COVID-19 Vaccination

The type of vaccine at each clinic is noted above.

Age 24+
Individuals who received 2 doses of AstraZeneca/COVIDSHIELD or 1 dose of J&J can choose to receive Pfizer or Moderna for a third or booster dose.

Adults 70 years of age and older, eligible immunocompromised individuals, residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes or older adults in other congregate living setting will receive a full dose of Moderna (100 mcg) for a third or booster dose.

Individuals less than 70 years of age will receive a half dose of Moderna (50 mcg) for a booster dose.

Individuals receiving Pfizer for a third or booster dose will receive a full dose (30 mcg).

18 to 24 year olds
The Ontario government recommends the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals aged 18 to 24 years old based on the current available analysis from Ontario’s adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system due to an observed increase in Ontario of the very rare heart condition called pericarditis/myocarditis following vaccination with Moderna compared to Pfizer in the 18 to 24 year old age group, particularly among males.

The majority of reported cases of myocarditis/pericarditis have been mild with individuals recovering quickly, normally with anti-inflammatory medication. Symptoms have typically been reported to start within one week after vaccination, more commonly after the second dose.

Should individuals aged 18 to 24-year old wish to receive Moderna they can continue to do so with informed consent. The province will continue using the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12-17 (including those turning 12 in 2021).

5 to 17-year olds
The Pfizer vaccine will be used for youth ages 5-17 (including those turning 5 in 2021).

Community members who received their first dose outside of the province can call the Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment. You must bring proof of your first vaccine (i.e., paper receipt) and ID to your second dose appointment. Clinic staff will review the documents at your appointment.

Individuals of all ages must wait at least 8 weeks after they received their first dose to get their second dose. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends an interval of at least 8 weeks between the first and second dose since emerging evidence in adults suggests that compared to shorter intervals, longer intervals between the first and second doses result in a stronger immune response, higher vaccine effectiveness that is expected to last longer, and may be associated with a lower risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis in adolescents and young adults.

A completed two dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19 and severe outcomes, including against the Delta variant of concern, in the general population. However, for some populations, a booster dose may be required as two doses may not provide sufficient protection based on suboptimal or waning immune response to vaccines and increased risk of COVID-19 infection. Receiving a booster dose is not currently a requirement for travel or ability to access settings such as restaurants.

The following populations are being offered a booster dose in their residence a minimum of 6 months/168 days following their second dose:

• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, high-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges.

HPHS has worked with all of these homes in the community and a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine has been offered to all residents. 

The following populations are being offered a booster dose in their residence a minimum of 6 months/168 days following their second dose:

• Seniors living in congregate settings including retirement homes, assisted living facilities, chronic care hospitals and congregate seniors’ apartment buildings.

HPHS is working with the administrators to provide COVID-19 vaccination on-site at these homes.

The following immunocompromised groups are being offered a booster dose a minimum of eight weeks following their second dose:

• Individuals receiving active treatment (including those who have completed treatment within the last three months) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies (e.g.: chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy).
• 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 such as monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19 CD20 and CD22 (including those who have completed treatment within 12 months), high dose corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.

Exact timing of the booster dose should be decided with the treating provider in order to optimize the immune response from the vaccine series and minimize delays in management of their underlying condition.

Immunocompromised individuals who are on immunosuppressive biologic agents are now able to show a current prescription receipt from a pharmacy or the medication bottle or packaging that includes the date of prescription, the individual’s first and last name, and the address and telephone number of the dispensing pharmacy to receive their third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic or pharmacy. The Ministry of Health has released a list of eligible immunosuppressive medications that are included in this new eligibility. Clinical staff will verify that the individual’s prescription is valid and that the drug is listed by the Ministry of Health.

If the individual is receiving an immunosuppressive biologic agent and does not have a prescription, or the drug is not listed by the Ministry of Health, they must receive a referral form or letter for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine from their treating health care provider.

