Getting vaccinated against COVID-19

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, our families and our communities against COVID-19 and all its variants of concern.   

Keeping up to date on our COVID-19 vaccination helps: 

• To reduce our risk of infection or re-infection and our risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19.   

• To reduce our risk of spreading the virus to others around us. 

• To be better protected against becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and needing hospital care – this booster dose is especially important if we have a chronic disease. 

• To get back on our feet faster and likely keep us out of the hospital. This means that if we do catch COVID, we might only be sick for a few days before your immune system fights it off.   

Keeping up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination means: 

• Having received all recommended doses, including booster doses.  

• Getting a booster if your last COVID-19 dose was before August 15, 2022.

• Getting a booster if you had a COVID-19 infection more than 3 months ago. 

We can increase our protection against COVID-19 by getting a booster with the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (“Omicron booster”) that better targets Omicron and its subvariants. 

Here are the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in Quebec: 

• Spikevax (Moderna) bivalent BA.1 approved for adults aged 18 years and over 

• Spikevax (Moderna) bivalent BA.4-BA.5 approved for adults aged 18 years and over 

• Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) bivalent BA.4 and BA.5 approved for children aged 5 to 11 years old 

• Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) bivalent BA.4 and BA.5 approved for people aged 12 years and over 

If you have questions about your specific risk of COVID-19, or if you worry that you are ineligible to get the vaccine, please talk to a nurse at your local clinic or your doctor.   

Did you know?

•  Booster doses are needed to further reduce transmission and increase protection. 

• At this time, there is no evidence to suggest any meaningful difference in protection between the BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 bivalent vaccines.  

• Spikevax (Moderna) bivalent BA.1 vaccine is currently estimated to provide a 61.5% protection against symptomatic disease, and 90.3% against severe disease. 

• Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) bivalent BA.4-BA.5 vaccine is currently estimated to provide a 63% protection against symptomatic disease, and 91% against severe disease. 

• Even if you are not at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination reduces your risk of developing the disease and decreases the risk of severe COVID-19 related illnesses. 

• The more people that are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination, the safer we all become.  

• If you have questions about your specific risk of COVID-19, or if you worry that you are ineligible to get the vaccine, please talk to your doctor. 

No, the vaccine is not mandatory for anyone.  

 

• Vaccination of healthcare workers is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their patients who are often vulnerable and at high-risk of complications if they get infected.  

• No vaccination proof is necessary to travel by plane.  

• Wearing a mask while on board the plane is highly recommended to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others. 

If you do not get vaccinated against COVID-19, you will have to rely on other precautionary measures – such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing a mask – as your only protection against COVID-19.

• Precautionary measures like physical distancing, hand hygiene, and wearing a mask can protect you by limiting the chances you are exposed to the virus in the first place. However, only vaccination can protect you if and when you are exposed, by reducing your risk of getting severely ill. 

• The more people that are vaccinated, the safer we all become.

Children 6 months - 4 years old 

Children 6 months – 4 years old who are NOT immunocompromised are recommended to have 2 doses, with an interval of 8 weeks between doses. 

Children 6 months – 4 years old who are immunocompromised or receiving dialysis are recommended to have 3 doses, with an interval of 4 weeks between doses. 

Booster doses are not yet approved for children under 5 years old. 

Children 5 to 11 years old  

Children 5 to 11 years old who are NOT immunocompromised are recommended to have 2 doses, with an interval of 8 weeks between doses, to complete their primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination). 

• A booster dose is available for children aged 5 years and over, and is strongly recommended for children at high-risk of having complications from COVID-19 or who live in a closed group environment (group homes). The booster dose is given 5 months since the last COVID-19 dose (and at least 3 months after a COVID-19 infection). 

Children 5 to 11 years old who are immunocompromised or receiving dialysis are recommended to have 3 doses, with an interval of 4 weeks between doses, to complete their primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination).  

• A booster dose is strongly recommended for immunocompromised children or children receiving dialysis. For these children, the booster dose is given 3 months since the last COVID-19 dose (and at least 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection). 

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

Children aged 5-11 years old considered at increased risk of COVID-19 complications:   

Chronic heart or lung diseases severe enough to require regular medical follow up or hospital care, such as:   

• bronchopulmonary dysplasia;   

• cystic fibrosis;   

• Asthma.   

