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Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is important, especially for those at higher risk of getting very sick. It takes at least two weeks after getting vaccinated to be protected.
It is safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, before or after a flu vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization, or any other routine vaccines.
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus started an outbreak which led to a pandemic. Later, this novel coronavirus became known as COVID-19.
As cases of infection rose globally, public health measures were taken to reduce the spread and harm from infection, including physical distancing, masking, and vaccination. While the strategies work better together, vaccination is still the most effective protection against severe COVID-19.
Free (publicly funded) COVID-19 vaccines are made available by the Ontario Ministry of Health. All publicly funded COVID-19 vaccines are considered to work the same and to provide the same protection against COVID-19.
Moderna and Pfizer vaccines can be used interchangeably as long as the one given is approved for the person’s age, unless a medical condition makes it unsafe to receive a specific vaccine.
The Novavax vaccine will not be available in Ontario for 2025/2026. Individuals who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine should:
The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, especially people at higher risk of getting very sick.
It is safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, before or after a flu vaccine, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunization, or any other routine vaccines.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that everyone should get one COVID-19 vaccine annually, and some high-risk residents should get two.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you better because it gives your immune system a boost and the vaccine is designed to match the variant that’s currently spreading.
The following individuals are at higher risk of getting very sick from a COVID-19 infection and should get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall and an additional dose in the spring:
Adults aged 65 to 79 years old should get COVID-19 vaccine dose(s) this fall AND may get an additional dose in the spring. Certain individuals in this age group are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and would benefit from doses in the fall and spring
Individuals in this group who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease should get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall:
Individuals in this group should get one COVID-19 vaccine per year, unless they have not completed their primary series. The following residents may get a COVID-19 vaccine this fall:
| Current age | Health status | # of doses received before Fall 2025 | # of eligible doses | Spacing between doses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months to 4 years | Immunocompetent | 0 doses | 2 doses* | 8 weeks |
| 1 dose Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| 1 dose Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty | 2 doses* | 8 weeks | ||
| 2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty | 1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| 2 doses both Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose | 3 months^ | ||
| ≥3 doses, Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and/or Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose | 3 months^ | ||
| ≥5 years | Immunocompetent | 0 doses | 1 dose* | N/A |
| 1 dose at ≥5 years | 1 dose | 3 months^ | ||
| 1 dose at <5 years | 1 dose* | 8 weeks | ||
| ≥2 doses | 1 dose | 3 months^ |
* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
^ Minimum intervalNote: eligible dose(s) can be received in the fall of 2025. Regardless of whether the fall dose(s) (i.e., primary series or the 1 dose) are given, doses are not required in the spring of 2026. Individuals are recommended to be vaccinated during the next annual COVID-19 vaccine program (i.e., 2026/2027) to ensure optimal protection against circulating strains.
Receiving a vaccine is important for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
| Current age | Health status | # of doses received before Fall 2025 | # of eligible doses | Spacing between doses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months to 4 years | Immunocompromised (except post-HSCT/CAR T-cell therapy) | 0 doses | 3 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
| 1 dose Moderna Spikevax | 2 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 1 dose Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty |
3 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 2 doses Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer- BioNTech Comirnaty | 2 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 3 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer- BioNTech Comirnaty | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 3 doses all Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥4 doses Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and/or Moderna Spikevax | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥5 years | Immunocompromised (except post-HSCT/CAR T-cell therapy) | 0 doses | 2 doses*† and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
| 1 dose at ≥5 years | 1 dose*† and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| 1 dose Moderna Spikevax at <5 years | 2 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| 1 dose Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty at <5 years | 3 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| 2 doses Moderna Spikevax with
≥1 dose at <5 years |
1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| 2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer- BioNTech Comirnaty at <5 years | 2 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| ≥2 doses at ≥5 years | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| 3 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer- BioNTech Comirnaty at <5 years | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 week
3 months^ |
||
| ≥3 doses Moderna Spikevax with
≥1 dose at <5 years |
1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥4 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer- BioNTech Comirnaty at <5 years | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥5 years | Post-HSCT/CAR T-cell therapy | 0 dose | 3 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
| 1 dose | 2 doses* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| 2 doses | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
4-8 weeks
3 months^ |
||
| ≥3 doses | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥18 years | Immunocompromised (except post-HSCT/CAR T-cell therapy) | 0 doses | 1 dose* and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ |
| 1 dose | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ | ||
| ≥2 doses | 1 dose and
1 additional dose |
3 months^ |
* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
^ Minimum interval
† A 3rd dose (for the primary series) may be offered 4 to 8 weeks after the previous dose. Health care providers can use discretion to determine the potential benefit of a 3rd dose.
