COVID-19 Vaccines

How do I get a copy of my vaccine receipt?

Receipt of vaccines can be downloaded and printed from the province of Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine portal.

How does someone prove they are fully vaccinated if documents are from out of province or out of country?

Individuals from outside the province or the country will be required to show they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and identification to enter specified settings.

Proof of vaccination from outside of Ontario will be accepted if the person’s name and date of birth on their identification document matches the vaccination receipt with name and date of birth and if the person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as specified by O. Reg. 364/20.

Individuals visiting from outside the province or the country will be required to show their full vaccination status and identification to enter the specified settings referenced in O. Reg. 364/20. This may require showing one or more pieces of information. Ontario residents who received their first dose or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside Ontario or Canada can register their vaccination records through their local public health unit.

If the vaccination receipt or proof of identity from out of country is in a language that the business or organization cannot use to verify the documents, the business or organization may request a translated copy in addition to the original receipt.

Ontario residents who received both appropriate doses of a Health Canada-authorized COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario will be able to obtain a vaccination receipt through the COVID-19 vaccine portal, once their vaccination information is successfully registered.

Information on non-Health Canada approved vaccines that can be found here.

How do I report COVID-19 Immunizations received outside of Ontario or Canada?

If you received your COVID-19 immunizations outside of Ontario or Canada, please submit a record of your immunization to KFL&A Public Health.

If you received your first dose outside Ontario or Canada, you must report your immunization before booking your second dose.  

Do I need to bring both receipts or just my second dose receipt to show proof of vaccination?

A patron seeking access to a business or organization specified in the regulation must provide a receipt that shows that they are fully vaccinated. The receipt for your second dose identifies that you have received both doses.

I’m not comfortable showing all my personal information on my receipt. Am I able to block certain information out?

Altering the appearance of the receipt you receive as proof of vaccination in any way is not permitted and could render the receipt invalid.

Will those who carry medical exemptions need to show proof of negative COVID-19 test?

Individuals with medical exemptions will not be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

O. Reg. 364/20 and the Ministry’s Guidance do not prevent the specified businesses or organizations from establishing additional policies or requirements pertaining to their patrons. This could include businesses or organizations that want to require individuals with medical exemptions to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

What is acceptable proof of medical exemption? What about after the app is developed?

Patrons with a medical exemption must provide a written document, completed and supplied by a physician (designated as “MD”) or by a registered nurse in the extended class (designated as “Registered Nurse (Extended Class)”, “RN(EC)”, “Nurse Practitioner” or “NP”) stating that the individual is exempt for a medical reason from being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the effective time-period for the medical reason. The patron must also provide identification.

The physician or registered nurse in the extended class must ensure the medical exemption aligns with definition(s) and parameters outlined in the Ministry’s Guidance.

Ontario is working to develop a way for legitimate medical exemptions from COVID-19 vaccinations to be built into the QR code the verification application will read so people do not have to display their exemption form and businesses do not have to verify those forms.

Do minors between the ages of 12-17 need to provide identification as they may not have identification to verify their identity?

If somebody is required to be fully vaccinated, they must prove both vaccination status and identity.

The identification requirements are flexible, and identification is required to confirm only name of the person and date of birth – government identification can be used for this purpose; however, is not the only type of ID accepted. Proof of identity can be established using documentation issued by an institution or public body, provided it includes the name of the holder and date of birth. Identification that young people may have access to that include name and date of birth could include birth certificate, or a passport, among other forms of ID.
However, there is an exemption from this requirement if the patron is under 18 years of age and is entering the indoor premises of a facility used for sports and recreational fitness activities solely for the purpose of actively participating in an organized sport, as further described with the Ministry’s Guidance.

How can employers support vaccination efforts?

This new toolkit provides employers with key considerations to support the development and implementation of their own workplace vaccination policies. Businesses and workplaces are encouraged to use this toolkit and policy example as they develop their own policies. Please note the information provided in this guide does not contain legal advice and should not be relied on or treated as legal advice. 

Who is eligible to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine?

As an additional measure to continue protecting Ontario’s most vulnerable, based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the province will begin offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those at highest-risk, providing them with an extra layer of protection against the Delta variant. This includes:

• Transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants)
• Patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy)
• Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab)
• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges
• Those undergoing active treatment for solid tumors
• Those who are in receipt of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell
• Those with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Those with Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Those undergoing active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22), high-dose systemic corticosteroids (refer to the CIG for suggested definition of high dose steroids), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.

Please check with your health care provider for more information.

What are the recommendations for youth?

Youth born in 2009 or earlier are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Currently this is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada for youth in this age category. Youth must be 12 years of age before the end of 2021. 

