Se faire vacciner contre le 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, vaccination reduces your risk of developing the disease, and decreases the risk of severe COVID-19 related illnesses.

• Vaccines are an important tool to prevent disease and fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

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

• If you are concerned about the side effects that can occur after receiving the vaccine, please consider there is a difference between a few days of flu-like symptoms and full-blown COVID-19 severe illness that might make breathing so difficult you could need to be hospitalized far away from home and even be kept alive by a respirator.

• 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.  

 

• Quebec has changed the rules for health care workers and COVID-19 vaccination. Healthcare workers are no longer required to be fully vaccinated.  

• Any worker who is not fully vaccinated will be required to get tested on a regular basis while on the job.
  
   

• CBHSSJB staff and employees have received specific instructions from Human Resources about testing requirements for partially or unvaccinated people. You can also visit the MSSS website for more info. 

All patients and escorts aged 12 and over travelling on the CBHSSJB medical charter must have:  

• Proof of vaccination 

                     OR 

• Proof of a negative COVID test 72 hours before departure  

Starting October 30, 2021 at 3 pm, new Federal regulations for air travel come into effect. 

• These regulations affect passengers on both commercial flights and private charter flights, including the Cree Health Board Medical Charter. 

• To learn more, read the story here.  

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. 

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

The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine includes two (2) separate injections (shots) given on different days. 

• All people in Eeyou Istchee who are eligible for the vaccine will eventually get two (2) doses of the vaccine for long-term protection.

• Public Health officials are looking at how to optimize the vaccine doses currently available and are determining the best schedule for the second dose, given the need to protect as many people as quickly as possible.

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 1^st dose provides protection against severe forms of COVID-19. 

• The Cree Health Board recommends that people who took the 1^st dose should be vaccinated with the 2^nd dose, to increase the vaccine’s effectiveness and provide long-lasting protection.

Quebec’s recommendation for the Moderna vaccine is that the 2^nd dose be given up to 16 weeks after the 1st dose.  

• People who have received a 1st dose are protected from severe forms of the COVID-19 disease. 

• The 2^nd dose increases that layer of protection, once people receive it.

• Precautionary measures, like vaccination, physical distancing, wearing a mask and frequent hand-washing, will continue to protect us from COVID-19 variants.

Une dose de « rappel » est une dose supplémentaire de vaccin administrée après la série vaccinale initiale.

· La série vaccinale initiale entraîne le système immunitaire à reconnaître un virus spécifique et à produire des anticorps contre celui-ci.

· Les doses de rappel sont administrées afin que le système immunitaire de l’organisme se « souvienne » du virus qu’il doit combattre. Cela améliore et renforce l’immunité.

· Les doses de rappel sont généralement administrées lorsque les données montrent que l’immunité (protection) contre un virus provenant d’un vaccin diminue avec le temps.

· On peut vous proposer Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) ou Spikevax (Moderna) pour votre dose de rappel, quel que soit le vaccin que vous avez reçu lors de votre première série vaccinale.

· Une dose de rappel de Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) correspond à une dose complète, tandis que la dose de rappel de SpikeVax (Moderna) correspond à une demi-dose.

· Les taux d’anticorps sont beaucoup plus élevés après la dose de rappel qu’après l’administration de la série vaccinale initiale.

· La dose de rappel est offerte six mois après la deuxième dose de la série initiale.

· On constate actuellement une augmentation du nombre d’infections par le virus de la COVID-19.

· On s’attend à une augmentation des cas et des hospitalisations après la période des Fêtes, fort probablement en janvier ou février 2022.

· Les dernières données montrent une diminution progressive de la protection vaccinale contre les infections par le SRAS-CoV-2 dans tous les groupes d’âge, alors que la protection contre les formes graves de la maladie et les hospitalisations reste efficace.

· Une dose de rappel pourrait également augmenter la protection contre les nouveaux variants, comme le nouveau variant Omicron, mais des données supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour le confirmer.

· On n’a pas de données sur la durée de la protection conférée par une dose de rappel.