Note: Spring doses may continue to be given only to severely immunocompromised individuals until August 31, 2026. These individuals must be assessed by their health care provider to determine if immunization cannot wait until the next annual COVID-19 vaccine program (i.e. 2026/2027) to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine that will provide better protection.
Everyone six months of age and older who has been vaccinated outside of Canada with one or more COVID-19 vaccine(s) not approved by Health Canada, can get a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least six months since their last COVID-19 vaccine.
If you live in Toronto and received a dose outside of Ontario and need to have your COVID-19 vaccine dose documented, please complete Toronto Public Health’s online form. You can document individual COVID-19 vaccines or a full series. You will need to submit proof of vaccination.
For vaccines received in other Canadian provinces and territories, proof of vaccination requires submission of an enhanced vaccination certificate with QR code. Please consult the relevant provincial or territorial website for information about how to obtain the enhanced certificate.
Some people vaccinated in Ontario received a vaccine from what is referred to as non-Ontario stock. This refers to a vaccine that was not allocated to Ontario or recorded in the provincial vaccine management system. Generally, these doses were delivered at institutions such as correctional facilities, military groups or embassies. People who received one or two doses of a vaccine from the non-Ontario stock may also document them through Toronto Public Health’s online form.
If you need assistance documenting your COVID-19 vaccine or if you are not able to provide proof of your vaccination, please call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY: 416-392-0658).
COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune system how to make antibodies that protect us against COVID-19. These antibodies can recognize and attack the virus when it enters the body.
mRNA vaccines, like the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax vaccines, provide your body with instructions (mRNA) to make antibodies. The COVID-19 vaccine was the first vaccine using mRNA technology to be approved for use, but it was in development for many years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccines do not stay in the body for a long time, do not contain the COVID-19 virus and cannot give you COVID-19. It takes at least two weeks after getting the vaccine to be protected. Even if you had COVID-19 in the past, it’s important to get vaccinated this season as protection decreases over time and vaccines are updated each year to match the new variant/strains expected to spread.
Health Canada has approved COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective. They meet quality standards, and the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risks of a COVID-19 infection.
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada continue to monitor the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada and will take appropriate action as needed.
Most vaccine side effects are mild and last for one to three days. Side effects usually mean that the vaccine is working.
Common side effects include:
Severe side effects are rare. Get medical attention right away if you develop any of these symptoms after getting a vaccine:
Report any severe reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine to your health care provider. Health care providers are required to report Adverse Events Following Immunizations (AEFIs) to Toronto Public Health.
The vaccines contain lipids (fats), salts, sugars, and buffers. They do not contain eggs, gelatin (pork), gluten, latex, preservatives, antibiotics or aluminum.
Allergies to the COVID-19 vaccines are rare. The vaccines are safe, and people with allergies, including serious allergies to food, medications, and insect bites can get vaccinated. Talk to a health care provider first if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or tromethamine (Tris). People with severe allergies to any of the vaccine ingredients should talk to their physician/allergist about getting the vaccine.
Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. People are monitored for 15 minutes after vaccination for any reactions. Get medical help if you have trouble breathing or have hives or swelling in the face and throat, hoarseness, wheezing, high fever (over 40°C), or seizures within four hours of getting the vaccine.
If you get a serious reaction after your first dose, talk to your health care provider about future vaccinations. Sometimes you can still be safely vaccinated or can received a different vaccine.
Individuals who have a fever or illness more serious than a cold should delay getting their COVID-19 vaccine until they are symptom-free. The presence of a minor illness, such as a cold, should not delay vaccination.