When can I get the vaccine?
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Anyone five years of age or older is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You can get it at one of our upcoming vaccine clinics, or by appointment at a participating pharmacy or doctor's office.
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Which vaccine will I receive? Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Novavax?
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- Currently, clinics in our region are offering Pfizer and Moderna. It is likely you will not know which one you are receiving until you arrive at your appointment.
- AstraZeneca is available at certain pharmacies in the Health Unit District. To book an appointment for the AstraZeneca vaccine, contact the pharmacy directly.
- As all approved COVID-19 vaccines are similar, we encourage you to take the first vaccine available to you.
- Upon request, or if you have an allergy to mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer or Moderna), you can get Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) or Novavax. You must have informed consent and request this vaccine by calling us at 1-844-478-1400.
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Do my first, second, third and/or fourth dose need to be the same brand?
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No. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has confirmed that getting a different brand of COVID-19 vaccine for your first and second dose is safe and is effective at protecting you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and variants.
Individuals five to 11 years age should receive the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for their full series of doses.
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How long do I need to wait before getting my second dose?
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If your first dose was Moderna, you are eligible get your second dose 28 days after your first. If your first dose was Pfizer, you are eligible to get your second dose 21 days after your first dose. However, recent studies have shown that waiting eight weeks between doses (regardless of brand) may provide the strongest immunity.
Although we recommend eight weeks between first and second doses for all age groups, five to 11 year olds may receive their second dose as early as three weeks after their first.
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I’m considered a Highest Risk individual. Can I get my second dose sooner?
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Everyone is able to receive their second dose 21 days after a first dose of Pfizer, or 28 days after a first dose of Moderna. Highest Risk individuals (organ or stem cell transplant recipients, blood bone or lymph cancers on chemotherapy, targeted therapies orimmunotherapy) are not eligible to receive a second dose earlier than this time frame.
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Who is eligible for a third dose, and how long should they wait after their second dose?
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Individuals age 12 and older are eligible for a third dose. 12 to 17-year-olds should wait 168 days between their second and third dose. Indiviudals 18 and older can get their third dose 84 days after their second dose.
You must be at least 18 at the time of your third dose appointment.
Exceptions:
The recommended time between second and third doses for moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals and individuals receiving dialysis (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) is 56 days. In some situations, the interval may be determined by their health care provider. Immunocompromised individuals under 16 can receive a third dose with a written letter from their health care provider.
Health care workers, First Nations, Indigenous and Metis individuals are eligible to receive their third dose at age 16.
Use the Huron Perth Public Health Dose Calculator to find out what date you will be able to get your third dose.
Learn more about third dose eligibility and recommendations.
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Who is eligible for a fourth dose, and how long should they wait after their third dose?
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All individuals 18 and older are eligible for their fourth dose (second booster) as of July 14. Second booster doses are being offered at an interval of five months after an individual receives their first booster dose.
High-risk individuals who should get their second booster (fourth dose) as soon as possible and many of whom have been eligible to do so for months include:
- Individuals aged 60 and over;
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
- Residents of a long-term care home, retirement home, or Elder Care Lodge and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services; and
- Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
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I'm Indigenous. How can I get vaccinated?
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To learn more about Indigenous eligibility and when and where you can be vaccinated, contact:
- For North Bay and area – the Health Unit: 1-844-478-1400.
- For Mattawa and area – the Mattawa Hospital: 705-744-5511 ext. 2230
- For Parry Sound and area – the Parry Sound Friendship Centre: 705-746-5970
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I’m pregnant. Should I get the vaccine?
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Yes. It's recommended that all pregnant individuals, at any stage in pregnancy, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Unvaccinated pregnant individuals are at higher risk for hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and death compared to non-pregnant individuals. COVID-19 infections during pregnancy can be very serious, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Learn more.
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Should I get the vaccine if I'm breastfeeding?
