Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination

• Children five to 11 years are currently eligible to receive a single booster dose of monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech (10 mcg).

  Children aged 12 years and older are eligible to receive a bivalent booster. The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech (30mcg) booster dose is the only authorized bivalent dose for those 12 to 17 years old.

• An mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, such as Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty or Moderna’s Spikevax, can be used for boosters in individuals who are eligible. This is the recommendation whether you received AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Janssen or an mRNA vaccine previously. The Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine is preferentially recommended as a booster dose in individuals five to 17 years of age.
• While OPH offers both mRNA vaccines in its community clinics, several factors are considered when deciding what brand you will receive. You may not get to choose which mRNA brand you receive based clinical assessment and eligibility factors. Currently, and in accordance with guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Those who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 should still be vaccinated with a booster dose and people do not need COVID-19 testing prior to vaccination.

• Both the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Province recommend that individuals needing a booster dose who experienced COVID-19 infection after completing their primary series wait for six months (168 days) after symptoms started or after testing positive (if no symptoms were experienced) before receiving a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals may choose to receive their booster dose as early as three months (84 days) after their COVID-19 infection with informed consent. 
• For the purposes of COVID-19 vaccination, a previous COVID-19 infection includes individuals who received a positive COVID-19 test result (either a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test) or who was a household contact of a confirmed case and had COVID-19 symptoms.
• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, or suspect having contracted it, should wait until they have recovered, completed the self-isolation period, and are feeling better before getting vaccinated. This will help to prevent exposing others at a vaccination clinic to the virus. 

• If you have a health condition or special needs that prevents you from visiting a local clinic, pharmacy, or your primary care provider to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a team can come to your home to offer vaccination to you and to your caregiver. 
• Please call 613-691-5505 to request an in-home vaccination. 
• A nurse will contact you to assess your eligibility and obtain more information to book a date and time. 

Free parking options are available at each of the community clinic locations. 

Residents who are eligible for vaccination are encouraged to make a transportation plan in advance of their appointment. This could include using public transit or asking a friend, family member or caregiver to provide a ride to your designated vaccination clinic.

There are several support services available to assist in getting to and from your appointment:

• Use the Travel Planner to plan your trip to any of the vaccine clinics located across the city.
• If you are a Para Transpo user, you can book your ride through the COVID-19 Vaccination Trip Reservation telephone line at 613-842-3600 between the hours of 10 am and 8 pm.
• If you are a resident age 65 years or older or an adult with disabilities you can request a ride through Ottawa Community Transportation after you have booked your appointment. Ottawa Community Transportation will contact you directly to confirm your transportation.

If you or someone you know requires transportation but do not have online access, please contact 211. A representative will assist in completing the online form on your behalf. Please have your vaccine booking confirmation number available when calling.

• If you are not eligible for support through Para Transpo or Ottawa Community Transportation, you can request a ride with a volunteer driver through the VaxAide online form, or by calling 613-869-8221.

COVID-19 protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the rider and the driver, and wearing a mask is mandatory.

How can I support a friend, family member or neighbour with booking their vaccine appointment?

• The treatment (COVID-19 vaccine) and side effects
• Why it is recommended
• Risks and benefits if they get the vaccine, or do not get the vaccine

The individual giving the vaccination and the family must respect the young person’s decision about the vaccine. This means, it is possible your child could refuse the vaccine even if you wish them to have it. OPH recommends that parents and guardians discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with their eligible child(ren) before the vaccine appointment. The COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary.

If a child or youth is unable to consent for themselves, a substitute decision maker such as a parent or guardian, needs to provide consent.

A parent or guardian can attend a vaccine appointment with their child, however it is not required unless the child cannot consent for themselves or needs support. 

• Your booking confirmation code or email. Check your junk folder if you have trouble finding your email
• Your Ontario health card, if you have one. If you do not: a letter from your school, medical provider or faith leader with the child’s name, date of birth and address.
• Your immunization record, if available, to keep track of your COVID-19 vaccine
• An allergy form, if you have a suspected allergy to a COVID-19 vaccine or any of its ingredients or have had a previous allergic reaction to a vaccine
• A mask
• A support person, if needed. This could be your parent, or guardian or someone else that provides support

For more information:

• AboutKidsHealth.ca/covid19 

The Link Ottawa- Instragram @thelinkottawa 

No, you are not currently mandated to disclose your child’s COVID-19 vaccination status or complete a Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief. The Statement of Conscience or Religious Belief applies to mandatory vaccines listed in the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Although the COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended for those eligible, it is not currently mandated. Your child’s vaccination status may be requested by OPH as part of case and contact management if they have an exposure to determine their isolation requirements. Further guidance from OPH will be provided when contacted.

