COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan for KFL&A region

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The Ministry of Health provides detailed guidance for the Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination. Currently we are booking only the first groups in Phase 2. KFL&A Public Health is working with many partners in our community to provide vaccines through a variety of immunization clinics to meet these eligibility priorities. We are continuing to vaccinate those in Phase 1 categories along with Phase 2. 

Please understand Phase 2 of the vaccine roll-out encompasses large groups of people. 

There are no areas within the KFL&A region that are considered provincial hot spots. 

Staff and essential caregivers in long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder care homes, and any residents of these settings that have not yet received a first dose of vaccine; alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors; highest priority health care workers, followed by very high priority health care workers, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization; and Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (including on-reserve and urban communities).

Phase 1 – Next priority

Adults 80 years of age and older. Staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (e.g., assisted living); health care workers in the high priority level, and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization; all Indigenous adults; and adult recipients of chronic home care.

Phase 2 

Older adults

• Beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout.
• Those 40 years of age and older (without health conditions) may access participating local pharmacy clinics.

Individuals with Health Conditions

Highest-Risk Health Conditions:

• Pregnant individuals
• Organ transplant recipients
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
• Neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis)
• Haematological malignancy diagnosed <1 year • Kidney disease eGFR< 30

High-Risk Health Conditions:

• Obesity (BMI > 40)
• Other treatments causing immunosuppression (e.g., chemotherapy, immunity weakening medications)
• Intellectual or developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome)

At-Risk Health Conditions:

• Immune deficiencies/autoimmune disorders
• Stroke/cerebrovascular disease
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• All other cancers
• Respiratory diseases
• Spleen problems (e.g., asplenia)
• Heart disease
• Hypertension with end organ damage
• Diagnosis of mental disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Thalassemia
• Immunocompromising health conditions
• Other disabilities requiring direct support care in the community

High-Risk Congregate Living Settings

High-Risk Congregate living settings include:

• Supportive housing
• Developmental services / intervenor including supported independent living (SIL)
• Emergency homeless shelters
• Other homeless populations not in shelters
• Mental health and addictions congregate living (e.g., supportive housing, hospital psychiatric patients)
• Homes for special care
• Employer-provided living accommodations for temporary foreign agricultural workers
• Adult correctional facilities
• Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters
• Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) residences
• Children’s residential facilities
• Youth justice facilities
• Indigenous healing and wellness
• Bail beds & Indigenous bail beds
• Provincial and demonstration schools/ Consortium Centre Jules-Léger

Essential workers who cannot work from home

First Group of Essential Workers Who Cannot Work from Home

• Elementary/ secondary school workers (including educators, custodial, school bus drivers, administrative staff)
• Workers responding to critical events (including police, fire, special constables, children’s aid society workers, emergency management, critical infrastructure restoration workers).
• Enforcement, inspection and compliance roles (including by-law enforcement, building inspectors, food inspectors, animal welfare inspectors, border inspection officers, labour inspectors / WSIB field workers)
• Individuals working in childcare as follows:
  • All licensees, employees and students on an educational placement who interact directly with children in licensed childcare centres and in authorized recreation and skill building programs.
  • Licensed home child care and in-home service providers, employees of a home child care agency and students on an educational placement
• Foster care agency workers (including customary care providers)
• Food manufacturing and distribution workers
• Agriculture and farm workers
• Funeral, crematorium and cemetery workers