Chronic conditions such as:   

• diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorders;   

• liver diseases, including cirrhosis;   

• kidney diseases;   

• blood disorders, including hemoglobinopathy, asplenia, and anemia;   

• cancer;   

• immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV infection;   

• immunosuppression caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy or anti-rejection medications (transplants).   

Medical conditions that can affect the ability to expel secretions from the respiratory tract and the ability to swallow, including:   

• cognitive disorders;   

• spinal cord injuries;   

• seizure disorders;   

• neuromuscular disorders;   

• morbid obesity (as indicated by a BMI ≥ 40).   

Other conditions identified by the attending physician.

Youth 12 - 17 years  

• Two (2) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are needed to complete the primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination). The 2nd dose is recommended to be given 8 weeks after the 1st dose.  

• A booster dose is available for any youth 12 – 17 and is strongly recommended for youth at high-risk of having complications from COVID-19 or who live in a closed group environment (like the Youth Healing Centre). The booster dose is given 5 months since the last COVID-19 dose, regardless of how many doses were given before. Additional COVID-19 doses are to be given 3 months after a COVID-19 infection.  

Youth who are immunocompromised or on dialysis need an additional dose (3rd dose) to complete their primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination), with an interval of 4 weeks in between doses.  

• They also require booster doses, given 3 months after the last COVID-19 dose (and at least 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection), regardless of how many doses already given before. 

• Booster doses further reduce transmission and increase protection – especially now that we have Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) bivalent BA.4-BA.5 boosters available in Eeyou Istchee (approved for 12 years and over) - which better target Omicron and its subvariants. 

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC.    

Youth aged 12-17 considered at increased risk of COVID-19 complications:   

Chronic heart or lung diseases severe enough to require regular medical follow up or hospital care, such as:   

• bronchopulmonary dysplasia;   

• cystic fibrosis;   

• Asthma.   

Chronic conditions such as:   

• diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorders;   

• liver diseases, including cirrhosis;   

• kidney diseases;   

• blood disorders, including hemoglobinopathy, asplenia, and anemia;   

• cancer;   

• immunodeficiency disorders, including HIV infection;   

• immunosuppression caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy or anti-rejection medications (transplants).   

Medical conditions that can affect the ability to expel secretions from the respiratory tract and the ability to swallow, including:   

• cognitive disorders;   

• spinal cord injuries;   

• seizure disorders;   

• neuromuscular disorders;   

• morbid obesity (as indicated by a BMI ≥ 40).   

Other conditions identified by the attending physician.  

Adults 18 years old +

• Two (2) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are needed to complete the primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination). The 2nd dose is recommended to be given 8 weeks after the 1st dose.  

• A booster dose is recommended for all adults, 5 months after the last COVID-19 dose, regardless of how many doses were given before. Additional COVID-19 doses are to be given 3 months after a COVID-19 infection. 

Adults who are immunocompromised or on dialysis need an additional dose (3rd dose) to complete their primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination), with an interval of 4 weeks in between doses.  

• They also require booster doses, given 3 months after the last COVID-19 dose, regardless of how many doses were given before.  

• Additional COVID-19 doses are to be given 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection in people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis.  

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• Booster doses further reduce transmission and increase protection – especially now that we have COVID-19 bivalent boosters available in Eeyou Istchee  - which better target Omicron and its subvariants. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

• The first dose provides protection against severe forms of COVID-19, but that protection declines over time.   

• the primary vaccine series (baseline vaccination) is not sufficient against the Omicron variant, and the new Omicron sub-variant(s). 

• Getting booster shot(s) is necessary for better protection against severe forms of the disease. 

• By keeping up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination, you are better protected against becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and needing hospital care – booster doses are especially important for you if you have a chronic disease. 

Children 6 months - 4 years old 

If NOT immunocompromised: 

• The delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 8 weeks (at least 21 days) 

If immunocompromised or on dialysis: 

• The delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks (at least 21 days). 

• The delay between dose 2 and dose 3 is 4 weeks.

Children 5 -11 years old 

If NOT immunocompromised: 

• The delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 8 weeks (at least 21 days). 

• The delay between dose 2 and the booster is 5 months. 

• The delay between booster doses is also 5 months. 

If immunocompromised or on dialysis: 

• The delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 4 weeks (at least 21 days). 

• The delay between dose 2 and dose 3 is 4 weeks. 

