Booster doses (ages five and over)
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- A booster dose is any dose given after the primary series to boost the immune system. Protection after a primary series may decrease over time.
The province of Ontario recommends that everyone ages five and older get one mRNA COVID-19 booster on or after September 1, 2022:
- six months after a their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or after having COVID-19. Three months may be considered based on age, risk and health status.
- As of March 3, 2023, NACI recommends an additional COVID-19 bivalent booster in the spring of 2023 for people who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The province of Ontario will provide further eligibility details soon.
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Primary series (ages five and over)
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- A primary series is the initial doses that prime the immune system. A primary series of COVID-19 vaccine is two doses for those ages five and over.
- The recommended wait time between your first and second dose is two months (56 days). This is to allow for a stronger and longer lasting immune response. You must wait a minimum of 28 days after your first dose.
- If you recently had COVID-19, we recommend that you wait two months after you first got your symptoms or after a positive test. (For those with MIS-C, please refer to Ontario guidance)
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Primary series (ages six months to under five years)
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- A primary series is the initial doses that prime the immune system. Infants and children in this age group can receive either two doses of Moderna or three doses of Pfizer to complete their primary series.
- Due to the different number of doses between products, those in this age group are recommended to receive the same vaccine product for all doses in their primary series.
- The recommended time between doses is two months (56 days). If receiving Moderna, the infant or child must wait a minimum of 28 days after their first dose. If receiving Pfizer, the infant or child must wait a minimum of 21 days after their first dose to receive their second, and 56 days after their second dose to receive their third.
- If they recently had COVID-19, we recommend that they wait two months after first getting symptoms or after a positive test. (For those with MIS-C, please refer to Ontario guidance)
- Those in this age group are not currently eligible for a booster dose. A booster dose is any dose given after the primary series to boost the immune system. Protection after a primary series may decrease over time.
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Primary series if immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system)
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- For a list of those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, see "Who is considered immunocompromised"
- We advise that you speak to your health care provider prior to attending the clinic to talk about optimal timing to receive your vaccine.
- A primary series is the initial doses that prime the immune system. Certain immunocompromised people may develop a sub-optimal immune response to the standard primary series.
- For this reason, one additional dose is recommended to complete the primary series.
- For those five years and over, this would mean three doses of an mRNA vaccine at a recommended interval of two months (56 days) between doses. You must wait a minimum of 28 days between doses.
- For those six months to less than five years, this would mean three doses of Moderna or 4 doses of Pfizer. Due to the feasability of completing the primary series, the province of Ontario recommends the use of Moderna for those who are immunocompromised in this age group.
- If you recently had COVID-19, we recommend that you wait one to two months (28 days to 56 days) after you first got symptoms or after a positive test. (For those with MIS-C, please refer to Ontario guidance)
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Reporting a COVID-19 vaccine dose if received outside of Ontario or Canada
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If you are a resident of KFL&A, you can report your COVID-19 immunization through our online form.
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Receiving other vaccines before and after COVID-19 vaccine
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- Anyone six months and older may receive a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day, or at any time before or after non-COVID-19 vaccines (including live and non-live vaccines).
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