COVID-19 Vaccine

Last revised: March 20, 2023

Who can receive the vaccine

All residents are encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Staying up to date is the best way to protect yourself from becoming very sick and requiring hospitalization. People six months of age and over can now receive their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their seasonal flu vaccine. Find more information on who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine below.
Primary series

People six months or older, at the time of their appointment, are currently eligible to receive a primary series.

A primary series for most healthy people is the first two doses of the vaccine given at two different times. Children six months to four years of age getting the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine require three doses to complete a primary series. The recommended spacing between doses is eight weeks (56 days).

Primary series if immunocompromised

People six months or older who have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), because of a medical condition or medication they take, are eligible to receive a three dose primary series. A third dose is added to help improve protection in people who did not develop an optimal immune response after their first two COVID-19 vaccine doses. The recommended spacing between doses is eight weeks (56 days). In some cases, the number of days between doses may be shortened as advised by your health care provider or specialist.

Only people with certain medical conditions or who are on specific medications that weaken the immune system need a three dose primary series. Please see the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for more information.

Booster dose(s)

People five years of age and older, at the time of their appointment, are eligible to receive a booster dose. A booster dose helps restore protection that may have decreased over time after receiving the primary series.

Booster eligibility for children five to 11 years of age

Children five to 11 years of age are eligible to receive a booster dose. Children must have turned five by the day they receive their vaccine. The booster dose is recommended 6 months (168 days) after the previous dose or COVID-19 infection. However, people may choose to receive a booster dose as early as three months (84 days) after their previous dose with informed consent. As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), more time between doses has shown to result in a better immune response and protection. Speak with your health care provider about what timing is best for you.

As per the NACI, only one booster dose is recommended after the primary series for children five to 11 years of age, at this time. Children who have already received a booster dose (including a monovalent booster) are expected to have good protection.

Booster eligibility for people 12 years of age and older

People 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose this 2022-23 respiratory season (after September 1, 2022), regardless of how many booster doses they have already received. The booster dose is recommended 6 months (168 days) after the previous dose or COVID-19 infection. The Ministry of Health strongly recommends the following vulnerable groups receive their COVID-19 booster as soon as possible (as early as 3-months or 84 days) if they have not received one since September 1, 2022:

  • people 65 years of age and older; 
  • residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and people living in other congregate settings that are 12 years of age and older; 
  • adults who identify as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their adult non-Indigenous household members; 
  • people 12 years of age and older with an underlying medical condition that places them at high risk of severe COVID-19 including moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals; 
  • people who are pregnant; 
  • adults in racialized and/or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19; and
  • health care workers.

All other people may choose to receive their booster dose as early as three months (84 days) after their previous dose with informed consent. As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), more time between doses has shown to result in a better immune response and protection. Speak with your health care provider about what timing is best for you.

As per NACI, people who have already received a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) this respiratory season (September 1, 2022 onward) do not require an additional booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at this time. Both the monovalent and bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will boost the immune response and are expected to provide good protection.

Novavax vaccine

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:

  • Are not able to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine due to a contraindication (for example, because of an allergy), or
  • Who choose not to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Visit our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination web page to learn more about the Novavax (Nuvaxovid) COVID-19 vaccine.

Booking an appointment

Novavax 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

People who have received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved in Canada are eligible to receive a dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine. People are also eligible to receive a booster dose 6 months (168 days) after their Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine.

People who have received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved in Canada are eligible to receive a booster dose six months (168 days) after their last dose.

Booster doses can be given as early as three months (84 days) after the last dose with informed consent. As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, more time between doses has shown to result in a better immune response and protection. Speak with your health care provider about what timing is best for you.

For more information, visit our frequently asked questions on vaccines received outside of Canada, Ontario or Ottawa, or through a federal program.

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Where to get vaccinated

Ottawa Public Health offers COVID-19 vaccination through local community clinics and neighbourhood health and wellness hubs. 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.

Book a vaccine

For booking information at all other clinics, visit our Where to get vaccinated section.

If you require disability-related accommodations, please fill out this COVID-19 Vaccine Accessibility Assessment form at least 48 hours before 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.

