COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

If you haven’t received any COVID-19 vaccines before, the updated COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer XBB.1.5) can be used for your vaccinations. The updated vaccine targets the XBB.1.5 strain of the Omicron variant and has been approved for everyone six months and older.

Six months to four years of age

Children six months to four years of age who are not previously vaccinated are given two doses of the updated Moderna vaccine at least 56 days apart or three doses of the updated Pfizer vaccine at least 56 days apart.

Five years of age and older

Individuals five years of age and older who are not previously vaccinated are given one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

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

Individuals with a weakened immune system who are six months to four years old and are not previously vaccinated should receive three doses of the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or 4 doses of the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The doses are usually given 56 days apart. Moderna is the preferred vaccine for moderately to severely immunocompromised children aged six months to four years old.

Individuals with a weakened immune system who are five years of age and older who are not previously vaccinated should receive two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine with 56 days between doses.  

The updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine will be available for everyone six months and older starting October 30.

To maintain protection against the ongoing risk of COVID-19 infection, individuals six months and older are recommended to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose (Moderna or Pfizer XBB.1.5) if it’s been at least six months:

• Since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or
• Since you last had COVID-19 (whichever happened later)

A shorter interval of at least three months since their last dose or known infection may also be used as a minimum interval.

Immunization is particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19 and people at greater risk are strongly recommended to receive a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall.

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

COVID-19 vaccination clinics

Individuals can choose to get both flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same appointment. It is safe to receive both vaccines at the same time. 

Appointments are added often. Please keep checking for availability.

York Region vaccination clinics offer the following COVID-19 vaccines:

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines    

• Moderna XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine 

• Pfizer XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine 

The Novavax XBB COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be approved soon.​​​​​​​​​

COVID-19 non-mRNA vaccines

• Novavax vaccine is available by appointment only by clicking below and selecting COVID-19 non-mRNA vaccination clinics Note: Health Canada has not yet approved the updated Novavax XBB COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination  

• It is recommended to wait at least 2 weeks (14 days) before or after administration of an Arexvy RSV vaccine and any other vaccine, including any COVID-19 vaccine  
• Arexvy RSV vaccine is not available at York Region Public Health vaccination clinics  

We ask residents to be respectful when interacting with public health staff and members of the community in vaccine clinics. Any form of harassment or abuse will not be tolerated 

Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

In-home COVID-19 vaccination request

York Region Public Health offers in-home COVID-19 vaccinations for York Region residents who are unable to leave their home. 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 COVID-19 vaccination

Contact your health care professional's office to check if they are offering COVID-19 and flu vaccines.

1. Screen for symptoms of COVID-19

Screen yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 before you visit a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. If you are feeling unwell on the day of your vaccine appointment, have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or are confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, please stay home. Provincial guidelines recommend that you stay home until all the following apply:

• your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea)  
• you do not have a fever
• you do not develop any additional symptoms

Cancel or reschedule your appointment online at york.ca/covid19vaccine or by calling Access York 1-877-464-9675. You may receive a COVID-19 vaccine once you feel better. For 10 days after your symptoms started, wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in all public settings.

People who get sick with COVID-19 are recommended to wait six months (168 days) from a positive test to receive another dose. 

2. Get ready for your COVID-19 vaccine

• Take any regular medication and eat meals as usual
• Wear a loose-fitting shirt that allows easy access to your upper arm
• Bring your health card and another form of proof of ID that shows your date of birth, address, and/or workplace ID  
• Bring assistive devices as needed (e.g., scooter, wheelchair, cane)
• Bring reading glasses and/or hearing aid, if required
• Limited staff are available to assist residents during your appointment; plan to bring a support person if required

Wearing a mask or face covering is optional in COVID-19 vaccination clinics. York Region supports individuals who choose to wear a mask in public settings and clinics.

If you or your child are hesitant about receiving your COVID-19 vaccine, you can find helpful guides to prepare for a more positive vaccination experience and reduce nervousness about needles in the resources section below.

Individuals 12 years and over do not require a parent or legal guardian to consent to vaccination. Children six months to 11 years of age require a parent or legal guardian’s consent. If a child does not have the capacity to provide their own consent and a parent or legal guardian is unable to accompany them to their appointment, the parent can complete and sign a consent form and send it with the child to the vaccine clinic. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to speak to their child about COVID-19 vaccines including the risks and benefits of vaccination.

Accommodations

If you require accommodation, please call Access York at 1-877-464-9675, TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for deaf and hard of hearing) or email @email. Translation is available at all vaccination clinic sites.

Individuals with accommodations can attend their appointment with a support person. Our vaccination clinics also highly encourage support items such as headphones and electronic devices.

All York Region Public Health vaccination clinics are accessible.

Transportation

Local and rapid transit services are available in all nine York Region municipalities. To learn more and to plan your trip, visit yrt.ca or call 1-866-668-3978

Residents 65 years of age and older who require transportation assistance for a vaccine appointment can call YRT Mobility On-Request directly at 1-866-744-1119 to arrange a ride. Trips must be within five kilometres of your home. Interpretation services are available.