The clinical trial data shows that there have been mild cases of myocarditis and or pericarditis reported after receiving the Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), it is unclear whether these cases are indicative of a safety signal. Post-market safety surveillance, which is routinely done, is required to determine whether this is an adverse event of interest associated with Novavax Nuvaxovid. 

For more information see Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance and COVID-19 vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide  

Vaccination of specific populations

Yes. If you received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in one part of Ontario, you will be able to get your next dose in another city or town, if needed.

When you are registering for your next dose in the Provincial booking system, use the postal code of the address you will be at during the time of your appointment.

For example, if you received your first dose in Ottawa, but will be moving to Toronto for school in the fall when you are due for your second dose, use your new address when booking your dose.

If you have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the Province of Ontario, you may provide your proof of immunization to Ottawa Public Health. Complete the COVID-19 Out of Province Dose Documentation form to notify Ottawa Public Health of your out of province dose administration, and upload the documentation you have received.

Do not use this form to submit medical exemption information.

This form is to be completed by City of Ottawa residents only.

If you live outside of Ottawa, but within Ontario, contact your local public health unit to submit proof of your out of province vaccination.

If you are visiting Ottawa, you do not need to complete this form. If you are visiting from outside of Canada, please consult the Government of Canada's entry requirements.

If you received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Canada, that is not currently approved for use in Canada, you are eligible to receive an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. You are also eligible to receive a booster dose three months (84 days) after your additional dose if you are 18 years of age and older or six months (168 days) after your additional dose if you are 12 years of age and older. Please visit a COVID-19 vaccination clinic to receive your COVID-19 vaccine that is approved for use in Canada. You may also be eligible to receive a second booster which is recommended five months (140 days) after your first booster. For more information and to determine if you are eligible for a second booster, see Who Can Receive their Fourth Dose? 

If you reside in Ottawa, please Complete the COVID-19 Out of Province Dose Documentation form to notify Ottawa Public Health of your out of province dose administration, and upload the documentation you have received.

I received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved for use in Canada, while outside of the country. Am I eligible to receive any other doses?

If you received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Canada, that is not currently approved for use in Canada, you are eligible to receive a booster dose. You can receive the booster dose three months (84 days) after your last dose if you are 18 years of age and older or 6 months (168 days) after your last dose if you are 12 years of age and older. Please visit a COVID-19 vaccination clinic to receive your COVID-19 vaccine that is approved for use in Canada.

You are also eligible to receive a second booster if you meet the eligibility criteria which is recommended 5 months (140 days) after your first booster. For more information, see Who Can Receive their Fourth Dose?

I received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine through a Federal program while in the province of Ontario (for example military, global affairs or embassy vaccination clinic). How do I ensure my vaccination is recorded in Ontario?

What can I expect once I submit my proof of vaccination form?

You will receive an automatic confirmation email once you submit the Out-of-Province or Federal Documentation Form.

Once your submission is reviewed and approved by Ottawa Public Health you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your provincial vaccine receipt.

If your submission is not approved, you will receive an email from Ottawa Public Health with further instructions to re-submit with corrections and/or omissions.

I’m visiting Ontario, do I need to submit my proof of vaccination to be uploaded into the provincial system?

If you are visiting Ontario, please visit ontario.ca/covid19 for more information on what types of proof of vaccination you need.

If you are visiting from outside of Canada, please consult the Government of Canada's entry requirements.

The Out-of-province documentation form is to be completed by City of Ottawa residents only.

COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose) is strongly recommended during pregnancy. Getting vaccinated, as soon as possible, is the safest choice to protect yourself and your baby from the known risks of COVID-19 infection.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends you get a complete series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and complications from COVID-19 infection.

In Ontario, all pregnant individuals are eligible and prioritized to be vaccinated as soon as possible, at any stage of pregnancy. The same applies to receiving a booster dose three months after their last dose.

COVID-19 vaccines are very effective in protecting you from severe illness.

• Getting the vaccine can help prevent complications or bad outcomes for parent and baby. Like everyone else, most pregnant people have mild COVID-19. However, pregnant people are at an increased risk of severe illness requiring hospital care and admission to the intensive care unit compared to those who are not pregnant.
• Giving birth too early in pregnancy (preterm birth), having a caesarean delivery and having a baby admitted into a neonatal intensive care unit is more common in pregnant people with severe COVID-19.

There is growing evidence about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy.