Please check eligibility for other groups to determine ability to receive a booster dose.

Healthcare workers include:

• any regulated health professionals and any staff member, contract worker, student/trainee, registered volunteer, or other designated essential caregiver currently working in-person in a health care organization, including workers that are not providing direct patient care and are frequently in the patient environment (i.e. cleaning staff, research staff, other administrative staff).
• workers providing healthcare service or direct patient service in a congregate, residential or community setting outside of a health care organization.

All booster doses for healthcare workers are available by appointment only, no walk-in option available. You must bring your work ID to the vaccine clinic to receive a booster dose.

To get a booster dose it is recommended that you book an appointment at the dedicated West End Clinic for health care workers.

Parking is free on site for 40 minutes.

The parking lot entrance is located on Olmstead Street, off Macklin St.

Accessible parking spaces are available in the main parking lot near the entrance to the building.

If you are unable to attend the health care worker clinic, you can:

• Check with your workplace to see about occupational health clinics.
• Check with your local pharmacy.
• Book an appointment at one of the other vaccine clinics.

List of Health Care Workers Eligible for Booster Doses

Regulated health professionals and any staff member, contract worker, student/trainee, registered volunteer, or other designated essential caregivers currently working in-person in a health care organization, including workers that are not providing direct patient care and are frequently in the patient environment (i.e. cleaning staff, research staff, other administrative staff) are included in the below:

• All hospital and acute care staff including:
  • Critical Care Units, Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Departments, COVID-19 Medical Units, Code Blue Teams, rapid response teams
  • General internal medicine and other specialists, Surgical care, Obstetrics
• All patient-facing health care workers/staff involved in the COVID-19 response:
  • COVID-19 Specimen Collection Centers, COVID-19 Isolation Centers o Mobile Testing Teams, COVID-19 Laboratory Services, Teams supporting outbreak response (e.g., IPAC teams supporting outbreak management, inspectors in the patient environment)
  • COVID-19 vaccine clinics and mobile immunization teams
  • Current members of Ontario’s Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT)
• Medical First Responders (ORNGE, paramedics, firefighters providing medical first response, police and special constables providing medical first response as part of their regular duties).
• Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (assisted living, correctional settings, shelters, LTCHs/RHs, supportive housing, hospices and palliative care settings, etc.)
• Home and community health care workers, providing in-person care, including:
  • Needle exchange/syringe programs & supervised consumption and treatment services
  • Indigenous health care service providers including but not limited to: Aboriginal Health Access Centers, Indigenous Community Health Centers, Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams, and Indigenous Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics
  • Community health centres, chronic homecare, birth centres, dentistry and dental hygiene, Pharmacies, Primary care, Walk-in clinics, gynecology/obstetrics, Midwifery, Nurse practitioner-led clinics/Contract nursing agencies, Otolaryngology (ENT), medical and surgical specialities, medical transport, laboratory services, independent health facilities, health care providers in developmental services, mental health and addictions services.
• Health care workers in schools/daycare/campus, sexual health clinics, community diagnostic imaging, dietary/nutrition, audiology, naturopathy, holistic care, chiropractic, chronic pain clinics, kinesiology/physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, acupuncture, registered massage therapy, psychotherapy, social work, public health

Severe reactions are uncommon. If you need medical assistance, please seek medical attention. Call 911 if you need assistance immediately.

Signs of serious allergic reactions may include:

• difficulty breathing
• swelling of face, throat or tongue
• hives (bumps on the skin that are itchy)

If these occur, a doctor should report them to Hamilton Public Health Services.

Other uncommon adverse reactions that doctors need to report to Hamilton Public Health Services include:

• rash
• swelling of arm that spreads to the next joint (elbow) or lasts 4 days or more
• pain that lasts 4 days or more
• fainting that causes injury
• swelling of the face or mouth
• very pale colour and serious drowsiness
• high fever (over 40°C)
• convulsions or seizures
• other serious symptoms (e.g., “pins and needles” or numbness lasting for over 24 hours).

