COVID-19 Vaccination

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)

Receipts are available:

• for first and second doses received in Ontario (once you get them)
• regardless of where you were vaccinated (for example, at a mass immunization clinic, hospital, pharmacy or primary care setting)

For those with a green Ontario photo health card

If you have a green Ontario photo health card, you can access your vaccine receipt online.

• Visit https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/
• Enter health card information
• Click on the yellow Vaccine Receipt button, and then you can download your receipt

If you don’t have a green Ontario photo health card, read about how to get your proof of vaccination

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.

If you were vaccinated in another country or province or if you received federal vaccine supply (i.e., Federal stock used for Correctional Facilities, Military groups, Embassies, First Nations etc), please fill out this form. If you are unable to complete this form on your computer, print the form and fill it out completely. Please submit the form and the proof of vaccination document that was provided from the clinic where you received the vaccine. You can submit these documents by:

1. Fax 905-546-4841
2. Mail or by drop off

   City of Hamilton
   Vaccine Program
   2nd floor Robert Thomson Building, 110 King St W
   Hamilton, ON
   L8P 4V3
   Drop off Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

It will take up to 7 days for the record to be reviewed and entered into the COVID-19 vaccination records database (COVAXon).

Residents are required to submit or show their record of receipt for the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to receiving their second dose to ensure the correct interval between doses and to determine the need for a subsequent dose.

Hamilton Public Health Services and the Ministry are currently not providing COVAXon receipts, for doses administered outside of Ontario. Clients must keep their original immunization record as proof of immunization.

Clients who received their vaccine from a non-Ontario stock (i.e., Federal Stock used for Correctional Facilities, Military groups, Embassies, First Nations, etc.) will be able to obtain a COVAXon receipt by completing the following steps:

• Visit covid19.ontariohealth.ca
• Enter health card information
• Click on the yellow Vaccine Receipt button, and then you can download your receipt

If you do not have an Ontario Health Card, email [email protected] with the following information:

• Your phone number
• A sentence explaining that you are looking for proof of vaccination and that you do not have a green Ontario photo health card

For specific inquiries, call Hamilton Public Health Vaccine Records line at 905-540-5250.

If you would like more information about your vaccination, contact your health care provider or if you do not have a health care provider, call Hamilton Public Health Services Vaccine Infoline: 905-546-2424 ext. 7556.

Online or Provincial Call Centre
You can book your vaccine appointment through the provincial phone line or online booking portal if you have a green Ontario photo health card (OHIP) (expired cards will be accepted).

Call 1-833-943-3900

Note:City of Hamilton staff are unable to assist with technical issues with the provincial booking system.

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Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline

You will choose to receive Moderna or Pfizer at most of our vaccine clinics.

The Ontario government recommends the use of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals aged 18-24 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).

If you do not have an Ontario health card or if you have a red and white Ontario health card, call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 to book your appointment.

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.

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 third 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.

These populations will be offered a third dose:

• Individuals with stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
• Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Transplants recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants).
• Patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for malignant hematologic disorders.
• Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies2 (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22), high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.

These patients are being contacted by their health care provider such as their primary care provider, specialist, or their hospital specialty program who will give them a referral form for their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine which can be received at any Hamilton Public Health Services’ (HPHS) community clinics.  Pharmacies who offer COVID vaccines have also been notified by the Province that they can give these vaccines. 

These populations are being offered a third dose in their residence a minimum of five months 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 is assisting local long-term care home administrators to on-board them to provide COVID-19 vaccination within their homes. Each administrator is setting the schedule for implementation within their respective long-term care home. As it relates to residents of higher-risk licensed retirement homes, HPHS is working with each site. Some will also be able to deliver these directly and will set their own schedule. A few will be receiving assistance from HPHS’ mobile clinic channel.

Third doses eligibility for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised experience an increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 and have demonstrated a sub-optimal immune response to the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series. A three-dose series of COVID-19 vaccine is currently being offered in the province of Ontario for the following immunocompromised groups:

• 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.

In Ontario, the recommended interval between second and third dose for this population is at least two months (8 weeks). Exact timing 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 present to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic (including pharmacy) with 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. 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.

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

• 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. 
• 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.

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

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.

Yes, everyone who receives a vaccine will get a printed receipt that includes their name, the date of their first and/or second vaccine, the name of the vaccine they received and the location of the vaccine clinic. If you consent to receive information electronically and provide the necessary details, you will also receive a digital version of the receipt electronically via email.