• The mRNA vaccines are effective at reducing the risk of a COVID-19 vaccine infection caused by any variant of the virus (e.g. Omicron) similarly in both pregnant and non-pregnant people. These vaccines do not contain live virus.
• Booster doses decrease the chance of having a symptomatic COVID-19 infection, the severity of the COVID-19 illness and the chance of being hospitalized for COVID-19.
• Antibodies created by the COVID-19 vaccine can offer protection to your baby and are passed through the placenta and/or in your breastmilk.

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses are safe in pregnancy.

• Several studies with large numbers of pregnant people have shown that vaccination immediately before and/or during any time in pregnancy has no impact on pregnancy outcomes.
  • No increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, growth restriction, high blood pressure during pregnancy, medical complications of pregnancy or death.

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals who receive the mRNA (Comirnaty/Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna) vaccines experience the same side effects of vaccination as non-pregnant individuals.

Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, has been growing from real-world use. The data shows that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. No safety concerns were identified in a study of more than 35,000 pregnant people who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine within 30 days of conception.

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines:

• Do not contain any live virus.
• Do not contain any mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, or substances harmful to you and/or your baby.
• Do not contain any human and/or animal blood or by-product(s).
• Cannot be measures in your bloodstream; thus, the baby is not exposed to the vaccine.

Anyone getting the vaccine may have some side effects.

• Common side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. This is caused by the immune system’s normal response to the vaccine. These side effects are generally not serious and go away on their own.
• In more than 35,000 pregnant and/or breastfeeding people who were monitored at the time of COVID-19 vaccination, less than 10% of pregnant people experience a fever.
  • Talk to your doctor or midwife if you develop a fever, or any side effects that worry you or that last more than 3 days, so they can give you advice. A high fever that lasts too long during the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester) may increase the risk of miscarriage or abnormalities to the baby.
• As with any vaccine, allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are rare but can occur. Talk to your health care provider if you have allergies to medications.

If you are pregnant or become pregnant soon after getting the first or second dose of the vaccine, you should complete the full series and receive your booster dose.

Several studies show that prior to and in the first trimester, there is no impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the risk of miscarriage or any adverse pregnancy outcome.

There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on your fertility or chances of becoming pregnant. Fertility treatment is not a medical reason that prevents you from getting vaccinated. 

Information for travel outside of Canada

Can I get both my COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine?

This year with the presence of COVID-19 circulating in the community, it is especially important to get the flu vaccine to reduce the potential risk of having COVID-19 and influenza at the same time.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or before or after other vaccines for anyone five years of age and older. This includes live, non-live, adjuvanted, and non-adjuvanted vaccines. There are no specific safety concerns when routine vaccines are given at the same time or within days of each other. Please note that there could be stronger, temporary side effects when a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine are given at the same time or within days of each other.

Administration of flu vaccine with other vaccines.

Can getting a COVID-19 vaccine affect menstruation or fertility?

It is not clear if the COVID-19 vaccine can affect your periods. But getting sick with COVID-19 can affect your periods. Studies looking at whether there is a link between menstrual cycles and the COVID-19 vaccine are underway. As per the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, if COVID-19 vaccines do affect the menstrual cycle, it would be expected to affect only one to two cycles. Getting sick can affect your periods and severe illnesses like COVID-19 can affect your cycle for much longer. 

Fertility, the ability to get pregnant, is not affected by vaccines. During the years that someone could get pregnant, precaution should be taken with certain live virus vaccines. This is because of theoretical risk to the fetus, not because fertility could be affected. An example of a live virus vaccine is the measles vaccine. 

The COVID-19 vaccines in use are not live virus vaccines. There is no biological reason to believe that the current COVID-19 vaccines would impact someone’s fertility. The U.S. has safety data of over 35,000 pregnant women who received COVID-19 vaccine. This data has not identified any safety concerns with getting an mRNA vaccine within 30 days of conception. NACI has recommended that you do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination with an mRNA vaccine. An individual may receive all doses for which they are eligible during the course of a pregnancy.

Male fertility: millions of men worldwide have received the COVID-19 vaccines. There is no evidence to date that shows that getting a COVID-19 vaccine could lead to fertility loss. We do know that all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, can cause a brief fever in some people. Significant fever from any cause (e.g., if you get the flu) may have a temporary impact on sperm count and quality. But, this effect is only temporary. Some studies have shown that if you get COVID-19, it may affect the quality of your sperm. It is unclear how long this effect lasts.  

