The COVID-19 XBB vaccine is available for eligible residents at select pharmacies and primary care providers. Novavax vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years of age are available at Toronto Public Health clinics. Please call 416-338-7600 to book an appointment if eligible.
Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines is important to protect the most vulnerable people in our community from serious illness, including hospitalization and death.
Following the Ontario Ministry of Health guidance, and guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) people who are at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 may get an additional dose of an XBB COVID-19 vaccine. People at increased risk of serious illness include:
The COVID-19 XBB vaccine dose is given six months from the previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or known COVID infection (minimal interval of three months).
The general population is recommended to wait until the fall 2024 to receive a COVID-19 XBB vaccine if they have previously received a COVID-19 vaccination or had a recent infection (in the last six months), unless recommended by their health care provider.
Individuals who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine can get the COVID-19 XBB vaccine at any time.
It’s recommended for young children to complete their vaccine series with the same vaccine product (Pfizer or Moderna). All children who have not finished or started their vaccine series can do so now.
| Previous COVID-19 vaccine doses | Recommended Number of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses and Interval Between Doses | |
|---|---|---|
| Moderna XBB Schedule | Pfizer XBB Schedule | |
| 3 or more doses | Vaccine series complete, no further doses recommended at this time | |
| 2 doses | Vaccine series complete, no further doses recommended at this time | 1 dose
8 weeks from the last dose |
| 1 dose | 1 dose
8 weeks from last dose |
2 doses
8 weeks from last dose |
| 0 doses | 2 doses
8 weeks from last dose |
3 doses
8 weeks apart |
Individuals 6 months of age and older who never received a COVID-19 vaccine can be vaccinated. See table above or specific recommendations.
Individuals who are 5 years of age and older who are eligible can be vaccinated.
Anyone 12 years of age and older and were never vaccinated may receive either an mRNA (Pfizer XBB or Moderna XBB) or protein subunit (Novavax XBB) COVID-19 vaccine.
All other individuals are currently recommended to wait until fall 2024 for their next COVID-19 vaccine dose, unless otherwise advised by their healthcare provider. This includes individuals who are not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and who did not receive the XBB COVID-19 vaccine in fall 2023.
| Previous COVID-19 vaccine doses | Recommended Number of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses and Interval Between Doses | |
|---|---|---|
| Moderna Schedule | Pfizer Schedule | |
| 1 dose or more | No doses or 1 dose if eligible | |
| 0 doses | 1 dose | |
Novavax XBB can be used instead of an mRNA vaccine to 12+ year olds
Receiving a vaccine is important for individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who are 6 months to 4 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated should receive an additional dose of vaccine to be fully protected. Follow Appendix B in the Ministry of Health’s guidance for number of doses recommended.
Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who are 5 years of age and older and never received a COVID-19 vaccine should receive 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Please refer to Ministry of Health guidance for more information.
Learn more on where people without OHIP cards can get vaccinated.
Everyone six months of age and older who has been vaccinated outside of Canada with one or more vaccine(s) not approved by Health Canada can receive a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine if it has been at least six months since the last COVID-19 vaccine or infection.
If you live in Toronto and got COVID-19 vaccines outside of Ontario or Canada, it’s recommended to keep your vaccine records updated. Learn more about how to document any dose(s) received outside of Ontario or Canada by visiting COVID-19: Proof of Vaccination.
To support with COVID-19 vaccine information, Scarborough Health Network’s VaxFacts+ Clinic is helping community members and families to get the most accurate information.