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Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is safe, effective and recommended for individuals who are breastfeeding. The mRNA from vaccines doesn’t transfer in breast milk, but vaccinated breastfeeding individuals produce antibodies which fight the virus that causes COVID-19. These antibodies do transfer in the breast milk and provide protection to the infant. Read more.
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Is the vaccine mandatory?
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Some places, such as hospitals, home and community sevice providers and non-essential services will require employees, contactors, students and volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination against COVID-19 is also a common requirement for international travel. Whether you're planning a trip down the street or abroad, check with your destination to learn whether vaccine mandates are in place and what options they may offer if you are not vaccinated.
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Can I just get one dose?
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For most individuals, two doses are recommended for maximum protection.
Upon request, or if you have an allergy to mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer or Moderna), you can get Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). You must have informed consent and request this vaccine by calling us at 1-844-478-1400. Only one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is needed to be considered fully vaccinated, although a booster shot is recommended after 84 days.
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How long does it take after I’m vaccinated before I am protected against COVID-19?
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Studies have shown that the vaccine starts to take effect approximately 14 days after the first dose, and provides even more protection seven to 14 days after the second dose. Here is a summary of estimated vaccine efficacy for vaccines currently being used in our district:
Vaccine | Efficacy 14 days after dose 1 and before dose 2 (95% CI) | Efficacy >7-14 days after dose 2 (95% CI) |
Pfizer |
Estimated 93% (69-98%) |
95% (90-98%) |
Moderna |
92% (69-99%) |
94% (89-97%) |
AstraZeneca |
76% (59-86%)* |
67% (57-74%) |
CI=confidence interval
*from day 22 up to day 90 after dose 1
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Will people need to get the vaccine every year?
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We do not know at this point if the vaccine will need to be given every year or not. |
If I tested positive for COVID-19 in the past, should I still get the vaccine?
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Yes. You will have some immunity from your infection, but it is not known how long it will last. There are cases where people have gotten COVID-19 again before they could get vaccinated.
You should not get the vaccine if you're sick or have COVID-19 right now. Wait until you're better to get the vaccine.
If you're 12 or older, and get COVID-19 after your primary series but before your booster dose, it's recommended you receive your booster dose three months after symptom onset or positive test result (if you're symptom-free.)
Evidence shows that a longer time between COVID-19 infection and vaccination is associated with improved antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines.
With informed consent, you can receive a booster dose once you no longer have symptoms and have completed your isolation.
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I just got vaccinated for something else. Can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine now?
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You no longer need to wait 14 days between your COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine. |
If I had a reaction to a different vaccine in the past, can I still get the COVID-19 vaccine?
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If you had an allergic reaction within 4 hours and/or anaphylaxis that happened with a vaccine or injectable medication that does not contain a component or cross-reacting component of the COVID-19 vaccines, you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine as long as you are observed for at least 30 minutes immediately afterwards.
If you're unsure, check with your doctor or health care provider. They will look at your medical records and help you make the decision.
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Is it acceptable for someone with food or seasonal allergies to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
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Yes. People with a history of significant allergic reactions and/or anaphylaxis to any food, drug, venom, latex or other allergens not related to the COVID-19 vaccine can get the COVID-19 vaccine followed by observation for at least 15 minutes.
Anyone with allergy issues like allergic rhinitis, asthma and eczema can also receive the vaccine followed by observation for a minimum of 15 minutes.
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I had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Should I get my next dose?
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- If you had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of its components, you should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a general vaccine clinic. An urgent referral to an allergist/immunologist is recommended to assess the method for possible (re)administration of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- If you had an allergic reaction within 4 hours of receiving a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components, do not receive a COVID-19 vaccine without first being evaluated by an allergist/immunologist to confirm you can safely receive the vaccine.
Documentation of the discussion with the allergist/immunologist must be provided to the clinic and include:
- a vaccination care plan
- details/severity of the previous allergic episode(s)
- confirmation that appropriate counselling on the safe administration of vaccine was provided
- date, the clinician’s name, signature and contact information
- the patient’s name and date of birth
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