Ontario pediatricians answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

Will the vaccine change my child's genetics or cause infertility?

No. The vaccine does not alter genetics or hormones. The active ingredient in the vaccine is called mRNA. It gets broken down very quickly after it is injected and cannot reach the area where your child’s genetics are stored. The COVID-19 vaccines can not affect puberty, the ability to have children, or your child’s hormones as it is not involved in those body systems.

Can my child get the vaccine if they are on medication?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine does not interfere with other medications your child may be taking.
Prescribed or over the counter medications will also not affect how the vaccine works. Talk to your child's pediatrician or family doctor if you have more questions.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine work with the regular vaccinations?

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine doesn't appear to affect other vaccines and vice versa. Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that the timing of the COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine is:

1. Wait 14 days after another vaccine before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
2. Wait 28 days after the COVID-19 vaccine before getting another vaccine.

Do kids really need the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes. Kids need the COVID-19 vaccine.
Everyone needs the vaccine!
Children can catch and spread COVID-19.
Children may not get as sick as adults but they can have symptoms for weeks. The vaccine is our best path back to regular routines.

Can my child with allergies get the vaccine?

Yes. 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, this should be discussed with your child's pediatrician or family doctor before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Will the vaccine lead to blood clots?

No. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine approved for children causes blood clots.

My child has other medical issues, is it safe for them to be vaccinated?

Yes. Children with other medical conditions such as Autism, ADHD, heart or kidney problems, or any other conditions can safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are concerned about a specific medical condition, be sure to speak with your child's pediatrician or family doctor.

Should I be worried that the vaccine was developed so quickly?

No. All testing and approval processes were followed for the COVID-19 vaccines. Many resources were made available to develop the COVID-19 vaccines so quickly because of how many people developed the disease around the world. The technologies behind the COVID-19 vaccines were built on decades of research and experience. No steps were skipped in the development, testing or approval processes. 

*Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe For Kids, developed by the Pediatrics Section, OMA COVID-19 Working Group

Does my child require parent or guardian consent to receive their vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccines are only provided if informed consent is received from the person, as long as the child has the capability to make this decision. This means the young person understands the treatment, why it is being recommended, and the risks and benefits if they accept or refuse to be vaccinated. If the individual is incapable of consenting to receiving the vaccine, they would need consent from their substitute decision-maker, such as their parent or legal guardian.

The health care provider and family must respect a young person’s decision to be vaccinated. Ideally, this decision should be discussed in advance with a trusted adult or guardian to ensure that they understand what they are consenting to. When a young person receives their vaccine, the person giving them their shot will check that they understand the nature of the treatment and its risks and benefits.

Allowing access to vaccines in a timely manner and at convenient locations, without requiring parental consent, will improve the health of students and communities and are consistent with practices before COVID-19. Parents are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their children prior to attending a clinic.

How do I cancel an appointment? 

• If you booked your appointment through KFL&A Public Health’s Simply Book link:
  • If you booked online – go to the confirmation email you received when you booked and follow the instructions.
  • If you booked by phone – call KFL&A Public Health’s Booking Centre at 343-477-0172.
• If you booked your appointment with a pharmacy or hospital, contact them directly to make any changes.
• If you scheduled an appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system, 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

How do I book an appointment if I don't have an Ontario 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. 

Why should I get vaccinated if many people survive COVID-19? 

COVID-19 can be a serious illness for many people. For some people, symptoms can last for months. Those people are called long haulers. The virus can even damage the heart, brain, lungs and increase the risk of long-term health problems. Even young, healthy people can feel unwell for weeks to months following the COVID-19 infection.

The short-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are less than the risk and potential long-term health damages caused by the COVID-19 virus.

By getting your vaccine, you are also contributing to community immunity. When most of the population is vaccinated, it helps to prevent the spread of illness to those who are too young, or unable to receive the vaccine or who don’t develop full immunity. When illnesses are very contagious, the number of people in a population required to be vaccinated to reach community immunity is higher.

Is the vaccine safe?  

Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. 

Creating a new vaccine can take years. However, the development of vaccines for COVID-19 is progressing quickly for many reasons, including:

• advances in science and technology
• international collaboration among scientists, health professionals, researchers, industry and governments
• increased dedicated funding

Only vaccines that are proven safe, effective, and of high quality will be approved for use in Canada.

Are there precautions with the COVID-19 vaccines for individuals with allergies? 

The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain eggs, gelatin, preservatives or antibiotics.

People with allergies to any vaccine ingredients listed below should not take this vaccine.

