COVID-19 Information for Health Professionals

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Symptoms of COVID-19 can be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV. If sick, patients should follow provincial guidance on isolation duration and masking.

For more information on clinical signs and symptoms, surveillance, laboratory testing, IPAC, reporting and patient resources, please see Respiratory Viruses Information for Health Professionals.

See the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Current Case Definition for COVID-19.

For guidance about testing:

Effective October 1, 2024 in Ontario, publicly funded COVID-19 testing (rapid antigen tests and PCR testing) will only be available to:

  • Individuals eligible for COVID-19 treatment (i.e., symptomatic individuals who are immunocompromised, or 65 years of age or older, or those with high-risk medical conditions).
  • People in high-risk and some congregate living settings (including long-term care homes) and other specific populations to support outbreak prevention and management.

To find out about test availability and to arrange to take a test, individuals meeting the above criteria will contact their primary care provider or pharmacist.

Rapid Antigen Tests

The distribution of free rapid antigen tests kits to the public has been discontinued by the Provincial government. Toronto Public Health will no longer order or distribute rapid antigen test kits.

HCPs can order RATs to distribute to their patients free of charge as “eligible persons” under the Provincial Antigen Screening Program (PASP) Agreement. This is in addition to orders placed for RATS for their employees. HCPs not currently enrolled in PASP that would like to distribute RATs to employees and/or patients, can enroll here.

Orders will continue to be through the PPE Supply Portal. For assistance in creating an account or accessing an existing account, or for any questions about orders and shipment, please contact sco.supplies@supplyontario.ca.

Please see the TPH COVID-19 webpage for more information and updates for your patients.

Shelf-life and Expiry Dates

TPH would recommend discarding test kits if they have expired.

As noted by Health Canada “Rapid tests are medical devices, which means they have an expiry date. This is known as a shelf-life. Health Canada authorizes the shelf-life of rapid tests and has granted several shelf-life extensions. The expiry date is determined by the manufacturer and is printed on the labelling during the manufacturing process. However, expiry dates may be impacted by shelf-life extensions even after products have been distributed. Contact the manufacturer of your rapid test to confirm its expiry date.”

For disposal, please note:

Waste generated from rapid antigen tests is considered hazardous waste under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and its regulation, and requires proper management and disposal of rapid antigen tests at a waste disposal site.

Kindly note that unused, expired, and/ or damaged tests/ test kits cannot be returned to any central government warehouse due to quality control considerations. Organizations are encouraged to review the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) guidelines regarding the proper and safe disposal of waste from rapid antigen tests.

Unused/ expired rapid antigen tests are to be disposed of following the same guidelines as used rapid antigen tests.

Approved facilities for final disposal of biomedical waste include:

  • Daniels Sharpsmart Canada Limited
  • Stericycle, ULC
  • Octagon Medical Services Ltd.

 

To view COVID-19 test results online:

If you are not providing COVID-19 vaccine in your practice, you can direct your patients to book their vaccine appointment using the Province’s registration system. COVID-19 vaccines are available by appointment at Toronto Public Health clinics for children 6 months to 4 years of age

Ordering Vaccines for your Practice

For more information about ordering vaccines for your practice please visit Vaccine Ordering from Toronto Public Health.

Homebound Vaccination Referrals

Toronto Paramedic Services offers fall vaccinations for homebound residents with medical, physical, cognitive, or psychosocial barriers, where transportation and other access solutions are unavailable or unsuitable.

The program closed March 31, 2025 for the season. The program will re-open in October, 2025 for the 2025-2026 season.

For Spring 2025, an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended only to high-risk populations who have completed their primary series and are at increased risk of severe infection.

Individuals who are not high-risk are not recommended to receive a dose in the spring even if they did not receive a dose in the fall/winter. These individuals are recommended to be vaccinated in fall 2025-2026.

The COVID-19 vaccines available this season are:

KP.2 COVID-19 Vaccine Vaccine Platform Age for use in Ontario Dosage Volume
Moderna Spikevax messenger RNA 6 months to 11 years 0.25 mL/25 ug
Moderna Spikevax messenger RNA 12 years + 0.5 mL/50 ug
Pfizer COMIRNATY messenger RNA 12 years + 0.3 mL/30mcg

 

Recommended high-risk and priority populations:

  • Adults 65 years of age or older, especially 80 years of age and older.
  • Adult residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings for seniors.
  • Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to an underlying condition or treatment).
  • Individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their household members who are 55 years and older.
  • Pregnant individuals.*
  • Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings

*COVID-19 vaccine may be offered at any stage of the pregnancy (i.e., in any trimester) and while breastfeeding.

Individuals six months of age and older who are not at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe illness from COVID-19 are recommended to wait until the fall/winter 2025-2026 even if they have missed their dose in the fall/winter of 2024-2025.

See NACI guidance for further information.

