Book a COVID-19 vaccine at a City immunization clinic or call 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). Walk-ins available based on capacity. Vaccines are also available a pharmacies and some family doctors.

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.

Vaccination, including the COVID-19 and flu vaccine, is one of the best ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against respiratory viruses. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends:

  • Children six months to four years old complete a primary series. Boosters are not currently available for this age group.
  • Everyone five years and older complete a primary series and a booster dose. As of July 7, 2023, residents who did not get a booster dose are recommended to wait to get it in the fall when virus spread is high. Getting the vaccine during this time will provide the best protection.

Routine childhood vaccination is still important during COVID-19. Vaccines should only be delayed if your child has COVID-19 symptoms. Learn more about routine immunizations for children.

The COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as (i.e same day) or any time before or after a different vaccine. Speak to a health care provider about the benefits and risks.

 

As of July 7, 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Health recommends bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA vaccines to start or complete a primary series for everyone six months of age and older.

Bivalent means that the vaccine targets two strains of COVID-19 – the original strain and Omicron. The bivalent vaccines can give better protection against Omicron variants.

For children ages six months to four years, the bivalent Moderna vaccine is the only bivalent product available. Children must be at least six months old at the time of vaccination.

Children and youth who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a three dose primary series.

According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), children who are immunocompromised may benefit from getting a bivalent Moderna dose rather than a bivalent Pfizer dose. Informed consent is recommended.

Health Canada has also approved Novavax, a protein subunit vaccine, for youth aged 12 and older who are not able or willing to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. However, this vaccine is currently not available.

To further improve protection and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, NACI and the Ontario Ministry of Health have recommended 8 weeks as the best interval between doses in the primary series. .

As an added safety measure, children who experience myocarditis/pericarditis after receiving their first dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine are recommended to delay their second dose until more information is available.

NACI, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health continue to follow this closely and will update this recommendation as more evidence becomes available.

For more information on vaccine use by age, visit: COVID-19: Vaccine Eligibility & Doses – City of Toronto

Boosters are not currently available for children six months to four years of age. Everyone five years and older should complete a primary series. Booster doses will be available in fall 2023.

  • Getting a booster dose in the fall, when the respiratory season starts and the virus spreads the most, gives the best protection against the COVID-19 virus.
  • A booster dose can be given six months after the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or a COVID-19 infection.
  • Vaccine manufacturers are working to make their COVID-19 vaccines better at targeting new variants of COVID-19 (such as XBB). They have submitted updated vaccines to Health Canada for approval.
  • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends these updated COVID-19 vaccines be used, in the fall, as a booster for everyone that is eligible.

Learn more about booster doses.

  • Unvaccinated people are at the highest risk of serious illness and hospitalization for COVID-19 infection, including in children.
  • Children infected with COVID-19 and its variants can spread it to others even if they do not develop symptoms. Most children who get infected with COVID-19 do not usually get very sick. However, some children have developed serious illness and needed hospitalization, even if they did not have other health conditions.
  • COVID-19 infection in children may lead to rare but serious health issues, including:
    • Myocarditis or pericarditis (heart inflammation)
    • Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), a serious inflammatory reaction that occurs about four weeks after having COVID-19. It often requires hospitalization or ICU admission.

Even with mild symptoms, children can develop a condition called long COVID where they have symptoms weeks or months after getting COVID-19.

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect children and the people around them from COVID-19 related illness, hospitalization and death.

Vaccinating children helps:

  • Reduce COVID-19 virus spread in the community
  • Protect against COVID-19 variants of concern
  • Protection to friends, family and community members, including people who have a higher risk of getting very sick
  • Protect them from severe illness and being hospitalized
  • Provides protection from long COVID-19, even if they get a COVID-19 infection while vaccinated
  • Provide longer protection against COVID-19 compared to immunity from an infection

The more children who are vaccinated, the safer childcare/school, sports or other activities will be. It will reduce the risk of outbreaks and prevent closures or disruptions in school and activities. In this way, vaccines help kids get back to ‘normal’, which helps to protect and promote their mental health and wellbeing.

  • Health Canada has approved COVID-19 vaccines as safe and effective for this age group, they meet quality standards, and the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risks of COVID-19 infection.
  • Health Canada and 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.
  • Since the clinical trials, the pediatric vaccines have been given to millions of children in Canada and the USA. The vaccine continues to be safe.
  • The COVID-19 vaccines for children are a smaller dose compared to the dose for adults. This is because younger children have strong immune systems and need a smaller amount of vaccine to get protected.
  • Boosters are safe—they were carefully studied and millions of doses have been given worldwide.
  • Evidence shows the recommended longer intervals between doses may lower the risk of myocarditis with or without pericarditis.

Common COVID-19 side effects in young children are like those seen in adults. Side effects are usually mild and go away within one to three days. They include:

  • Sore arm near the injection site
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Achy muscles or joints
  • Fever and chills

The vaccine continues to be safe. The risk of myocarditis or pericarditis in children following vaccination is rare.

More information on myocarditis and pericarditis:

There is no evidence the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility, long-term menstrual irregularities, puberty, or normal growth and development.

Children with allergies can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Children with severe allergies to food, medications, and insect bites should all be vaccinated. If your child has had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or medical product, or if you have other questions about allergic reactions, speak to your health care provider before getting the shot.

Children who have had MIS-C should wait to be vaccinated for at least 90 days after diagnosis (NACI 2021).

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 you can get COVID-19 again. For recommendations on when to get a COVID-19 vaccine, see Previous COVID-19 Infection.

Vaccination clinics are available for children and their families at:

Children and youth without OHIP cards, may get vaccinated at any COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Toronto. For details, see residents without OHIP Cards.

Specialized Accommodations/Clinics

SickKids

SickKids can help coordinate their COVID-19 vaccination appointment and offer specialized services with the availability of Child Life Specialists and paediatric vaccinators.

Homebound vaccinations

Children living with medical, physical, cognitive or psychosocial needs/conditions that prevent them from visiting a local clinic, pharmacy, or their care provider may get the COVID-19 vaccination in their home.

First, contact your child’s physician or homecare service to see if they offer home vaccination. If they do not, they will complete the Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Referral Template form and send it to Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS). TPS will call you and confirm your eligibility and, if confirmed, schedule a date and time for a Community Paramedic to visit and complete the child’s in-home vaccination.

If you have questions after speaking with your child’s physician, you may contact TPS by:

Learn more at eligibility for homebound vaccinations.

Routine immunization for infants and toddlers is still important during COVID-19. Vaccine preventable diseases are still spreading globally. Waiting to vaccinate can leave children vulnerable to diseases. Vaccines should only be postponed if your child is sick with respiratory symptoms to prevent any possible spread of COVID-19.

Children six months and older may receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after any other vaccines, including the flu shot.

For more details, see:

Tips for babies and younger children

Vaccines given with a needle can be painful and frightening for a child. Parents play an important role in supporting their children during immunizations. The following resources can be helpful to use, before, during and after the visit to make the process less stressful.

  • Making vaccines easier for your baby
  • Making vaccines easier for your child
  • Caring for Kids: A guide for parents on pain reduction
  • Immunize Canada: CARD Game For Kids

Tips for older children and youth

It is important to share information in an age-appropriate way with your child about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines.

For more information: