COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

A primary series is the first couple of vaccine doses a person needs to develop a strong initial immune response against COVID-19. Most people need two doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna) or Novavax (for those 18 years of age and older) to complete their primary series. If you are immunocompromised (i.e. have a weakened immune system), you may need a three-dose primary series.

The primary series is given with the original COVID-19 vaccines that are monovalent, targeting the initial strains of COVID-19.

It is recommended to wait at least eight weeks after a first dose to get a second dose. In some situations, and after discussing the risks and benefits with your health care provider or at a York Region Public Health clinic, appointments for a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna can be booked 28 days after a first dose (i.e. for certain people with a weakened immune system or unexpected travel for compassionate reasons). This is known as informed consent.

If you get COVID-19 before finishing your primary vaccine series, you must wait two months (56 days) between infection and vaccination before getting another COVID-19 vaccine. The minimum wait time after a COVID-19 infection for people who are immunocompromised is one to two months (28 to 56 days) after infection before getting another COVID-19 vaccine to finish their primary series. 

Children six months to four years of age

The Paediatric Moderna vaccine for children six months to four years of age is given as a two-dose primary series for children without a weakened immune system. The second dose is usually given eight weeks after the first dose. 

The Paediatric Pfizer vaccine for children six months to four years of age is given as a three-dose primary series for all children, including those who are immunocompromised. The recommended interval between each dose is eight weeks.

Children 5 to 11 years of age (paediatric dose) 

For a primary series, two doses of Pfizer is recommended over Moderna for everyone between five and 29 years of age.  

Individuals 12 years of age and older

For a primary series, two doses of Pfizer is recommended over Moderna for everyone between five and 29 years of age.  For those 30 years of age and older, either Moderna or Pfizer can be given.

Individuals who are immunocompromised (i.e., have a weakened immune system because of a disease or medication they are taking)

Individuals who have a weakened immune system who are six months of age and older should get three doses as part of their primary series. A third dose is available for moderately- to severely-immunocompromised individuals, as identified by the Ministry of Health. Doses in the primary series should be given at least 28 days apart, but spreading the doses two months apart is ideal. 

To receive a third dose as part of the primary series, eligible individuals must present a completed form or letter indicating their eligibility from their specialist or hospital program. Prescriptions for immunosuppressant medications as identified by the Ministry of Health can also be presented.

Booster doses are one or more doses of a COVID 19 vaccine given after the primary series. They are important because protection after a primary series may decrease over time. Booster doses help to remind your immune system of how to keep you protected from severe outcomes of COVID-19.

Everyone over five years of age is eligible for a booster dose.

Everyone who is eligible for a booster (regardless of the type of booster dose you are getting) must wait at least three months after your primary series or last COVID-19 vaccine dose to get a booster dose. For most people, it is recommended to wait closer to six months because we know that at a six-month interval, the vaccine response tends to be stronger and the protection against COVID-19 disease lasts longer. High-risk populations are recommended to receive their bivalent booster as soon as they are eligible after the minimum three-month interval since their last dose. Individuals can get their dose before six months if they wish after discussing the risks and benefits with their health care provider or at a York Region Public Health clinic. This is known as informed consent.

If you get COVID-19 and have completed your primary vaccine series, you must wait at least three months before getting a booster dose. Just like with the spacing between vaccine doses, waiting six months after a COVID-19 infection to get your next vaccine dose might be more beneficial and protective.

Detailed information about COVID-19 vaccine booster recommendations  is available from the Ministry of Health. 

There are two types of booster doses available:

1. Bivalent vaccine booster
2. Monovalent vaccine booster

Bivalent vaccine booster

Bivalent vaccines target the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain from 2019, and the Omicron BA.1 or BA.4/BA.5 variants. 

To get a bivalent booster you must have received a complete primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (for most people, this means two doses of an approved vaccine; for individuals with a weakened immune system, it means three doses of an approved vaccine).

As of October 17, 2022 all individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible to receive a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. 

If you haven’t received a booster dose yet, York Region Public Health strongly recommends you receive the bivalent booster dose as soon as you are eligible and able to book an appointment.

