The Ontario Ministry of Health expects to get the updated COVID-19 booster later in September. Get your yearly flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 booster as soon as they are available.
During the fall and winter season, respiratory illnesses (such as flu, RSV and COVID-19) are expected to spread in our community as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. It is important for everyone to stay up-to-date with their vaccinations for the best protection from severe illness or hospitalization, especially those with weaker immune systems.
The Ontario Ministry of Health expects to receive the updated COVID-19 booster later in September. The updated booster targets the XBB strain of the Omicron variant. It will boost protection against severe COVID-19 that may have decreased over time and may be better to against currently circulating variants. More details about eligibility based on age and risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease is expected in the coming weeks. The updated COVID-19 booster has been licensed by Health Canada for anyone 6 months of age and older. Please check back on this webpage for the most up-to-date information.
The National Advisory on Immunization (NACI) recommends a dose of the updated COVID-19 booster if it has been at least 6 months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known infection (whichever is later).
Everyone six months of age and older can safely get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as most other vaccines (except for the RSV and Imvamune vaccine for MPOX).
It is recommended to consult with your health care provider before getting vaccinated to review the benefits and risks for your unique situation, if you:
Everyone aged six months and older is eligible to start or complete a primary series with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. A primary series is typically the first two or three doses to give a strong initial immune response.
The Ontario Ministry of Health will provide more details on the use of COVID-19 vaccines for people who have not been previously vaccinated or did not yet complete their primary series. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (protein subunit vaccine) is an option for people 12 years of age and older, who have not been able, due to medical reasons, or are not willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. It can also be used to complete a primary series that was started using a viral vector vaccine.
To further improve protection and effectiveness of the vaccine, the National Advisory on Immunization (NACI) and the Ontario Ministry of Health recommends 8 weeks as the optimal interval between doses in the primary series. Evidence will continue to be monitored and information will be updated as needed.
Learn more about the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, information about the vaccines, vaccine use by age, and where to get vaccinated.
Some people who have weakened immune systems may have a lower antibody response to the two dose series due to their underlying condition(s). Getting three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of your first COVID-19 vaccine series, is recommended for people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised to help build antibodies and for better long-term protection.
It is important to speak with your doctor or specialist about the timing for you to have the best possible immune response from the vaccine and minimize delays in your treatment. Advise the health care provider giving you the vaccination that you are immunocompromised.
A COVID-19 booster is a vaccine dose given after you have completed the primary vaccine series. It helps improve protection against COVID-19 that may have decreased over time and boosts the immune response even if you had a COVID-19 infection in the past. Health Canada authorized mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Spikevax), and Novavax Nuvaxovid (protein subunit vaccine) as booster doses regardless of which vaccine was used for your primary series.
NACI and the Ontario Ministry of Health recommends all eligible people get the updated COVID-19 booster later in September. It is especially important for people who are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection or hospitalization to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. More details about eligibility based on age and risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease is expected in the coming weeks. It is expected that people who are at higher risk for getting very sick will be eligible first.
Once eligible, you can receive a booster dose if it has been at least 6 months from your previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known infection.
For certain people with weakened immune systems, talk with your health care provider about your risks and benefits of getting a booster before Fall 2023.
With informed consent, the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is an option for people 18 years of age and older, who have not been able, due to medical reasons, or are not willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Name | Type | Age group | Primary Series Dose schedule | Vaccine dosage
|
Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bivalent Pfizer BioNTech | mRNA | Five to 11 years | Two doses; Eight weeks apart | Primary series* and booster:
Full dose (10 mcg) |
Available |
Bivalent Pfizer BioNTech | mRNA | 12 years+ | Two doses; Eight weeks apart | Primary series* and booster:
Full dose (30 mcg) |
Available
|
Bivalent Moderna Spikevax | mRNA | Six months & older | Two doses; Eight weeks apart | Primary series*:
Booster:
|
Available |
Novavax (Nuvaxovid) | Protein subunit | 12 years+ | Two doses, Eight weeks apart | Primary series*:
Full dose (0.5 mL) Booster dose for 18+ only: Full dose (0.5 mL) |
Available by appointment only. |
* Moderate to severely immunocompromised people, aged six months and over, are eligible for an additional dose to complete a primary series plus boosters (if 5 years of age and over)
Re-vaccination is recommended with a new COVID-19 vaccine primary series (three doses) and booster given the loss of immunity following:
Optimal timing should be determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with your clinical team.
Please bring your referral form/letter to EACH of your vaccination appointments, highlighting this is to restart your primary series.
Everyone aged six months and older, without OHIP cards, may get vaccinated at any clinic or pharmacy clinic offering COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments for City immunization clinics must be made through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
For all clinics, bring an acceptable form of identification which may include non-Canadian and expired documents such as a driver’s licence or passport, a piece of mail with your name on it, a pay stub or a student card. Those 18 or older must provide photo ID.
Vaccines approved by Health Canada or are on the World Health Organizations (WHO) COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Listing:
Vaccines approved for use in Canada are currently Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech), SpikeVax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), and Nuvaxovid (Novavax).
Vaccines not authorized by Health Canada and are not on WHO’s COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Listing:
Unsure About Which Vaccine You Received
If you are eligible for an additional dose(s), including a mRNA dose needed to complete your series or a booster dose, you can book an appointment at any City-run immunization clinic using your green photo Ontario Health Card (OHIP) number through the provincial portal or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).
With an older red and white OHIP card number or with no OHIP number at all you can book an appointment by calling 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). Walk-in appointments are also accepted. You do not need to wait until your out-of-province dose(s) is documented by Toronto Public Health.
Even with a previous COVID-19 infection, people who have not started/completed their primary series or those who are eligible for a booster dose, are still strongly recommended to complete their COVID-19 series. Immunity from an infection may not last and people can be infected with COVID-19 again.
Hybrid immunity means having protection from being vaccinated for COVID-19 and a recent past COVID-19 infection. A past COVID-19 infection can provide natural immunity, but it does not last long – especially with Omicron variants. You have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 again if you are not up-to-date with your vaccinations.
If you have had COVID-19 in the past you should still stay up to date with your vaccinations to get the benefit of hybrid immunity.
Every COVID-19 infection increases the risk for long COVID. To maximize the immune response after you have had COVID‑19, you should wait the following intervals after symptoms started or a positive test (if you had no symptoms) before receiving your next dose:
If completing your primary series:
If getting a booster dose: