Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not, you must self-isolate and get tested. It is still possible to come in contact with the COVID-19 virus and develop symptoms if you are fully vaccinated. It is also possible you were exposed to the virus before your body developed some immunity from receiving the vaccine.

Visit the provincial portal to download or print your enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate. Please note: if you received a small card from HPPH when you were vaccinated, you will still need the official document from the Ontario government (found on the provincial portal).

To log in to the government portal and get your official receipt, you will need:

• Your green photo OHIP card (you will need numbers from both the front and back of the card, expired cards will be accepted)
• Your date of birth
• Your postal code (the one associated with your health card) 

If you need assistance:

• Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900:
  • If you need help getting a copy of your vaccination receipt.
  • If you do not have access to a computer or printer, a call centre agent can mail you a copy.
  • If you have a red and white health card, the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre can help you get a copy of your receipt.
• If you do not have an Ontario health card and need help getting your receipt, please call Huron Perth Public Health at 1-888-221-2133.

Locations where you can print your COVID-19 vaccination certificate free of charge in Huron Perth:

• Perth County Libraries
• Huron County Libraries
• Centres for Employment and Learning

For more information visit Proof of COVID-19 vaccination (Government of Ontario)

Common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine include:

• Pain, redness, swelling at the site where the needle was given
• Tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and low fever

If you have any of the following symptoms, regardless of whether you have been immunized within the past 48 hours, you should self-isolate and seek further medical attention. This includes reporting “yes” to any of the following symptoms, even if you think your symptoms are side effects from the vaccine:

• Fever and/or chills
• Cough or barking cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Decrease or loss of smell or taste
• Pink eye
• Runny or stuffy/congested nose
• Digestive issues like nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
• Extreme tiredness
• Falling down often

Within the 48 hours from the time you received your immunization: if you have any of the following symptoms (and not any other symptoms), and the symptoms are mild (e.g., you feel well enough to work) and the symptom(s) only began after immunization, you can go to work/continue with permitted activities.

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle ache/joint pain

NOTE: If you have been told to isolate for other reasons, you must continue to isolate.

YES. If you have received only your first dose of vaccine it is important to continue to self-isolate when required. One dose provides good protection but it is still possible to become ill and spread the virus to others.

Please note that there is a Section 22 Order issued by the Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health to ensure Huron-Perth residents who have been told to self-isolate by public health or a health care provider are doing so. First dose of vaccine does not exempt someone from this order. 

• If you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated (14 days have passed since your second vaccine dose) at the time of your high-risk exposure, you do NOT need to self-isolate but must get a COVID test. Please note that workplace policies may go above and beyond this guidance.
• There are some EXCEPTIONS (groups that may be required to self-isolate still):
• Residents of Long-Term Care or Retirement Homes
• Self-isolation may still be required at the discretion of the local public health unit, if a specific variant of concern (VOC) has been identified.
• It is advised that individuals with immunocompromising conditions (e.g., organ or stem cell transplantation recipients, undergoing chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapies) self-isolate, until more studies are done on the effectiveness of vaccines among this group.
• You must report a high-risk exposure to your employer and follow any restrictions from work, as specified by your workplace.
• If you develop symptoms you must self-isolate immediately and get tested.

Yes. At this time, everyone must continue following all public health measures, including wearing a face covering after you have received your vaccine. This includes all healthcare workers.

NOTE: The requirements for face coverings in indoor public spaces is a provincial regulation, and vaccination status is not listed as an exemption from wearing a face covering.

• Regardless of your vaccination status, it’s important to continue following public health measures to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, especially the highly transmissible Delta variant, which is the dominant strain of the virus in Ontario. 
• COVID-19 vaccination is one important measure that offers protection from the spread of COVID-19. Other public health measures like hand washing, physical distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you are sick are also important measures to reduce spread and protect yourself from COVID-19. These measures are all more effective when combined.
• Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change the recommendations everyone should take to slow the spread of the virus. Other factors, including how many people are vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities will also affect decisions on continued use of various public health measures.

• Regional regulations depend on many factors, including how the virus is spreading in communities, the number of people vaccinated (with first dose or fully vaccinated), and what we currently know about the effectiveness of the vaccine from preventing transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
• At this time, Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunizations (NACI) recommends that all individuals, whether vaccinated or not, continue to practice recommended public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Many people are beginning to travel once again. It is important to assess your own personal risk factors for travel. This includes whether travel is essential. Only essential travel is recommended at this time. It is also important to be aware of the COVID-19 situation at your travel destination. Please check with the country you are travelling to for vaccine, testing, isolation and other requirements.

If you have a mixed dose series, please know that you are well protected from a COVID-19 infection. Mixed dose schedules continue to be safe and effective.

If you do travel outside of Canada, you should plan how you will meet Canada’s travel requirements when you return. Work your way through the COVID-19: Entering Canada requirements checklist to understand what you will need to do.

Whether you drive or fly, if you travel within Canada, without ever having been outside of the country, there are no federal travel requirements, but there may be provincial or territorial rules and restrictions.

It is important to check the province or territory website of your final destination for their travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.  

Where can I get a COVID-19 test done for travel?

In order to receive a COVID-19 test for outbound international travel and to receive a valid travel certificate you must pay for a private COVID-19 test. These tests are not available through Huron Perth assessment centres. A test done at a local assessment centre will not be sufficient to meet the requirements for international outbound travel.

Huron Perth Assessment Centres do not provide travel-related testing.

Huron Perth Public Health does not provide results of private COVID-19 tests or provide information for travel certificates.

Private COVID-19 tests, and travel certificates, for outbound international travel are available through the following:

• LifeLabs Fly Clear
• Shoppers Drug Mart International Outbound Testing
• COVID-19 Testing at Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Pharmasave in St. Jacob's
• London Locations: COVID-19 Testing for International Travel

Note: this list is for information only. The inclusion of a pharmacy or testing location on this page does not indicate an endorsement or involvement from Huron Perth Public Health.

Can I get a third dose/booster of COVID-19 vaccine for travel?

Huron Perth Public Health follows the provincial guidance of the Ontario government which is informed by recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. To date, the Province has not released guidance with respect to administering third doses for the purpose of travel nor has NACI issued recommendations on the subject.

At this time, HPPH is not administering a third dose to residents who have already received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine for travel purposes. 

In Canada, decisions around travel requirements for entry into Canada are made at a federal level. Only essential travel is recommended at this time. Read the Government of Canada’s travel advisories related to COVID-19. 

Many countries are currently developing their own travel related approaches for visitors entering their countries, and decisions are made by each individual country which vaccines and combinations they recognize.

Mixing vaccines is safe and effective. Full vaccination is the greatest protection you can have against COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant. Know that if you received a mixed dose schedule, being fully vaccinated means that you are well protected from COVID-19 infection.

Please check the travel requirements for your travel destination in regards to recognized vaccine combinations. You can also speak with your travel agent. Check back regularly as guidance and requirements may change.