The reason the COVID-19 vaccine was approved quickly is not because safety standards have changed, it’s because Health Canada shortened the administrative and organizational process of vaccine authorization. The safety requirements in clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine were just as strict as the regular process for any other vaccine.

Can I still get a vaccine at a clinic if I have a history of fainting when getting a needle?

Yes. Please let your immunizer at the clinic know that you have a history of fainting during or after getting a vaccine. You will be accommodated by being given your vaccine lying down on a mat. There is an area of the clinic that Is screened off for privacy.

Fainting after a vaccine is not an adverse reaction and can happen to people for different reasons including stress or anxiety.

Please note: the FAQ above refers to fainting only, not a more a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. Please be sure to tell your immunization provider if have a history or fainting or a history of severe allergic reactions following vaccination.

What do I do if I or someone I support has a needle phobia or fear but would still like to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic?

You never know how COVID-19 will affect your health after the acute illness has passed. Most people with COVID-19 get better in a few weeks. Some take longer to recover or have problems during recovery. 

Anyone can experience post-COVID-19 health conditions (also referred to as long COVID, long-haul COVID, post-acute COVID-19, long-term effects of COVID, or chronic COVID). This includes people who did not have symptoms while they had COVID-19. Every person is different. 

Preventing post-COVID conditions / ‘long-COVID’:  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent post-COVID conditions is to protect yourself and others from being infected. For those who are eligible, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can help prevent infection and protect against severe illness. The CDC also states that research shows those who are vaccinated and become infected with COVID-19 are less likely to report post-COVID conditions compared to those who are not vaccinated.

Symptoms of post-COVID-19 health conditions can be new or ongoing and last weeks or months following a COVID-19 infection. Some of these symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
• Cough
• Chest or stomach pain
• Headache 

Post-COVID-19 health conditions appear to be less common in children and adolescents. Symptoms in children and adolescents are similar to those experienced by adults. 

The causes and treatments for each person who has longer-term health problems will be different. The long-term effects of COVID-19 infection are still being studied. Have a discussion with your health care provider about your personal situation if you are having problems during your recovery. 

For more information on post-COVID-19 health conditions, please visit:

• Post-COVID Conditions | CDC 
• Post-COVID-19 condition - Canada.ca

How can I reduce the risks of COVID-19 transmission in indoor spaces?

Exhaled breath, whether from breathing, speaking, singing, shouting, etc., contains a variety of sizes of particles - respiratory droplets or aerosols - some of which are big enough that they fall quickly to the ground. Some of which are small enough that they can stay in the air for various lengths of time.

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through direct contact into the mouth, nose, or eyes with the exhaled respiratory droplets or aerosols which carry the virus from an infected person. Ventilation indoors with fresh air provides an important additional layer of protection. Ventilation with fresh air should be improved whenever possible, e.g., bringing in more fresh air through a properly maintained ventilation system or by opening windows and doors. Reducing the risk of transmission while indoors by wearing a mask or face covering and ensuring a distance of two metres (six feet) from those outside your household, continue to be important basics.

Poor ventilation in indoor spaces is linked to increased transmission of respiratory infections, particularly if the space is small. Transmission of COVID-19 has been linked with enclosed spaces, including from people who are infected but are not showing any symptoms of illness.

Even when keeping a distance of two or more metres, people should wear a mask if spending time in an enclosed airspace with people not from their household. The longer you are exposed to someone else in an enclosed space, the higher your chances are of breathing in that person’s exhaled respiratory droplets. The safest approach is to wear a mask at all times when you are in the same room with someone not from your household.

As per the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance, people with known allergies to components of the COVID-19 vaccine may speak with a physician or nurse practitioner to determine whether and how they should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The physician or nurse practitioner can help create a vaccination care plan to ensure you receive the vaccine safely.

If you have a known severe allergic reaction to a component in one of either the Moderna Spikevax or Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNtech) vaccines and can’t interchange your subsequent dose, you will be able to receive the appropriate vaccine at one of our clinics.

Visit the Health Canada web page for a list of ingredients Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNtech), Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines.

American Sign Language - What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines?

The most frequent side effects are injection site pain, fatigue and headache. Some people who got the vaccine in trials also reported muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. These symptoms were usually mild or moderate and went away within a few days. These are all expected reactions to vaccines because of the immune response. They are very similar to those reported following the seasonal influenza vaccination.

You can find more information on the side effects for each vaccine here: Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNtech), Moderna, AstraZeneca or Janssen.

No serious safety concerns have been causally linked to COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada.

If someone experiences an adverse event following immunization, they should report it to a healthcare professional (e.g., family doctor).