Discuss any of the uncommon reactions with your family doctor. If you don’t have a family doctor, a walk-in clinic might be preferred. A doctor can diagnose these uncommon reactions.

Below are the ways you can submit the form for adverse reactions to public health:

• Fax the Vaccine program’s confidential fax line: 905-546-4841
• Upload to CityShare
  • All file formats are accepted, but PDF AEFI report forms is preferred.
  • Once the file is uploaded, the file will appear under “Uploaded Files”.

If you have any other inquiries and/or are unable to submit the AEFI report through the two methods above, call 905-546-2424 ext. 7556.

Allow up to 15 business days for us to process your AEFI report. A public health nurse will contact you via phone to follow-up with you about your AEFI report.

AEFI Reporting Form and AEFI fact sheet

Read more about adverse effects (PDF, 135 KB)

Please refer to the provincial government recommendations for vaccines not authorized by Health Canada.

The government is continuing to review these guidelines.

If you are eligible for a third dose due to out of province vaccination, we recommend you register for an Ontario vaccine receipt before going to a clinic for a third dose (see instructions below for how to register to get an Ontario vaccine receipt).

If you book an appointment or walk-in to a public health clinic to receive a third dose before registering for an Ontario vaccine receipt, your vaccine documents will be checked at the vaccinate clinic. Pharmacies or other community led clinics may require registration for an Ontario vaccine receipt before they can provide a third dose.

• Proof of identity - government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, health card, passport, or Status Card can be used. Your ID needs to have your name, address, and photo and birthdate on it.
• Confirmation email or code.
• Wear a loose-fitting shirt with sleeves that roll up. 
• You will be given a consent form at the Vaccine Clinic.

Option 1: Show one of these pieces of ID that have your current Hamilton address

• your driver's licence
• any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address

Option 2: Show two pieces of ID

Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address. Examples below:

No, you should not receive the vaccine while in quarantine/isolation or when you are not feeling well Wait until you feel better or are out of quarantine/isolation to get your vaccine.

The vaccines are free. You will not be asked for any financial information.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) in Canada notes that no drug interaction studies have been performed to date, so we do not know if there could be interference with medications or substances such as drugs or alcohol. 

NACI also recommends that the COVID-19 vaccines not be given at the same time as other live or inactivated vaccines or blood products.

Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine regardless of past or current drug use. It is important that you are not under the influence of alcohol or any substances at your vaccine appointment. This is because substance use can impact your ability to give informed consent and lessen your ability to understand the risks and benefits of the vaccine.

You can access translation services at the clinics, and the clinic materials are available in many languages.

Read the vaccine consent form, vaccine information, what you need to know about your vaccine appointment and what happens after you receive your vaccine in 33 languages.

Yes, continue to eat your meals and stay hydrated as usual. Make sure you have something to eat before coming to the clinic to prevent feeling faint while being vaccinated. This can be especially helpful for some individuals who have needle fears or a history of fainting with needles.

Yes

You will have to wait in the clinic for a minimum of 15 minutes after getting the vaccine. You may need to stay longer if necessary.

People who attend a vaccination clinic will have the option to provide information about their race, ethnicity, income, household size, and language to help Hamilton Public Health Services and the Ministry of Health plan COVID-19 vaccinations for communities that are at-risk and disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Find the consent form and questions: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/vaccine/SD_Data_Consent_Form.pdf

To ask a health care provider (doctor or nurse) additional questions about COVID-19 vaccines:

• Ask your health care provider
• Book an appointment with SHN to speak with a doctor online or by phone 416-438-2911 ext. 5738
• Book an appointment with Sick Kids Hospital to speak with a pediatric nurse about COVID-19 vaccines for youth
• Call Hamilton’s Vaccine Hotline (905) 974-9848, option 7.
• Read answers to frequently asked questions