There are also other transportation services offered by community organizations such as (CHATS, Carefirst, Routes, Pinkcars.ca) you may be eligible for. For a complete list of community transportation options, call 211 or visit 211central.ca

When travelling on public transportation, please practice public health safety measures such as hand washing/sanitizing. Masks are strongly encouraged on YRT local and Viva rapid transit services. Masks are required on YRT Mobility On-Request rides. 

3. What to expect when you arrive

• It is important to arrive on time for your appointment; please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early or late
• Be prepared to spend approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the time you arrive at the clinic to the time you leave
• When you arrive, you will register at the check-in station
• You may wear a mask if you choose to
• Clean or sanitize your hands 
• You and your support person (if required) will move through a coordinated flow process at the clinic, which may require a fair amount of walking
• Staff will be located throughout the clinic to help direct you where to go. If you require an accommodation, just ask one of the friendly staff
• You will be required to wait for a 15 minute recovery period (or up to 30 minutes for those with a history of severe allergies) after getting your vaccine to ensure you are feeling well. Notify clinic staff right away if you feel unwell while waiting
• You will be provided with an email record of your COVID-19 immunization

4. After your vaccine

Common side effects

COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects for some people; most are mild or moderate and typically subside in a few days. These might include soreness at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish. Some symptoms can be part of the body’s response to developing immunity.

Report serious side effects

Serious side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are rare; however, if you are severely unwell call 911 and seek medical attention right away, or if you develop any of the following adverse reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine:

• Hives
• Swelling of the face or mouth
• Trouble breathing
• Very pale colour and serious drowsiness
• High fever (over 40°C)
• Convulsions or seizures
• Other serious symptoms

There have been rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination with an mRNA vaccine:

• Cases were more commonly reported after the second dose
• Symptoms typically began within several days after vaccination
• Cases were mainly adolescents and young adults
• Cases were more often males compared to females
• Most cases experienced mild or temporary illness, responded well to rest and conservative treatment and symptoms improved quickly

These reports are rare. If you have experienced non-vaccine related myocarditis in the past, or after receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, please speak to your health care provider to determine your options for vaccination.

Seek medical attention if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations following immunization (symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis).

If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your health care provider.

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.

Trans and non-binary people living in Ontario who have not updated their health card with their chosen name can now update their proof of vaccine certificate to reflect their chosen name.

How to update your Ontario COVID-19 vaccine certificate to your chosen name:

1. Walk into a York Region COVID-19 vaccination clinic 

2. Bring at least one form of identification (ID) showing your chosen name. This document or combination of documents from the list below must include your name, birth date and photo ID. Your birth date needs to be the same on all IDs but name and gender can be different.

NOTE: Photo ID is only required for those 18 years of age and older.

There are several forms of documentation which can be used including:

• Driver’s license
• Birth certificate
• Ontario Photo Card 
• Passport 
• Piece of registered mail 
• Pay stub 
• Student card 
• Library card 
• Club or organization ID cards 
• Government issued ID from other jurisdictions (foreign passports, other provincial/territorial health cards/driver’s license)

3.    A clinic staff member will update your name in the COVID-19 vaccine certificate database (COVaxON).

4.    Visit ontario.ca/page/covid-19-vaccines to download your updated certificate.

5.    If you need to travel outside of Canada but haven’t updated your passport with your chosen name, you will need to travel under your old IDs. If so, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) and ask them to switch back your vaccine certificate to your former name/name on your Ontario health card. You can then download the vaccine certificate in your former name.

6.    When you return to Canada, call the PVCC again to switch your vaccine certificate back to your chosen name.

If you are six months of age and older and have received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada It is recommended that you receive a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine at a recommended interval of six months (168 days) since your last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. A shorter interval of three months (84 days) may be used as a minimum.

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.

Are COVID-19 vaccines effective?

Immunity begins about two weeks after the first COVID-19 vaccine dose. All approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 infection, particularly serious illness to yourself and to vulnerable populations. Vaccination helps the immune system protect against disease and is one of our most effective lines of defense.

It’s important to get vaccinated and stay up to date. Up to date means a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses. The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance document provides more information.

How well is the vaccine tested? Is it safe?

Only vaccines that are safe and effective for widespread use are approved by Health Canada for use in Canada. Vaccines are tightly regulated and closely monitored in Canada and each vaccine has been rigorously tested in a series of large-scale trials.

While mild or moderate side effects are possible, they typically subside in a few days. These might include soreness at the injection site, body chills, feeling tired or feverish. Some symptoms can be part of the body’s response to developing immunity. Side effects may be more common with the second dose. Serious side effects are rare.

Some side effects can be similar to symptoms of COVID-19. If you have concerns about symptoms after immunization, please speak to your health care provider to determine if you need further assessment.

Vaccines are continually monitored for safety and effectiveness at federal, provincial and local levels. Health care providers and the public also play a part in this, by reporting any uncommon side effects after receiving a vaccine.

Is mRNA technology new?