An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is an unwanted or unexpected health effect that happens after someone receives a vaccine, which may or may not be caused by the vaccine.

Public health surveillance of AEFIs is important for timely detection of rare vaccine safety issues. For more information visit the OPH page on AEFI reporting.

Expected side effects for each vaccine product are listed on the vaccine product monograph; common side effects could be found under ‘Side effects and risks’.

Healthcare professionals should complete the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Form and send it to the local public health unit.

New Online Reporting Option for AEFIs

We are pleased to announce an online portal for submitting AEFI reporting securely in PDF format: https://secureforms.ottawapublichealth.ca/vaccines/AEFI-Submission-EN

This provides another option, in addition to reporting by fax to: 613-580-9660

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I recently got another vaccine or if I am due for another vaccine?

NACI recommends that COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or before or after other vaccines for anyone 5 years of age or older. This includes live, non-live, adjuvanted, and non-adjuvanted vaccines. There are no specific safety concerns when routine vaccines are given at the same time or within days of each other. Please note that there could be stronger, temporary side effects when a COVID-19 vaccine and another vaccine are given at the same time or within days of each other.

What should I consider before receiving the vaccine? 

• Wait to get vaccinated if you have a fever or are sick with COVID-19 symptoms. This will help avoid confusing symptoms from other illnesses with vaccine-related adverse events. It also helps to decrease COVID-19 transmission at an immunization clinic
• Are you on long-term anticoagulation therapy? National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations support that most people can be safely immunized without stopping their anticoagulation (blood thinner) therapy
• If you have a bleeding disorder, NACI recommends that you make sure it is well managed before immunization

• Do you have allergies? The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that people with a history of serious allergies speak to their healthcare provider before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
• The Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) has a page of COVID-19 Vaccines FAQs which may be helpful (only English version available).
• As an additional reference, see the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Allergies (only English version available).

Can I get vaccinated if I am immunocompromised and or have an autoimmune condition?

Can the medications I take interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccines? Can they cause other side effects after vaccination?

Most medications and medical conditions are not expected to interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccines.

You should talk to your health care provider if you:

• have an autoimmune condition;
• are receiving immunosuppressing therapies; and
• have other specific medical conditions.

Your health care provider may have recommendations about the timing of your COVID-19 vaccine in relation to:

• other vaccines, or
• treatment for autoimmune or immunocompromising conditions.

Health care providers can find more information here:

• NACI recommendations and
• Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations. 

The NACI recommendations are updated as new information becomes available. See the NACI guidance for additional information on drug interactions and blood products, human immunoglobin and timing of immunization.

You cannot book through the provincial portal. Booking will be through your local public health unit. Use this online form to register for a Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine.

Viral vector-based vaccines use a virus, which has been modified to be harmless, as a delivery system to build your immunity. When injected into the body, these COVID-19 vaccines produce a surface protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, specifically the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The spike protein does not make you sick -- it helps your body develop a strong immune response without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines provide instructions to the cells in our bodies to make a viral protein from the coronavirus called a “spike protein”. The mRNA provides instructions that allows the cell to make the spike protein, and then the immune system is activated to recognize the spike protein as being different from the body’s own proteins which initiates an immune response. The mRNA is then degraded by normal cellular mechanisms and the spike proteins are destroyed by the immune system. mRNA vaccines are just one of the different types of vaccines currently used to prevent COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 vaccination along with public health measures will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

The mRNA vaccines remain the recommended vaccines to offer to eligible individuals. Those 18 years of age or older can receive the Janssen as their COVID-19 vaccine if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Have not had any doses of a COVID-19 Vaccine, because of a known allergy to one or more of the components of a mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine.
• Have not received any COVID-19 vaccine and declines an mRNA vaccine (i.e., is looking for an alternative to the mRNA vaccine).
• Have had a serious Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) after a dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and have been advised by an appropriate Physician or Nurse Practitioner to receive a non mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for future doses.

Please note that individuals who received AstraZeneca as their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and do not have a contraindication to receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine are not eligible to receive the Janssen vaccine and should receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

• Who are younger than 18 years of age
• Who have experienced major venous and/or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following vaccination with any vaccine
• Who have a history of capillary leak syndrome (CLS)
• Who have experienced a previous cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with thrombocytopenia
• Who have experienced heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
• Actively receiving monoclonal antibody therapy OR convalescent plasma therapy for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19
  • Vaccine should not be administered while actively receiving therapy

• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle Pain
• Pain at injection site
• Fatigue
• Fever