Second Group of Essential Workers Who Cannot Work from Home

• Essential and critical retail workers (including grocery, postal workers, foodbank and non-clinical pharmacy workers, ServiceOntario workers, ServiceCanada and Passport Canada workers, wholesalers and general goods, restaurant workers, LCBO)
• Workers in manufacturing industries directly involved in supporting the COVID19 response, construction including infrastructure, and other essential businesses and services where facilities are at heightened risk for COVID-19 outbreaks and spread.
• Social workers and other social services staff providing in-person client services (including youth justice workers, OW and ODSP case workers)
• Courts and justice system workers (including probation and parole workers)
• Transportation, warehousing and distribution workers (including public transit workers, taxi drivers supporting essential services, truck drivers supporting essential services, marine and rail cargo and maintenance, highway maintenance)
• Electricity (including workers employed in system operations, generation, transmission, distribution and storage).
• Communications infrastructure workers (including cellular, satellite, landline, internet, public safety radio)
• Water and wastewater management workers
• Financial services workers (bank branch staff)
• Veterinarians and veterinary teams
• Waste management workers
• Oil and petroleum workers (including those working in petroleum refineries; those involved in the storage, transmission and distribution of crude oil and petroleum products and those needed for the retail sale of fuel).
• Natural gas and propane gas workers (including those working in the compression, storage, transmission and distribution of natural gas and propane)
• Mine workers (including those needed to ensure the continued operation of active mines)
• Uranium processing workers (those working in the refining and conversion of uranium, and fabrication of fuel for nuclear power plants).

Phase 3 

• Remaining Ontarians over 16 years old who wish to be vaccinated

Types of vaccines

• Pfizer
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca

Types of vaccine clinics

• KHSC hospital based clinics
• Mobile clinics (work with individual facilities to deliver vaccines on-site
• Mass vaccination clinics (semi-permanent locations in KFL&A area)
• Strategic in-community clinics to reach high-risk  priority populations (temporary locations in KFL&A area)
• Primary care clinics
• Pharmacy clinics

 Interval between first and second dose

The Ministry of Health has implemented an extension of the second dose interval for most individuals. 

Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care Lodges and assisted living facilities, individuals on dialysis and Indigenous Peoples will continue to receive their second dose COVID-19 vaccine at the initial intervals as described in the product monographs.

There are some medical exceptions to extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines. In these cases the original interval should be maintained at the product monograph recommended interval for patients:

• with malignant hematologic disorders on immunocompromising therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy),
• nonhematologic malignant solid tumours on immunocompromising therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy), and 
• transplant recipients (including solid organ transplants and hematopoletic stem cell transplants), given evidence of reduced immune response to vaccination in these individuals.
  • This patient group will require a letter from the hospital clinic or specialist to confirm that they are eligible to get a second dose appointment at the monograph interval, identifying the reason for the exception. This letter should be presented at both the first and second appointment.
  • These exceptions do not apply to essential caregivers.
• Indigenous peoples, including immediate family household members, are eligible to book a second dose appointment at the interval recommended by the vaccine manufacturer, based on appointment availability. Individuals that wish to book an earlier second dose appointment and cancel their previously scheduled appointment, can phone the KFL&A Public Health booking centre at 343-477-0172.
• Individuals undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis are eligible to book a second dose appointment at the interval recommended by the vaccine manufacturer, based on appointment availability. A letter is required from the dialysis unit or nephrologist identifying their eligibility. Individuals that wish to book an earlier second dose appointment and cancel their previously scheduled appointment can contact the Kingston Health Sciences Centre booking centre at COVIDvaccinationclinic@kingstonhsc.ca. Caregivers will not be eligible for the shortened second dose interval.

All others who have received their first dose and have not received a second dose will be provided their second dose after an interval up to 16 weeks.  

Appointments for individuals 50 years of age and older

We know everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, but we are asking those not yet eligible to avoid accessing the booking tool or calling the service desk.

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007), open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

Appointments for essential workers who cannot work from home

First group of essential workers:

• Elementary and secondary school workers (including educators, custodial, school bus drivers, administrative staff)
• Workers responding to critical events (including police, fire, special constables, children’s aid society workers, emergency management, critical infrastructure restoration workers).
• Enforcement, inspection and compliance roles (including by-law enforcement, building inspectors, food inspectors, animal welfare inspectors, border inspection officers, labour inspectors / WSIB field workers)
• Individuals working in child care as follows:
  • Licensees, employees and students (18+) on an educational placement who interact directly with children in licensed child care centres and in authorized recreation and skill building programs.
  • Licensed home child care and in-home service providers, employees of a home child care agency and students (18+) on an educational placement who interact directly with children in a licensed home child care setting.
  • A personalized letter from the employer confirming employment as a child care worker in a licensed child care setting, including the license number, is required at the vaccination appointment.
• Foster care agency workers (including customary care providers)
• Food manufacturing and distribution workers
• Agriculture and farm workers
• Funeral, crematorium and cemetery workers

