This site area is currently being updated to align with guidance for the upcoming 2024-2025 respiratory illness season.

 

There will be no COVID-19 vaccines in Canada beginning September 1, 2024. An updated COVID-19 vaccine is licensed by Health Canada and available in Fall 2024.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a market withdrawal of all COVID-19 XBB vaccines in Canada in preparation for the upcoming fall 2024-2025 respiratory illness season, when a new COVID-19 vaccine with KP.2 formulation will be available.

The new formulation will provide the greatest protection against currently circulating COVID-19 strains. The new  KP.2 vaccine is expected to be available in late September or early October.

Check back here to find out more information when the new vaccine will be available.

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.

 

Children six months to four years of age

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.

Vaccine Recommendations

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 five years and older

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.

Vaccine Recommendations

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.

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 vaccine information, VaxFacts+ is helping community members and families to get the most accurate information.