⚠ It is important to protect yourself against COVID-19, especially for older adults. Many pharmacies now have walk-in options and appointments available to receive your COVID-19 vaccine.
Last revised: December 6, 2023
Who can receive the vaccine
Vaccinated in the past for COVID-19 |
A dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation (XBB. 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine) is recommended this fall for everyone 6 months of age and older if it has been 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or known COVID-19 infection. Getting a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine is very important for people who are at risk of getting very sick from the COVID-19 virus such as people 65 years and older, people who are pregnant and people living in long-term care homes, retirement homes, for example.
For certain people with weakened immune systems, talk with your health care provider about your risks and benefits of getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine at a shorter interval between 3 to 6 months. While it is recommended to receive a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, people may choose to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was approved last fall. People who choose to receive a dose of one of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines approved last fall should speak with their health care provider about what is best for them. Note: The XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are available in all OPH clinics that provide COVID-19 vaccines. The bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is only available at certain OPH clinics for individuals 5 years and older who choose not to receive the updated XBB.1.5-containing formulation. |
Vaccinated if immunocompromised |
People 6 months or older who have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), because of a medical condition or medication they take, are strongly recommended to receive a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation for the fall (XBB. 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine).
A shorter interval (three to six months) may be considered based on age and risk. Talk to your health care provider about the best option for you.
It is important to speak with your health care provider about the timing for you to have the best possible immune response from the vaccine and minimize delays in your treatment. Let the provider giving you the COVID-19 immunization know that you are immunocompromised. |
Not vaccinated in the past |
People 6 months and older who have not been previously vaccinated are recommended to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine formulation (XBB. 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine) this fall for protection against COVID-19 infection if it has been 8 weeks (56 days) since their last COVID-19 infection symptom onset or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced).
While it is recommended to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine, people may choose to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was approved last fall. People who choose to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines approved last fall should speak with their health care provider about what is best for them. Note: The XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are available in all OPH clinics that provide COVID-19 vaccines. The bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is only available at certain OPH clinics for individuals 5 years and older who choose not to receive the updated XBB.1.5-containing formulation. |
Bivalent mRNA Vaccine |
While it is recommended to receive the updated XBB.1.5-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, people may choose to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that was approved last fall. People who choose to receive the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine approved last fall should speak with their health care provider about what is best for them. The bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is only available at the Greenboro Library Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hub for individuals 5 years and older who choose not to receive the updated XBB.1.5-containing formulation. The Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine is the only bivalent vaccine available in our clinics. Be sure to check the Greenboro schedule on the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs website for clinic hours and location in advance of your visit. |
Novavax vaccine |
We are currently updating our website to reflect the latest information on the XBB Novavax Vaccines
The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines remain the recommended vaccines because of the protection they provide and well-known safety profiles. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be given to people 12 years of age and older older as part of their primary series and to people 18 years of age and older as a booster dose who:
Booking an appointmentNovavax appointments can only be booked through the Ottawa Public Health booking page. Use this online form to register for Novavax COVID-19 vaccination. For booking information at all other clinics, visit our Where to get vaccinated section. |
Vaccine(s) received outside of Ontario |
Everyone 6 months and older, who have been vaccinated with one or more non-Health Canada approved vaccine(s), are recommended to get a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 6 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine or infection. For more information, visit our frequently asked questions on vaccines received outside of Canada, Ontario or Ottawa, or through a federal program. More information is also available in the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance. |
Where to get vaccinated
Ottawa Public Health offers COVID-19 vaccination through local community clinics, neighbourhood health and wellness hubs and pop-up clinics. Please note that masks are required at all Ottawa Public Health vaccination clinics. Find below, more information about each type of Ottawa Public Health clinic.
Community clinics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COVID-19 vaccination is available at community clinics for eligible clients six months and older. Residents are encouraged to book an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted as capacity allows. You can use the online provincial booking system or call the Provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) to schedule an appointment at your local community clinic. The vaccination clinic locations in Ottawa were selected with accessibility being the main consideration. If you require disability-related accommodations, please fill out this COVID-19 Vaccine Accessibility Assessment form at least 48 hours before your appointment (please indicate the time and date of your appointment). With less than 48 hours, Ottawa Public Health will strive to meet all accommodation needs, however, may not be able meet all requirements. Should you need assistance in completing the accommodation request form, please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505.
Changing or cancelling a vaccine appointmentIf you booked your appointment with Wabano, Akausivik, a pharmacy, a hospital or at Switch Health, please contact them directly to make any changes. If you booked an appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system, you can reschedule or cancel it online or by calling 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). You will need your:
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Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In collaboration with city and community partners, Ottawa Public Health offers free drop-in services to all residents of Ottawa at our accessible Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. COVID-19 vaccination is available at select locations. Come speak to Ottawa Public Health and City of Ottawa staff. View the locations and hours of the Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs. |
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Pop-up Clinics |
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Ottawa Public Health is offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines at pop-up clinics in some rural areas and at select after school clinics across Ottawa.
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Other places in Ottawa offer COVID-19 vaccination such as select pharmacies, First Nations, Inuit and Métis clinics, the Kids Come First Health Team vaccination clinics, and Switch Health clinics. Find below, more information about other places that offer COVID-19 vaccination.
Select Pharmacies | ||||||
Select pharmacy locations offer COVID-19 vaccination. Pharmacy locations are separate from Ottawa Public Health’s vaccination roll-out. You can find a list of all pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccines, including which vaccines are offered, hours, locations and how to book an appointment online. |
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First Nations, Inuit and Métis clinics | ||||||
The Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team and Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health offer COVID-19 vaccination. Please see the table below for location, hours, eligibility and booking information.
Changing or cancelling a vaccine appointmentIf you booked your appointment with Wabano, Akausivik, a pharmacy, a hospital or at Switch Health, please contact them directly to make any changes. |
Have a question?
For frequently asked questions: visit our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination webpage
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