Visit TPH’s COVID-19: Vaccines for more information to share with patients.

Immunization schedule for non high-risk Children 6 months to 4 years of age.

Current Age Health Status Vaccination History # of Doses of Vaccine to Give Interval Between Doses
6 months to 4 years Immuno-competent 0 doses 2 doses* 8 weeks
1 dose Moderna 1 dose* 8 weeks
1 dose Pfizer 2 doses* 8 weeks
2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer 1 dose* 8 weeks
2 doses both Moderna 1 dose* 6 months°
≥3 doses, Pfizer and/or Moderna 1 dose* 6 months°

*Dose(s) required to complete the primary series.

°The recommended interval is 6 months, and the minimum interval is 3 months.

Immunization schedule for Immunocompetent Children ages 5 years and older.

Current Age Health Status Vaccination History # of Doses of Vaccine to Give Interval Between Doses
5 years + Immuno-competent 0 doses 1 dose*
≥1 dose, any product 1 dose 6 months°
1 dose at <5 years 1 dose* 8 weeks
≥2 doses 1 dose 6 months°

* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
° The recommended interval is 6 months, and the minimum interval is 3 months

COVID-19 Vaccine after Previous COVID-19 Infection

Individuals may consider delaying COVID-19 immunization by 3 to 6 months if someone had a recent test-confirmed COVID-19 infection and were previously vaccinated.

Hybrid immunity, having protection from being vaccinated for COVID-19 and a recent past COVID-19 infection, can provide natural immunity but it does not last long. Individuals have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 again if they are not up to date with their vaccinations. Encourage patients to stay up to date with their vaccinations to get the benefit of hybrid immunity.

Vaccination if Immunocompromised

Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who are 6 months of age and older are recommended to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine this spring.
Please refer to Ministry of Health guidance for more information.

Immunization schedule for Moderate to Severely immunocompromised Children 6 months to 4 years of age.

Current Age Health Status Vaccination History # of Doses Recommended Interval Between Doses
6 months to 4 years Immuno-compromised 0 doses 3 doses* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
1 dose Moderna 2 doses* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
1 dose Pfizer 3 doses* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
2 doses both Moderna 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
2 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer 2 doses* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
3 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
3 doses all Moderna 1 dose and 1 additional dose 6 months°
≥4 doses Pfizer and/or Moderna 1 dose and 1 additional dose 6 months°

* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
° The recommended interval is 6 months, and the minimum interval is 3 months

Immunization schedule for Moderate to Severely immunocompromised 5 years of age and older.

Current Age Health Status Vaccination History # of Doses Recommended Interval Between Doses
≥5 years Immuno-compromised 0 doses 2 doses*^ and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
1 dose at ≥5 years 1 dose*^ and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
1 dose Moderna at <5 years 2 doses* and 1 additional dose 4-8 weeks

6 months°
1 dose Pfizer at <5 years 3 doses* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
2 doses Moderna with ≥1 doses at <5 years 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
2 doses Moderna with ≥1 doses at <5 years 2 doses* and 1 additional dose1 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
≥2 doses at ≥5 years 1 dose and 1 additional dose 6 months°
≥3 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer at <5 years 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
≥3 doses Moderna with ≥1 dose at <5 years 1 dose and 1 additional dose 6 months°
≥4 doses with ≥1 doses Pfizer at <5 years 1 dose and 1 additional dose 6 months°
0 doses 3 doses* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
IC: HSCT recipient or CAR T cell therapy 1 dose 2 doses* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
2 doses 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 4 to 8 weeks
6 months°
≥3 doses 1 dose* and 1 additional dose 6 months°

* Dose(s) required to complete the primary series
° The recommended interval is 6 months, and the minimum interval is 3 months
^ A 3rd dose (for the primary series) may be offered 4 to 8 weeks after the previous dose

Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI)

An AEFI is an unwanted or unexpected health effect that happens after someone receives a vaccine, which may or may not be caused by the vaccine. A causal relationship does not need to be proven before reporting. Of particular interest are unusual or unexpected events, or serious reactions requiring urgent care.

Toronto health care providers are required to report all Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) to TPH under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Complete the AEFI Reporting Form  and fax it to 416-696-3492 or email it to AEFI@toronto.ca.

To stay up-to-date about AEFIs reported following COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s weekly report, Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada, regularly.

More information about COVID-19 vaccines:

For guidance about COVID-19 treatment:

For information on testing and treatment, including eligibility and locations:

For information on how primary care providers and other health care providers can access remdesivir treatment for COVID-19 for patients in the community:

In Toronto, virtual clinical assessments, prescribing of Remdesivir and referral to Home and Community Support Services (HCCSS) for Remdesivir treatment continues to be supported by the UHN Connected Care Hub .

For information about prevention and management of respiratory outbreaks in LTCH & RH: Infection Prevention & Control Information for Long-Term Care Homes & Retirement Homes