A number of transportation services are available to help you get to and from your appointment.

LocationDetailsHours of operation

Orleans Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA

265 Centrum Boulevard

  • Wednesday: 12:45 to 7:10 pm
  • Thursday to Saturday: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm

Note: last day of operations will be Saturday, March 25, 2023

New - Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
Clinic opens March 29, 2023

1515 Tenth Line Road

  • Wednesday: 12:45 to 7:10 pm
  • Thursday to Saturday: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm

Note: this clinic opens Wednesday, March 29, 2023

 

Century Public School

 

8 Redpine Drive

  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 12:45 to 7:10 pm
  • Thursday to Saturday: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm

Note: Thursday March 9, 2023: 1:30 to 4:10 pm

Kanata Recreation Complex

100 Charlie Rogers Place

  • Tuesday: 12:45 to 7:10 pm
  • Thursday to Saturday: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm

Note: clinic closed April 1, April 22, April 25

Tom Brown Arena

141 Bayview Road

  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 12:45 to 7:10 pm

West Carleton Community Complex

5670 Carp Road

  • Saturday, April 1, 2023: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm

Changing or cancelling a vaccine appointment

If you booked your appointment with Ottawa Public Health, WabanoAkausivika pharmacy, a hospital or at Switch Health, please contact them directly to make any changes. Ottawa Public Health can be reached at 613-691-5505.

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:

  • health card (information on front and back)
  • postal code
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.

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.

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.

LocationDetails

Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team

24 Selkirk Street, Suite 300

Hours of operation: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10:15 am to 4:30 pm

Eligibility: Inuit community members (ages six months and older) and staff from Indigenous community agencies

Access: Call 613-740-0999 to book an appointment Monday to Friday 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

 

Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health Neighbourhood Vaccination Hub

 

299 Montreal Road

 

Hours of operation: Thursday 10 am to 4 pm

Eligibility: First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members and their non-Indigenous household members

Access: No appointment necessary, but you may wish to secure a time slot by pre-booking.

Proof of vaccination

People who were vaccinated at Akausivik received a paper receipt. Paper receipts are valid proof of vaccination, but if you travel, you may be asked for an electronic vaccine certificate. Akausivik is reaching out to all of their clients to provide updated information about COVax and assist those who want to be recorded in COVax to get a QR code. To get a COVax receipt, please contact Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team at 613-740-0999, by email generalinfo@aifht.ca or visit their website for more information

Changing or cancelling a vaccine appointment

If you booked your appointment with Ottawa Public Health, WabanoAkausivik, a pharmacy, a hospital or at Switch Health, please contact them directly to make any changes. Ottawa Public Health can be reached at 613-691-5505.

Kids Come First Health Team vaccination clinics

The Kids Come First Health Team holds COVID-19 vaccination clinics at CHEO for children six months to 17 years old who cannot attend a community vaccination clinic. Reasons a child may have difficulty receiving their vaccination in the community include:

  • being immunocompromised
  • having medical complexities or technology dependency that make it difficult to attend a clinic in the community (e.g. tracheostomy, ventilator, uncontrolled seizure disorder)
  • having a condition that makes it challenging to be in crowded spaces (e.g. anxiety, autism)
  • other medical reasons that are not listed above, but make it challenging for the child to be vaccinated in the community

The clinic is open to children and their household members.

If your child meets the criteria above, you can pre-register to receive your COVID-19 vaccine at a Kids Come First vaccination clinic. Please note that pre-registration does not mean you are booking an appointment.

For more information visit the Kids Come First Health Team vaccination clinics web page.

Switch Health clinics

Two Switch Health Bio-Test Laboratory clinics in Ottawa offer COVID-19 vaccine boosters for people 18 years of age and older, by appointment only. For more information and to book an appointment visit the Switch Health website. Please enter “Ottawa” in the search bar to access these clinics and book an appointment.

  • Bells Corners
    • Bio-Test Laboratory
    • 2006 Robertson Road
  • Smyth Medical Centre
    • Bio-Test Laboratory
    • 1929 Russell Road, Suite 102

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Have a question?

For frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination in children: visit our COVID-19 vaccination and children webpage

For other frequently asked questions: visit our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination webpage

More information

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