• The delay between dose 3 and the first booster is 3 months. 

• The delay between booster doses is also 3 months. 

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

Youth 12 - 17 years old 

If NOT immunocompromised: 

• The recommended delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 8 weeks (at least 21 days). 

• The delay between dose 2 and the booster is 5 months. 

• The delay between the boosters  is also 5 months. 

If immunocompromised or on dialysis: 

• The delay between regular doses is 4 weeks. 

• The delay between dose 3 and the first booster is 3 months. 

• The delay between booster doses is also 3 months.

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

Adults 18 years old + 

If NOT immunocompromised: 

• The recommended delay between dose 1 and dose 2 is 8 weeks (minimum of 21 days). 

• The delay between dose 2 and the first booster is 5 months. 

• The delay between booster doses is also 5 months.  

If immunocompromised or on dialysis: 

• The delay between regular doses is 4 weeks. 

• The delay between dose 3 and the first booster is 3 months. 

• The delay between booster doses is also 3 months. 

• If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

• “Booster” refers to an extra dose of a vaccine after the primary vaccine series.    

• Currently, booster doses are available for people age 5 and older.   

• With the primary vaccine series, the immune system is trained to recognize and produce antibodies against the virus it was created to defend.

• Booster shots are given to remind the body’s immune system about the virus it needs to defend against. This improves the immune system, giving it a “boost.” This is usually needed when data shows that the immunity protection against the virus decreases with time.   

• The Omicron variant is more transmissible (about 3 times). 

• COVID-19 bivalent boosters better target Omicron and its subvariants. 

• Both Spikevax and Comirnaty bivalent boosters have only been approved for people who have completed their primary vaccine series (can only be given as a booster dose).

• At this time, there is no evidence to suggest any meaningful difference in protection between the BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 bivalent vaccines.  

• A booster dose is recommended if your last COVID-19 dose was more than 5 months ago, and/or or if you were infected with COVID-19 more than 3 months ago. 

• Bivalent boosters are available for people aged 5 years and older.

•  If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now. 

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

• The Spikevax BA.1 and Spikevax BA.4-BA.5 bivalent boosters are approved for people aged 18 years and over, but the Comirnaty BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster is preferred for adults aged 18 to 29 years old, since there may be a slightly higher risk of myocarditis or pericarditis with Spikevax vaccines for people aged 12-29 years old. Adults aged 18 to 29 years old who wish to still receive a Spikevax bivalent booster may receive it, after informed consent

• The Spikevax BA.1 bivalent booster combines the mRNA sequence for the spike protein of two strains of the SARS-CoV-2: 25 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 25 mcg from the Omicron B.1 subvariant.

  • It is currently estimated to provide a 61.5% protection against symptomatic disease, and 90.3% against severe disease. 

• The Spikevax BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster combines the mRNA sequence for the spike protein of two strains of the SARS-CoV-2: 25 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 25 mcg from the Omicron B.4-BA.5 subvariants. 

• The Comirnaty BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster includes 15 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 15 mcg from the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The Comirnaty BA.4-BA.-5 bivalent booster is approved for people aged 12 years and over.  

  • It is currently estimated to provide a 63% protection against symptomatic disease, and 91% against severe disease.

• The Comirnaty BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster for children aged 5-11 years old includes 5 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 5 mcg from the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.  

• We now have data that indicates that the protection from a booster dose lasts roughly 6 months. 

• This is why we need to restore our immunity if the last dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 5 months ago. 

• Some symptoms may be caused by the vaccine (e.g., pain at the injection site).  

• Other problem may occur by chance and are not related to the vaccine (e.g., cold, gastro).  

• Most reactions are harmless and do not last long.  

• Local reactions can occur up to 8 days after vaccination.  

• Reactions are less common among people age 55 and over. They are slightly less frequent after the 1st dose and after the booster dose than after the 2nd dose.  

• In a minority of those vaccinated, vaccine-induced reactions that prevent daily activities for 1 or 2 days may occur.  

• Reactions include fatigue, headache, and muscle or joint pain. They can occur up to 8 days after vaccination and occur more often after the 2nd dose. 

• These reactions are less common among the elderly.  

• COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 because they do not contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease. However, people who have been in contact with the virus could still develop COVID-19.    

