist prior to coming to a clinic about the best time to receive your vaccine based on your medical treatment schedule.

Fifth dose/second booster

A fifth dose/second booster is recommended for individuals who have completed a 3-dose primary series and received their first booster dose. Select individuals are eligible for a fifth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario after a recommended five months following their first booster. You must be moderately to severely immunocompromised and:

• 60+ years of age and older
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over

Check our vaccine dose calculator to provide you with the earliest date you will be eligible for your vaccine.

For more information and complete eligibility, see COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations.

We recommend that you speak with your healthcare provider or specialist prior to coming to a clinic about the best time to receive your vaccine based on your medical treatment schedule.

3-dose primary series

A 3-dose primary series is recommended for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who may develop a sub-optimal immune response from a 2-dose primary series. Certain moderately and severely immunocompromised populations may benefit from a second booster/5th dose.

For more information regarding a 3-dose primary series and eligibility, visit COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Recommendations.

Vaccines available at HPPH clinics

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

• 5-11 year olds: Pediatric formulation of Pfizer
• 12-17 year olds: Adult formulation of Pfizer
• 18-29 year olds: Adult formulation of Pfizer (choice of Moderna)
• 30+ year olds: Pfizer or Moderna

Pfizer and Moderna are interchangeable mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Both vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants, and either may be used as a booster (regardless of which COVID-19 vaccine was used in the primary series). It is recommended you receive the first vaccine that is available to you.

Note: For 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: When can 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.

I've recently recovered from COVID-19. When can I get my vaccine?

• Vaccination continues to be recommended for those who have had previous COVID-19 infections.
• These intervals are a guide and clinical discretion, including a risk/benefit discussion with your healthcare provider, may be considered.
• The Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario (PHO) and NACI are closely following the research on additional doses and recommendations are reviewed as new data emerges.

Getting a booster after COVID-19 infection:

• Individuals 12 years of age and older, infected with COVID-19 after their primary series (2 doses of mRNA vaccine) but before their booster dose, are recommended to receive their booster dose 3 months after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
  • 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.
• Waiting 3 months after a COVID-19 infection is recommended for 12-17 year olds as well, provided it is at least 6 months from completing the primary series.

Getting a 1st or 2nd dose after COVID-19 infection:

• If you had COVID-19 before receiving your first or second COVID-19 vaccine dose, it is suggested you receive your first/second dose 8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
• If you are moderately to severely immunocompromised, it is suggested the vaccine be offered 4-8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).
• If you have a history of MIS-C, it is suggested to wait at least 90 days after recovery or onset of MIS-C (whichever is longer).

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 Third Dose Recommendations | Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet Ages 5-11 | Ministry of Health
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sheet Ages 12+ | Ministry of Health

When can 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, visit 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 an appointment has been double-booked, or 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. 

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 booster dose for a 16 or 17-year-old healthcare worker
• 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 received a complete one or two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine that is not authorize 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.