COVID-19 Vaccine

 Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine

From now until October 28th doses are prioritized for high-risk and priority populations:

  • adults 65 years of age or older
  • individuals 6 months of age and older who are/have:
    • residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
    • pregnant
    • in or from First Nations, Métis or Inuit communities
    • members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities
    • those who have underlying medical conditions that places them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs

To optimize co-administration with flu vaccine these groups should also be prioritized to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as vaccine becomes available this fall:

  • children 6 months to 4 years of age
  • health care workers
  • first responders
  • individuals with significant exposure to birds and mammals (such as poultry, livestock, slaughterhouse and processing plant workers, wildlife officers/researchers, and veterinarians)

Starting October 28th anyone 6 months and older can access the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario.
Where to get vaccinated against COVID-19

There are many options for getting your updated COVID-19 vaccine: 

Pharmacies

  • Many local pharmacies have received the updated vaccine from the Ministry of Health and are offering them to eligible individuals in Ottawa.
  • Visit the Ministry of Health’s website to locate a pharmacy near you including hours of operation, address, contact information and details on how to book an appointment.

Participating community health care providers

  • Check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the vaccines. 

Provincial Online Vaccine Booking System

Book a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Changing or cancelling a vaccine appointment : 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).
  • Those booking an appointment on or after October 21st will be able to get their flu vaccine at the same time; two separate appointment times are not required.

Ottawa Public Health Community Vaccination Clinics

Ottawa Public Health community vaccination clinics offer publicly-funded vaccinations for residents. The clinics are currently offering the following vaccines to eligible residents. 

Starting October 15 2024 , OPH will offer COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk individuals facing barriers to access, including newcomers without OHIP and children under 2 (along with their household member).

Other eligible high-risk individuals may be able to access the vaccine, as capacity allows, in this setting. 

Confirm Eligibility and Book COVID-19 Vaccine 

Starting October 21 2024, OPH will offer flu vaccines at our clinics for children aged 6 months to under 2 years and their household members and high-risk individuals facing significant barriers to access such as newcomers without OHIP and children 2 to 5 who have tried to access through another provider.

Confirm Eligibility and Book Flu Vaccine 

Hours of Operation (only on dates specified)

  • Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 12:45 to 7:10 pm (closed between 3:45 and 4:45 pm)
  • Thursdays: 9:45 am to 4:10 pm (closed between 12:45 and 1:45 pm)
  • Clinic closed on all statutory holidays

Location

  • 2051 Bel-Air Drive, Ottawa

Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs

Starting October 15th Ottawa Public Health will offer COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk individuals facing barriers to access, including newcomers without OHIP and children under 2 (along with their household members). Other eligible residents may be able to access the vaccine, as capacity allows, in these settings.

Visit our Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs page for information on hub locations, hours and vaccine availability.
What COVID-19 vaccines are available

All COVID-19 vaccines available this fall protect against the KP.2 variant. Ontario will have two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines available, Moderna and Pfizer products. Moderna will be the vaccine available for children 6 months to 11 years of age. The availability of these vaccines will vary by provider and may not be available at the same time. As age appropriate, they are both recommended for COVID-19 protection this fall. 

How many doses of vaccine are recommended?

The Ministry Health in Ontario provides recommendations on vaccine scheduling, visit their website for information on how many doses are recommended and when to receive vaccines.

Any of the available updated COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as routine and other seasonal immunizations including flu and RSV immunizations.

Novavax vaccine

The non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Novavax (Nuvaxovid) is not currently available in Ontario. At this time, there are no plans for Novavax vaccines to be made available in Canada for this fall. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Individuals who are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine, should speak with their health care provider about treatment options, including the use of Paxlovid, to reduce the duration and severity of illness.

Can I get vaccinated for COVID-19 even if I have had COVID-19?

Even if you’ve previously had COVID-19, getting vaccinated is important to guard against reinfection and severe illness. Although natural infection offers some immunity, receiving the vaccine at the recommended times helps further improve your immune response.

If you have either received a positive COVID-19 test or were symptomatic after having close contact with a person with tested test positive visit the Ministry of Health’s website for information on timing of vaccination.

Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or other infections, without a confirmed diagnosis, should ensure they have no fever, symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea were present)  and there has not been any new symptoms started before receiving vaccination.

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