COVID-19 Vaccine

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.

• Previously vaccinated for those 5 years and older:
  • Anyone having received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
• Previously vaccinated for those 6 months to 4 years:
  • Anyone having received either 2 doses of a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or 3 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine prior.
• For those 6 months to under 5 years of age who have started but not completed a COVID-19 vaccine series:
  • Their COVID-19 vaccines series can be completed with the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • These children should wait 8 weeks (56 days) after COVID-19 infection symptom onset or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced) before their COVID-19 dose.

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).

• Vaccinated in the past:
  • Get a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine if it has been six months since your previous COVID-19 dose or infection (which-ever is later).

 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.

• Not vaccinated in the past or who have been recommended by their health care provider to restart the vaccination series.
  • 6 months to 4 years old: get 3 to 4 doses (product specific) of the updated COVID-19 vaccine eight weeks apart; if they have had a recent COVID-19 infection they should wait 4 to 8 weeks (28 to 56 days) after symptom onset or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced) before their COVID-19 doses.
  • 5 years and older: get 1 dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine; if they have had a recent COVID-19 infection they should wait 4 to 8 weeks (28 to 56 days after symptom onset or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced) before their COVID-19 dose. 

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).

• 6 months to 4 years old – get 2 to 3 doses (product specific) of the updated COVID-19 vaccines; eight weeks apart
• 5 years and older – get one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

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

• 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.

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

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 appointment

If 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:

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

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.

Pop-up Clinics

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.
Vaccines will be offered on a walk-in basis only; no appointments needed.

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.

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 appointment

If you booked your appointment with Wabano, Akausivik, a pharmacy, a hospital or at Switch Health, please contact them directly to make any changes.