· Comme on sait que la production d’anticorps augmente après l’administration d’une dose de rappel, la protection pourrait durer plus longtemps que celle conférée par la série vaccinale initiale.

· Après une dose de rappel, on peut ressentir des effets secondaires comparables à ceux observés après l’administration des deux doses initiales.

· Cependant, il peut également y avoir un gonflement temporaire des ganglions lymphatiques aux aisselles (dans 5 à 20 % des cas), mais ce phénomène est courant et sans danger.

· Il peut y avoir une myocardite ou une péricardite (chez moins d’une personne sur 10 000). Cela est plus fréquent chez les hommes de moins de 30 ans (moins de cas sont observés avec le vaccin de Pfizer). Généralement, les symptômes sont légers, et le rétablissement est rapide. Attendre plus longtemps entre l’administration de la série vaccinale initiale et celle de la dose de rappel réduit le risque de myocardite ou de péricardite.

· Un très petit nombre de personnes – environ deux sur 100 000 – peuvent présenter une réaction allergique grave après avoir reçu un vaccin contre la COVID-19. Ces réactions surviennent dans les 15 minutes suivant l’injection; le personnel du Conseil Cri de la santé a tout le matériel d’urgence nécessaire, le cas échéant.

• It takes some time after getting your vaccine for your body to build up the necessary immunity.

• After getting the 2^nd dose, your body builds maximum protection after one week. 

• We do not know how long this protection will last, since this is a new (novel) disease and new vaccine. Medical researchers are gathering new knowledge about the vaccine and how long it offers protection.

• 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 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is approved in Canada for adults over the age of 18. 

• The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved by Health Canada for children 12-years-old and up on May 5, 2021.

• 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 Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines is the only contraindication to receive the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

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

• People with a history of severe allergic reaction to Polyethylene glycol (PEG) should not receive the Moderna or the Pfizer vaccine and should be referred to an allergist.

• The 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 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.

• The Cree Health website (creehealth.org) and social media (@Creehealth) will provide community information, including dates and location of vaccination clinics. 

• Local radio stations will also be used as a way to quickly update communities on the status of vaccinations.

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

Yes. Anyone who is eligible for the Moderna vaccine can still get vaccinated with a 1^st dose, even during the 2^nd dose campaign. 

Yes. 

• 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. 

• It is also recommended that people who had COVID-19 only receive one dose of the vaccine.

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/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.

• 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.

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

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

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

• With more safety data available about COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the CIQ (Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec) recommends favoring these vaccines in pregnant women.

• There is no known risk associated with the use of an inactivated vaccine in pregnant women.

• 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.

Breastfeeding women are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine according to the Quebec Immunization Protocol (Protocole d'immunisation du Québec, PIQ).

• Benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks for breastfeeding women.

• There is no known risk associated with the use of an inactivated vaccine in breastfeeding women.

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

• 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 contract COVID. The Cree Health Board strongly recommends that people living with diabetes get vaccinated.

According to the Quebec Immunization Committee (Comité sur l’immunisation du Québec, CIQ), the benefits of vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks for immunocompromised people. 

• However, the immune response to the vaccine may be reduced in people with suppressed immune systems. 

• 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 to any of the ingredients of the vaccine – like Polyethylene Glycol - should not receive the vaccine.

• 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.

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

• The 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 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.

Learn more about the vaccine from Immunization Protocol Quebec (Protocole D’immunisation du Québec) and Government of Quebec.

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.

Other vaccines could interfere with the COVID-19 vaccine. The recommendation is to:

• Receive the COVID-19 vaccine 2 weeks after any other vaccine, and wait 1 month (4 weeks) before receiving any other vaccine.

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

• Si vous avez reçu une dose de vaccin contre la COVID-19 au moins 21 jours après votre résultat positif au test de dépistage de la COVID-19, votre série vaccinale initiale est considérée comme complète.

• Vous n’aurez besoin d’une dose de rappel que six mois après votre dose de vaccin contre la COVID-19.

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.