Second group of essential workers:

• Essential and critical retail workers (including grocery, postal workers, foodbank and non-clinical pharmacy workers, ServiceOntario workers, ServiceCanada and Passport Canada workers, wholesalers and general goods, restaurant workers, LCBO)
• Workers in manufacturing industries directly involved in supporting the COVID19 response, construction including infrastructure, and other essential businesses and services where facilities are at heightened risk for COVID-19 outbreaks and spread.
• Social workers and other social services staff providing in-person client services (including youth justice workers, OW and ODSP case workers)
• Courts and justice system workers (including probation and parole workers)
• Transportation, warehousing and distribution workers (including public transit workers,  taxi drivers supporting essential services, truck drivers supporting essential services, marine and rail cargo and maintenance, highway maintenance)
• Electricity (including workers employed in system operations, generation, transmission, distribution and storage).
• Communications infrastructure workers (including cellular, satellite, landline, internet, public safety radio)
• Water and wastewater management workers
• Financial services workers (bank branch staff)
• Veterinarians and veterinary teams
• Waste management workers
• Oil and petroleum workers (including those working in petroleum refineries; those involved in the storage, transmission and distribution of crude oil and petroleum products and those needed for the retail sale of fuel).
• Natural gas and propane gas workers (including those working in the compression, storage, transmission and distribution of natural gas and propane)
• Mine workers (including those needed to ensure the continued operation of active mines)
• Uranium processing workers (those working in the refining and conversion of uranium, and fabrication of fuel for nuclear power plants).

Booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments. 
Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Road, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centre (KCHC) – 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston - Kingston 
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr, Napanee 

• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Appointments for individuals with health conditions 

Highest-risk health conditions include:

• Organ transplant recipients and individuals awaiting organ transplant,
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients,
• Neurological diseases in which respiratory function may be compromised (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis),
• Haematological malignancy diagnosed <1 year,
• Kidney disease eGFR< 30,
• Individuals who are pregnant at the time of vaccination, and
• Up to One essential caregiver for individuals in the groups listed above, who provides direct, regular, and sustained assistance with personal care or activities of daily living (e.g. feeding, bathing, dressing). 

High-risk health conditions include:

• Obesity (BMI > 40)
• Other treatments causing immunosuppression (e.g., chemotherapy, immunity weakening medications)
• Intellectual or developmental disabilities (e.g., Down Syndrome)
• Up to One essential caregiver for individuals in the groups listed above, who provides direct, regular and sustained assistance with personal care or activities of daily living (e.g. feeding, bathing, dressing).

At-risk health conditions include:

• Immune deficiencies/autoimmune disorders
• Stroke/cerebrovascular disease
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• All other cancers
• Respiratory diseases
• Spleen problems (e.g., asplenia)
• Heart disease
• Hypertension with end organ damage
• Diagnosis of mental disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Thalassemia
• Immunocompromising health conditions
• Other disabilities requiring direct support care in the community

Booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments.

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston 
• Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) - 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr., Napanee
• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Pharmacy vaccine appointments for individuals 40 years of age and older

Find a list of local pharmacies by visiting the Government of Ontario website:

Participating pharmacy clinics

Contact the pharmacy directly to book.

Appointments for Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous adults, including immediate family household members, are eligible to book a vaccine appointment. Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments.

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) - 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr., Napanee
• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Appointments for health care workers and registered essential caregivers with long term care and high-risk retirement homes

Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments.

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) - 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr., Napanee
• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Appointments for residents and frontline workers in shelters and other high-risk congregate living settings

KFL&A Public Health is working with high-risk congregate living settings to identify residents and frontline workers and communicate vaccination appointment opportunities. 

