Toronto Public Health (TPH) continues to add appointments for the Novavax vaccine at City of Toronto immunization clinics as more supply of this vaccine is received, helping to protect residents against serious illness linked to COVID-19.
Appointments for the Novavax vaccine are now available up to Thursday, May 14 at the City’s five immunization clinics. Residents can book their Novavax vaccine appointment at www.TPHbookings.ca or can get an appointment through a referral by their primary care provider to TPH. TPH will contact individuals who are referred by their primary care provider with appointment details.
The Novavax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine that uses small pieces of a protein to teach an individual’s immune system to make antibodies that recognize and fight COVID-19. This is similar to how many influenza vaccines work to protect health.
In February 2022, Health Canada approved the Novavax vaccine for people aged 18 years and older. While the National Advisory Committee on Immunization continues to strongly recommend the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for most people due to their excellent protection against COVID-19, the Novavax vaccine is a new option for those who have been unable (i.e. due to an allergy) or unwilling to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
The Novavax vaccine has been proven to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 disease in the short term, and lowers the risk of serious consequences linked to COVID-19.
Two doses of the Novavax vaccine, administered eight weeks apart are required for primary COVID-19 protection. A booster dose is recommended. Similar to the mRNA vaccines, it takes two weeks after vaccination for residents to be fully protected from COVID-19. Novavax can be used for any of the first two doses or as a booster, even if the previous vaccine was different (for example, one dose of another COVID-19 vaccine and one dose of Novavax). More information about vaccines is available on the City’s COVID-19: About the Vaccines webpage.
TPH encourages residents to get their next eligible COVID-19 vaccine dose to lower their risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, and protect higher risk individuals in the community from getting sick. Vaccines are available across all five City-run immunization clinics, more than 525 local pharmacies that are offering the COVID-19 vaccine, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, select primary care offices and other Team Toronto health care partner clinics. More information on how to book is available on the City’s COVID-19: Where to Get Vaccinated webpage.
Quote:
“COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection against serious illness and hospitalizations linked to this virus. We’re pleased to offer residents more opportunities to receive a further layer of protection through the Novavax vaccine now that we’ve received more supply of this vaccine. Getting vaccinated protects you, your loved ones, and your community and I encourage everyone to get their next eligible vaccine dose if they have not done so already.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.