COVID-19 Vaccine

Two COVID-19 vaccines are available in Ontario:

• Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine (for those 6 months old and up)
• Pfizer-BioNTech Cormirnaty COVID-19 vaccine (for those 12 years old and up)

Both vaccines are mRNA vaccines that protect against the KP.2 omicron COVID-19 variant. Getting the most recently updated COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection against the viral strains that are currently circulating in the community.  

The Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine is not available in Ontario for the 2024/2025 season. Individuals who are unable to receive a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine can speak with their health care provider about treatment options, including the use of Paxlovid, to reduce the duration and severity of illness.

Previously vaccinated individuals aged 6 months and older who have completed their primary series are recommended to receive a dose if it has been at least 6 months since their last dose. The minimum interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses (after a primary series has been completed) is 3 months.

If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, you should wait to be vaccinated. The amount of time you should wait depends on whether you have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in the past. 

• Previously vaccinated individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should wait 6 months before being vaccinated. 
• Individuals who have never had a COVID-19 vaccine or are in the middle of their primary series should speak to a healthcare provider about the right interval for them. 

Most infants and children aged 6 months to 4 years who have never been vaccinated are recommended to have a 2-dose series.

• Most people aged 5 years and older only need 1 dose to be fully protected. 
• Immunocompromised individuals aged 6 months and older are recommended to have 1 additional dose compared to what is stated above. 
• Once you have received a primary series described above, follow Public Health guidance on how to stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine Information Videos

• Vaccine Q & A in English and Spanish (Mexicanas en Hamilton and Dr. Tammy Packer)
• Vaccine Q & A (English, South Asian)
• Vaccine Q & A (Arabic, Rami Safi, Pharmacist)
• Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I’m pregnant? (English, French, Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Mandarin, Spanish, Tamil, Vietnamese, Yoruba)
• Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 vaccine video (American Sign Language)
• Healthcare workers: why we got the vaccine
• To book an appointment to speak to a physician about vaccination please visit: https://www.shn.ca/vaxfacts/. Telephone consultations with doctors are available in more than 200 languages.

People aged 6 months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after other routine vaccinations.

• Visit Health811 online or call 811 (1-866-797-0007 toll free) for health advice and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Contact Hamilton Public Health by calling 905-546-2424 ext. 7556.
• Book a phone appointment with the VaxFacts Clinic to speak with a trusted physician from the Scarborough Health Network at shn.ca/vaxfacts
• Talk to your child’s family doctor, pediatrician or nurse practitioner if you are a parent or guardian.