Like all vaccines, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before being approved. mRNA technology has been studied for more than a decade. The “m” from mRNA means “messenger” which is exactly what the vaccine does – it sends a message to your cells to make antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19. It blocks the virus from attaching and getting into your body’s cells. It cannot change your DNA and it cannot give you COVID-19.

What types of COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Canada?

mRNA (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines are recommended. However, if you are unable or prefer not to receive an mRNA vaccine, you are eligible to receive the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. Astra Zeneca, Medicago and Janssen vaccines are no longer available in Ontario.

If you have any additional questions, please call Access York at 1-877-464-9675 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Access York is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.

Vaccines for children and youth

Health Canada has approved COVID-19 vaccines for individuals six months of age and older. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of vaccinating their children. More information is available in these resources and websites:

• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Youth – Ministry of Health Fact Sheet (English)
• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Youth – Ministry of Health Fact Sheet (French)
• Max the Vax:  COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Children and Caregivers

While younger people are less likely to experience serious cases of COVID-19, not all kids will experience mild symptoms. Vaccination remains our strongest line of defense against infection and serious illness as other protective measures, such as mandatory masking, have been removed from most settings.  Vaccination is a safe and effective way to provide additional protection for all children and youth, including those who have already had a COVID-19 infection. Getting vaccinated also provides further protection for all family members, especially those who are at risk for more severe illness. 

VaxFacts+Clinic is a physician-led consult services that supports community members and families to get accurate information about COVID-19 and other vaccines. Family physicians and other local healthcare providers are also a good source of information for families. You may also want to consult the fact sheet Reduce the Pain of Vaccination in Kids and Teens — A Guide for Parents.

Can I contract COVID-19 from the vaccine?

No. The approved vaccines do not contain the virus. The vaccines cannot give you an infection or the disease (COVID-19).

Should I get the vaccine if I am pregnant or trying to become pregnant or am breastfeeding?

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is effective in protection pregnant individuals from severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization from COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 vaccination also protects the infant after birth from COVID-19 as protective antibodies are transferred to the fetus during pregnancy. COVID-19 vaccines may be offered at any stage of pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should receive their eligible doses as soon as they are able to. 

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada recommends that all individuals who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more in this helpful information sheet.

Where/how do I report vaccine side effects?

Serious side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are rare; however, if you are severely unwell or you develop any of the following adverse reactions within three days of receiving the vaccine, call 911 and seek medical attention right away:

• Hives 
• Swelling of the face or mouth 
• Trouble breathing 
• Very pale colour and serious drowsiness 
• High fever (over 40°C) 
• Convulsions or seizures 
• Other serious symptoms

IMPORTANT: Seek medical attention if you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations following immunization (symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis).

There have been rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination with an mRNA vaccine:

• Cases were more commonly reported after the second dose
• Symptom onset was typically within several days after vaccination 
• Cases were mainly adolescents and young adults, and more often males compared to females
• Many cases experienced mild or temporary illness, responded well to rest and conservative treatment and symptoms improved quickly

If you are concerned about any reactions you experience after receiving the vaccine, contact your health care provider.

Can a COVID-19 Vaccine Impact My Mammogram Results?

Yes. Speak to your health care provider to let them know you have already received the vaccine, or if you will soon be receiving a first or second dose.

Vaccines of all types, including the COVID-19 vaccine, can cause temporary swelling of the lymph nodes as part of the normal immune response to the vaccine. This can happen after the first or second dose. This temporary swelling can cause your mammogram to appear abnormal even when you are ok.

The Canadian Society of Breast Imaging and Canadian Association of Radiologists’ recommends scheduling screening exams prior to the first dose, or six weeks following either dose in average risk patients. Women who are overdue for screening due to pandemic delays or who are experiencing symptomatic breast concerns should proceed to mammography despite timing of vaccinations. Speak to your health care provider for specific advice for your personal health situation.

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Speak to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about your health or getting the vaccine.

Do not attend your appointment if you are not feeling well or have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough or sore throat. More information is also available on our Preparing for Your COVID-19 Vaccine page.

What do I need when I receive my vaccine?

When attending your vaccine appointment, you should wear a short sleeve shirt to ensure your arm is accessible when receiving the vaccine. You will also need an ID showing your proof of age and your OHIP card if you have one.

Are COVID-19 and flu vaccines free for international students and newcomers to Ontario?

Both COVID and flu vaccines are free to everyone including international students and newcomers to Ontario who live, work or attend school here. No OHIP card is required at our York Region Public Health clinics; however, an OHIP card may be requested by other vaccine providers.

I don’t drive anymore, how can I get to my vaccination appointment?

Local and rapid transit services are available in all nine York Region municipalities. To learn more and to plan your trip, visit yrt.ca or call 1-866-668-3978

Residents 65+ who require transportation assistance for a vaccine appointment can call YRT Mobility On-Request directly at 1-866-744-1119 to arrange a ride. Interpretation services are available.

There are also other transportation services offered by community organizations such as (CHATS, Carefirst, Routes, Pinkcars.ca) you may be eligible for. For a complete list of community transportation options, call 211 or visit 211central.ca