• Myocarditis or pericarditis may occur (about 2 people in 100,000). This occurs more frequently in young males under the age of 30 (less cases are observed with the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine)). Cases usually have mild symptoms and recover quickly. A longer time interval between the initial vaccine series and the booster dose reduces the risk of myocarditis or pericarditis.    

• The frequency of myocarditis or pericarditis is approximatively 8 times higher after the 2nd dose of Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine than after the 1st dose (approximately 17 cases per 100,000 doses versus 2 cases per 100,000 doses respectively). Cases present most often with mild symptoms and recover quickly. 

• It is important to note that while there is a small risk of myocarditis or pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, the risk is much higher after a COVID-19 infection (about six times higher). 

• A very small number of people – about 2 out of every 100,000 - can have a severe allergic reaction after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Those reactions occur in the first 15 minutes after the injection – and the CHB staff has all the necessary emergency equipment if needed.    

• It takes some time after getting your vaccine for your body to build up the necessary immunity (about 14 days). 

• After getting the 2nd dose or subsequent doses, your body is quicker to build antibodies and should build maximum protection in roughly 7 days. 

• A booster increases your protection, making it last longer.  

• We now have data that indicates that the protection from a booster dose lasts roughly 6 months.  This is why we need to restore our immunity if the last dose of COVID-19 vaccine was five months ago.  

• A vaccine trains the immune system to fight a certain bacteria or virus to prevent us from getting sick from it.  

• There are different types of vaccines, but they all work to strengthen our body’s natural defenses. 

• When a virus invades the body, it multiplies and attacks, causing an infection. The first time the body encounters a virus, it can take many days to make and use the virus-fighting tools needed to beat the infection.  

• The immune system remembers what it learned about the virus and how to protect the body in the future. 

•  Vaccines imitate an infection so that our body can be prepared if and when it encounters the virus in the future. 

• The Spikevax (Moderna) and Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines.  

• mRNA stands for messenger RNA.  It is like a messenger that tells your body how to make some of the proteins it needs to stop the COVID-19 virus from staying in your body.  

• This is the first time that mRNA knowledge will be used widely, but this knowledge has been studied by researchers for many years. 

• Once you are vaccinated, your body’s immune system will activate and start producing fighter cells and antibodies against COVID-19. 

• This is harmless and there is no possible way that our DNA can be changed. 

• These vaccines do not contain the live virus and cannot give us COVID-19.  

Learn about all of the approved COVID-19 vaccines in Canada here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines.html 

• The bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines offer a boost of protection against the Omicron variant (including subvariants BA.4 and BA.5).  

• As a virus spreads, it changes into new variants. The more it changes, the harder it is for our immune system to recognize it. 

• The new bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines not only allow our body to recognize and defend against COVID-19 variants that look similar to the original COVID-19 virus, but also to better recognize and defend against COVID-19 variants that look like the Omicron subvariants. 

  • The Spikevax BA.1 bivalent booster combines the mRNA sequence for the spike protein of two strains of the SARS-CoV-2: 25 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 25 mcg from the Omicron B.1 subvariant 

  • The Spikevax BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster combines the mRNA sequence for the spike protein of two strains of the SARS-CoV-2: 25 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 25 mcg from the Omicron B.4-BA.5 subvariants. 

  • The Comirnaty BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster includes 15 mcg of the original strain from Wuhan (China) and 15 mcg from the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. 

• Spikevax (Moderna) and Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) bivalent boosters better target Omicron and its subvariants. 

  • Spikevax (Moderna) BA.1 bivalent vaccine is currently estimated to provide a 61.5% protection against symptomatic disease, and 90.3% against severe disease. 

  • Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) BA.4-BA.5 bivalent vaccine is currently estimated to provide a 63% protection against symptomatic disease, and 91% against severe disease. 

• At this time, there is no evidence to suggest any meaningful difference in protection between the BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 bivalent vaccines.  

   

• While monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are still very effective against severe disease and hospitalization, they are not as effective anymore against infection and mild-to-moderate illness. 

• The Spikevax BA.1 and Spikevax BA.4-BA.5 bivalent boosters are approved for people 18 years and over, but the Comirnaty BA.4-BA.5 bivalent booster is preferred for adults aged 18 to 29 years old, since there may be a slightly higher risk of myocarditis or pericarditis with Spikevax vaccines for people aged 12-29 years old. Adults aged 18 to 29 years old who wish to still receive a Spikevax bivalent booster may receive it, after informed consent. 