Individuals who have had a suspected hypersensitivity or have had an immediate allergic reaction to the following should not get either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine unless they have been evaluated by an allergist-immunologist:

• a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
• any components of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine including polyethylene glycol (PEG)
  • This ingredient is in both vaccines
  • It can also be found in laxatives, makeup, skin care products, personal lubricants, toothpastes, and some contact lenses. It is also in cough syrup, and in some food and drinks.
• polysorbate due to potential cross-reactive hypersensitivity with the vaccine ingredient PEG

If you are unsure of the ingredients you are allergic to, talk to a health care provider.

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Ingredients:

• mRNA (medicinal ingredient)
• ALC-0315 = (4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate)
• ALC-0159 = 2-[(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N, N-ditetradecylacetamide
• 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
• dibasic sodium phosphate dehydrate
• monobasic potassium phosphate

Moderna Vaccine Ingredients:

• mRNA (medicinal ingredient)
• 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)
• acetic acid, cholesterol, lipid SM-102
• PEG2000DMG1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol,methoxy-polyethyleneglycol
• tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride
• sodium acetate, sucrose, and water for injection

What are Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and how do I find out more about them? 

An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is an unwanted or unexpected change in health that happens after someone receives a vaccine, which may or may not be caused by the vaccine. Adverse events are rare and typically non-serious, however, unusual or severe reactions and may require immediate medical attention. If you experience an adverse event, contact your health care provider. Health care professionals are required to report these adverse events to public health. Public health investigates AEFIs and provide support to individuals, families, and clinic staff.

Health Canada publishes AEFI data related to the approved COVID-19 vaccines.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is responsible for a no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program, offering financial support to those have who have experience serious permanent injury after receiving an authorized vaccine.

If I had a reaction to a different vaccine in the past, can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines? 

These are common side effects of vaccines and do not pose a risk to health.

As with all vaccines, there's a chance that there will be a serious side effect such as an allergic reaction, but these are rare. 

Report to your health care provider if you have any unusual symptoms after receiving the vaccine. Unusual symptoms may include:

• A high fever (greater than 40°C).
• An allergic reaction (rash, hives, itching, throat swelling, difficulty swallowing/breathing).
• Severe vomiting, diarrhea and/or headache.
• Reactions that are severe or require visit to a doctor or hospitalization.
• Reactions that do not go away after a few days.

COVID-19 vaccine after care information sheets

• COVID-19 Vaccine After Care - Pfizer and Moderna - KFL&A Public Health

If I get the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still have to follow public health measures?

The vaccine is an additional way to protect yourself against COVID-19. However after either dose of the COVID-19 vaccine you should continue to follow public health measures like wearing a face covering, physical distancing, and washing hands often. Continue to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if symptoms develop. 

More research is being done to determine how long the vaccine protection lasts, and if it will prevent others around you from getting sick with COVID-19. 

Should I get the vaccine if I have previously had COVID-19? 

I just got vaccinated for something else. Can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine now?

After receiving your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive any other vaccines for 28 days. If for some reason you need another vaccine within 28 days, discuss this with your doctor or health care provider. 

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or chestfeeding

Pregnant and breastfeeding or chestfeeding individuals were excluded from the Phase III trials for mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently available. Due to this, there is no data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in lactating individuals, or the effects of mRNA vaccines on the breastfed/chestfed infant or milk production.

Pregnancy

Individuals who are pregnant may choose to receive the vaccine after informed counselling by their healthcare provider.

• During this counselling, your healthcare provider can discuss:
  • the risks and benefits of the vaccine
  • risks and potential consequences of a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy
  • the lack of sufficient evidence on the use of current COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy
• If after this counselling, the pregnant individual feels that the potential benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential harms, they may take the vaccine.

Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines. Based on their mechanism of action and what we know about other vaccines and breastfeeding or chestfeeding, it is not believed that that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are a risk to the breastfeeding infant.

Individuals who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding may take the vaccine after recognizing that there is currently insufficient evidence for the use of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the breastfeeding and chestfeeding population.

Resources

• I am pregnant or breastfeeding. Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine? (PDF) - Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health

If I develop COVID-19 symptoms after getting the vaccine, what should I do?

Some of the side effects of the vaccines are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. These include: tiredness, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, and fever.

• MnRA side effects may also include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
• AstraZeneca or COVISHIELD side effects may also include nausea and vomiting and itchiness or hardened skin at the injection site. 

If your symptoms are severe or unusual, contact your health care provider or call 911 if seriously unwell.

If your symptoms started more than three days after you were vaccinated, or your symptoms have lasted for more than two days, then you should get tested for COVID-19. You may have been exposed to COVID-19 before you were vaccinated. The vaccine cannot infect you with COVID-19.