Monovalent vaccine booster

Only those who are not eligible for a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose should get a monovalent COVID-19 booster dose. A monovalent booster dose targets the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain from 2019.

Pfizer and Moderna monovalent COVID-19 booster doses are available. For children five to 11 years of age, the Pfizer monovalent is the only authorized vaccine for the booster dose. The Pfizer monovalent booster is recommended for individuals under 18 years of age over the Moderna monovalent booster. At this time, children five to 11 years of age are only eligible for one booster.

Walk-in appointments are currently not available. Please book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

York Region offers the following COVID-19 vaccination appointment types:

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Clinic

All our mRNA clinics carry the following vaccines:

• Monovalent (original) vaccines: Pfizer and Moderna
• Bivalent vaccines: Pfizer (12 years of age and older) and Moderna (18 years of age and older)
• Paediatric vaccines: Paediatric Pfizer (six months to 11 years of age) and Paediatric Moderna (six months to four years of age)

COVID-19 Non-mRNA Clinic

• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)* and Novavax Nuvaxovid doses available

• Specialty non-mRNA clinics are offered once per month

*To receive Janssen, a signed note is required from your health care provider indicating that you have a medical contraindication (e.g., allergy) to mRNA vaccines and the Novavax vaccine.

Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

In-home vaccination request

York Region Public Health offers in-home vaccinations for people who live in York Region with challenges attending a clinic and their caregivers. This includes those who have physical, mental, or other needs and find it difficult to leave their home to receive the vaccine. Call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 to see if you qualify for an in-home vaccination. In-home vaccination appointments may take a few weeks to arrange.

Book an in-home vaccination

Partner-led clinics

City of Vaughan

Western York Region

GO-VAXX Mobile Clinics

The Ontario government has partnered with Metrolinx to provide a safe, reliable and convenient option for people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccines are available to anyone five years of age and older. To book an appointment, visit the COVID-19 vaccination portal or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Book a GO-VAXX Appointment

Note: These pop-up clinics are not operated or managed by York Region Public Health; eligibility to receive a vaccine through these mobile clinics is determined by the Province and may be different than eligibility in York Region.

Find your closest pharmacy offering the COVID-19 Vaccine

Most pharmacies book appointments ahead of time and some allow walk-ins. Check with the pharmacy before you go.

Find a Pharmacy

Visit covid19.ontariohealth.ca to obtain your enhanced vaccine certificate. Each enhanced certificate contains a QR code that can be saved to your phone or printed as a paper copy. 

Individuals can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to obtain the enhanced vaccine certificate by email or mail.

York Region Public Health can update your personal information (e.g., name change) on your vaccination receipt only if the new information matches what is found on the Provincial health card registry. To update the registry, please contact Service Ontario.

If you received a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you may need additional dose(s) to be considered fully vaccinated.

If you have received one or two doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you should receive a single dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) to be fully vaccinated.

If you have received three doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you may be considered fully vaccinated, depending on the type of vaccine. Find the vaccine you received in the Appendix of Ontario’s COVID-19 Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated outside of Ontario/Canada to determine if another dose of mRNA vaccine is recommended.

If you have received:

• one or two doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada and one dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, or
• three doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada

you are eligible for a booster dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine three months (84 days) after your last dose (18 years and older only). Visit a vaccine clinic as soon as you are eligible to receive your booster dose.

York Region Public Health maintains COVID-19 immunization records for York Region residents who have been immunized outside of Ontario.

Complete this online form if you have received:

• The first dose of a two dose vaccine series outside of Ontario. Your first dose will need to be documented before you receive your second dose. You will also be required to bring your documentation to the vaccine clinic when you attend your second dose appointment
• The second dose of a two dose vaccine series or a complete vaccine series outside of Ontario and wish to have the series documented in Ontario’s vaccine database
• First or second doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada

If you do not have a COVID-19 immunization record, please contact the location that administered your previous dose(s) to request a copy.

COVID-19 Immunized Outside of Ontario Form

All information collected by this secure form is confidential and will not be shared.

If you have been immunized through a York Region Public Health clinic, pharmacy or physician office, you do not need to upload any immunization records.