• The frequency of myocarditis or pericarditis is approximatively 2 cases per 100,000 doses. Cases present most often with mild symptoms and recover quickly. 

• It is important to note that while there is a small risk of myocarditis or pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination, the risk is much higher after a COVID-19 infection (about six times higher). 

• If you show any sign of active illness such as fever, cough, etc. you should not get vaccinated but instead, call your CMC for an appointment to get vaccinated at a later date.  Past severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any ingredients of the Spikevax (Moderna) or Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines is the only contraindication to receive the Spikevax (Moderna) or Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines. Please refer to this page for the complete list of ingredients.

• Someone who is mildly or severely allergic to a certain food or to a component that is not found in the Spikevax (Moderna) and Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine may receive the vaccine safely.   

• People with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to Polyethylene glycol (PEG) should be referred to an allergist, before getting vaccinated. 

• Local community Facebook pages and radio stations provide information about vaccination clinics. 

• Each CMC will have a different approach for notifying people that vaccines are available. 

Yes. Anyone who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine can still get vaccinated with their first dose. 

Yes, as long as they do not have COVID-like symptoms. 

• Community vaccination sites will have Red Zones in place, with all necessary safety precautions to vaccinate people who are in isolation.   

• If a person has COVID-19, they need to wait until they recover before they take the vaccine. The recommendation is that they wait up to 3 months.  

The COVID-19 vaccination is administered like other vaccines, through an injection in your upper arm.

• If you have ID, bring it with you.

• You do not need to fast.

• Wear a short-sleeved shirt.

Yes, this is a possibility, based on information we’ve received from the Quebec Health Ministry (MSSS).

The Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine contains the following ingredients:  

• messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA);  

• lipids: 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, SM-102, polyethylene glycol-2000 DMG (1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycerol, methoxy-polyethylene glycol) and cholesterol;  

• tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid and sucrose;  

• water for injection.  

The Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccine contains the following ingredients:  

• messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)  

• lipids: ALC-0315 = ((4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl) bis (hexane-6,1-diyl) bis (2-hexyldecanoate), ALC-0159 = 2 - [(polyethylene glycol) -2000] -N, N -ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and cholesterol;  

• potassium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate and sucrose;  

• the diluent consisting of sterile water and sodium chloride.  

If you have an allergy to polyethyleneglycol, you will be referred to an allergist. Someone with any history of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) to any vaccine or any injectable medication would be reviewed by the Public Health team to make sure that it is safe for them to receive the vaccine. 

• The most common side effect symptoms are

  • soreness

  • redness

  • swelling

  • or warmth around the site of needle entry. 

• Headache, fatigue, generalized body aches, mild fever or chills are also common after vaccination. 

• The immune system is activated by the vaccine (so that it is ready to fight future COVID-19 infection), and some people experience symptoms during this process. 

• More than half of people who get vaccinated can expect to feel one or more of these things. 

• These reactions are usually mild or moderate, and clear up within a few days. 

• Most people have stronger reactions to the 2nd dose than the 1st dose. Some people have no reaction at all. 

• Side effects are slightly less frequent after the 1st dose and after the booster dose than after the 2nd dose. 

• People can take common medications, like Tylenol (as per instructions), to reduce some of these feelings. 

• Serious reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are very rare. 

• Everyone coming for vaccination will be asked about any personal history of severe allergy, and the healthcare staff providing vaccines will be prepared to treat any allergic reactions. 

• In a very small number of people (around 2 people out of 100 000)), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) or pericarditis (inflammation around the heart) has been reported after immunization with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna)).      

• Myocarditis or pericarditis occur more frequently in young males under the age of 30 following the 2nd dose, and more frequently with Spikevax (Moderna). Cases present most often with mild symptoms and recover quickly.  

Yes. Vaccination against COVID-19 with mRNA vaccines is strongly recommended for pregnant women. 

• Pregnant women, particularly those with pre-existing health problems (like diabetes, obesity), have a higher risk of complications from COVID-19 than women who are not pregnant.

• Every pregnant woman should be offered mRNA vaccination against COVID-19. 

• If you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby. For example, COVID-19 during pregnancy increases the risk of delivering a preterm or stillborn infant.

• Researchers found that mothers who were fully vaccinated during their pregnancy provided more COVID-19 antibodies (and possibly greater protection against disease) to their babies once they were born. 