High-risk congregate living settings refer to residential facilities where a high-risk client population live or stay overnight and use shared spaces (e.g., common sleeping areas, shared bathrooms, shared kitchens, communal dining spaces), and include:

• Supportive housing
• Developmental services or intervenor including supported independent living (SIL)
• Emergency homeless shelters
• Other homeless populations not in shelters
• Mental health and addictions congregate living (e.g., supportive housing, hospital psychiatric patients)
• Homes for special care
• Employer-provided living accommodations for temporary foreign agricultural workers
• Adult correctional facilities
• Violence Against Women (VAW) shelters
• Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) residences
• Children’s residential facilities
• Youth justice facilities
• Indigenous healing and wellness
• Bail beds & Indigenous bail beds
• Provincial and demonstration schools and Consortium Centre Jules-Leger

Booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment

Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments.

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) - 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr., Napanee
• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Appointments for people who are homebound

To refer yourself, a loved one, or a patient to this program, please contact: 343-477-0172

Appointments for chronic home care recipients

Booking online using the provincial online vaccine booking tool offers the fastest access to available clinic appointments. 

Book a COVID-19 Vaccination appointment

Call 1-888-999-6488, open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. if you require assistance with booking or have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

KFL&A Public Health may also have appointments available at the following sites:

• INVISTA Centre - 1350 Gardiners Rd, Kingston
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - Kingston General Hospital entrance at 18 George St., Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) - 263 Weller Ave., Unit 4, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre (SPC) - 16 McPherson Dr., Napanee
• Memorial Centre - 303 York St., Kingston

Vaccine appointment standby list

Select a clinic location to be placed on the standby list for today. 

• INVISTA Centre – 1350 Gardiner’s Road, Kingston
• Kingston Community Health Centre – 263 Weller Avenue, Kingston
• Strathcona Paper Centre – 16 McPherson Drive, Napanee

* The standby lists are cleared at the end of each day at midnight. 

How do I change or cancel appointments?

Please cancel any appointments you no longer need, to assist with efficiency in the vaccine roll-out.

• If you scheduled an appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system and have not received your first dose, you can reschedule or cancel by following these steps:
  • If you booked online – go to the confirmation email you got when you booked and follow the instructions.
  • If you booked by phone – call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).
    • You will need your:
      • health card (information on front and back)
      • postal code

If you booked your appointment with a pharmacy or hospital, contact them directly to make any changes.

If you booked your appointment through KFL&A Public Health’s Simply Book link:

• If you booked online – go to the confirmation email you got when you booked and follow the instructions.

• If you booked by phone – call KFL&A Public Health’s Booking Centre at 343-477-0172.

What if I can not book online or have questions about booking?

If you require assistance with booking or still have a red and white health card, call the provincial customer service desk at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007); line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please do not call KFL&A Public Health’s main line to book an appointment. If you do not have a health card, phone number, or email address, please call 343-477-0172; line is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can someone book on my behalf?

• Government of Ontario green photo health card
• Birth date
• Postal code
• Email address or phone number

How can I register if I don't have a health card?

You do not need an Ontario health card to receive the vaccine.

The provincial booking tool requires the green photo health (OHIP) card as a form of authentication when booking. Both the numbers on the front and back of the card are required. An expired health card can be used to create a vaccination appointment through this online tool.

Individuals who have a red and white health card will need to call the provincial call centre to book their appointment. Call: 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007), open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you do not have a health card, you will be directed to your local public health unit to validate your identity. Once your identity and eligibility are confirmed, the public health unit will provide you with a booking ID which can then be used to book an appointment online using the provincial booking tool, or through the call centre. KFL&A residents can call 343-477-0172, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Can I choose the date and time of my appointment?

Yes. The online vaccine booking tool allows you to see all available dates and times under each clinic location. You are free to select whichever appointment fits your schedule.

Who can answer my questions about vaccine safety?

For questions on COVID-19 vaccines, call 1-888-999-6488; line is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please do not call KFL&A Public Health’s main line for information on vaccines. If you have any health concerns, it is always best to speak with your health care provider.

What to expect at the vaccine clinic?

• Screen for symptoms of COVID-19
• Arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment
• Bring your health card
• Complete consent form
• Wear a short-sleeved shirt
• Wear a face covering