• Evidence continues to show that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. 

• However, as a pregnant woman, you can decide for yourself if you would like to receive the vaccination.

• You can make an informed decision after consulting with your healthcare professionals, Elders or Traditional Healers. 

Yes. Women who are breastfeeding are recommended to get vaccinated and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including getting COVID-19 booster shots 

• You do not need to stop breastfeeding at any point before or after vaccination. 

• Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies.   

• The decision to be vaccinated is yours. You can make an informed decision after consulting with your healthcare professionals, Elders or Traditional Healers. 

No. Being diabetic or on dialysis will not make someone more vulnerable to side effects.

• Just like any other individuals receiving the vaccine, they might have some side effects such as pain at the injection site, mild fever, or fatigue.

• People with diabetes may wish to closely monitor their blood glucose levels after they are vaccinated so that they remain comfortable if they do experience mild side effects.

• People with diabetes are at higher risk of severe infection if they get COVID-19. The Cree Health Board strongly recommends that people living with diabetes get vaccinated.

• By keeping up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination, diabetes and dialysis patients are better protected against becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and needing hospital care – booster doses are especially important for people with a chronic disease. 

•  If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now.  

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC. 

Yes.  

• People who are immunocompromised are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from a COVID-19 infection, so they are advised to get all recommended doses and stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.  

• The immune response to the vaccine may be reduced in people with suppressed immune systems, so additional and more frequent doses are recommended for them. 

• An informed decision will be made with the person to be vaccinated or their representative if they are unfit. 

• People with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any of the ingredients of the vaccine – like Polyethylene Glycol - should not receive the vaccine. 

• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) is a non-medicinal ingredient in the vaccine that is also found in some laxatives. 

• People with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to Polyethylene glycol (PEG) should be referred to an allergist, before getting vaccinated. 

• People with any other type of allergy should not be worried about getting the vaccine, so far allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines are rare. 

• For extra safety, the vaccination teams will be equipped with everything needed in case of a severe allergic reaction and the first responders will be close by if needed. 

Please refer to this page for the complete list of ingredients.

• If you have food or pollen allergies, like an allergy to peanuts, seafood or you get hay fever, you are NOT at greater risk for developing an allergy to the vaccine.

• For extra safety, the vaccination teams will be equipped with everything needed in case of a severe allergic reaction and the first responders will be close by if needed.

Yes, they can. 

• There is no trace of gluten in vaccines. 

• The Canadian Celiac Association recommends that people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance receive the vaccine.

It is safe to receive other vaccines at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccines.

• To avoid potential interference, it is recommended to wait 90 days after the administration of monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 or convalescent plasma given as a treatment of COVID-19 before administering a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Specifically, for tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Evusheld) (monoclonal antibodies used as complementary prevention for against COVID-19): 

• We should not delay the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine in a person who received Evusheld (without administering the two products at the same time). 

• If the COVID-19 vaccine is given first, we need to wait 2 weeks between the COVID-19 vaccination and the subsequent administration of Evusheld. 

There have been no studies to date regarding alcohol, cannabis, or recreational drug use and the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Vaccination continues to be the strongest protection against COVID-19, even for those with a prior COVID-19 infection.    

• Getting sick with COVID-19 can offer some protection from future illness (sometimes called “natural immunity"), but this protection varies depending on how mild or severe the illness was, the time since infection, and the person's age. 

• Infection protects individuals from reinfection with the same variant, but not against other variants. 

• We can't know exactly how much the COVID-19 infection stimulates your immune system, or how long any immunity from COVID-19 infection lasts. 

• While you can gain some extra immunity from having COVID-19, a booster provides added protection to reduce the risk of reinfection and the risk of getting severely ill. 

For people who are NOT immunocompromised:  

• It is best to wait 3 months after a positive test before getting vaccinated against COVID-19  

For people who are immunocompromised or on dialysis:  

• It is best to wait 4 weeks after a positive test before getting dose 1, dose 2, or dose 3 

• It is best to wait 4 weeks after a positive test before getting your booster, as long as the last COVID-19 vaccine was at least 3 months ago.  

•  If a bivalent vaccine dose was given since August 15, 2022, no further dose is required for now.  

• People who have received a monovalent vaccine since August 15 may be eligible to receive a bivalent vaccine 6 months after that monovalent vaccine dose. Please check with a nurse at your CMC.