COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that spreads through droplets when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.

Protect yourself and others from the effects of respiratory viruses like COVID-19 by following public health measures and advice and staying up to date on vaccinations.

On this page:

Information for Health Care Providers

Symptoms and complications

COVID-19 symptoms typically appear between 3 and 7 days after exposure. Symptoms vary from person to person. Visit the Government of Canada’s list of COVID-19 symptoms for more information.

Most people with mild COVID-19 symptoms will recover on their own at home. If you develop severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Testing and treatment

Testing is recommended if you have COVID-19 symptoms and are at a higher risk of severe illness (for example, if you are immunocompromised) and may benefit from antiviral treatment.

Antiviral treatments are available through consultation with a health care provider or participating pharmacies for people with symptoms who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. Treatments must be taken within the first 5 to 7 days of your symptoms starting.

For more information about the different types of COVID-19 tests and treatments available and how to access them, visit the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing and treatment webpage.

Spring COVID-19 vaccine availability

Starting in April, COVID-19 vaccines are available for specific populations at high-risk of infection who live, work or go to school in Ontario. Availability may vary. Call ahead to ensure your pharmacy or health care provider has supplies before going.

Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine

Pharmacies and health care providers

Many pharmacies in Waterloo Region offer COVID-19 vaccines. Visit COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations to find a participating pharmacy near you.

Please note: Some pharmacies may not give COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months to under 5 years old. Contact the pharmacy before booking an appointment.

To receive a COVID-19 vaccine from your health care provider, contact their office directly, especially if you are in a high-risk population.

Public Health vaccination clinics

We are currently only booking COVID-19 vaccine appointments for high-risk populations. High-risk individuals or children under 5 years old who do not have a health care provide or OHIP can call 519-575-4400 to book an appointment. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Homebound options

If you are in need of a homebound vaccination for COVID-19 or other publicly funded vaccines, contact Ontario Health at Home, your local pharmacy or health care provider for available options.

COVID-19 vaccine records

As of March 13, 2026, COVID-19 vaccine certificates are no longer available for download via the provincial website. These records are being transferred to public health units and will become available in Fall 2026. Once Region of Waterloo Public Health has the COVID-19 vaccine records, you will be able to download a record of your COVID-19 and other reported vaccines through our Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) portal. For more information on vaccine records, visit Vaccine Reporting.  

Where can I report a vaccine received outside of Ontario?

We are currently unable to process Out of Province COVID-19 Immunization Form submissions. Please come back later this spring to submit the form if you meet one of the criteria below.

Waterloo region residents who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside Ontario, and who meet one of the following criteria, should complete the Out of Province COVID-19 Immunization Form to add the vaccine to their records.

Submit the form for:

  • Children less than 5 years old who received their initial COVID-19 vaccines (primary series) with vaccines that are not Health Canada-approved. This ensures they have completed the appropriate number of doses for optimal protection.
  • People 5 years old or older who received one or more COVID-19 vaccines within the last 3 months that are not Health Canada-approved. This ensures that any future doses are given at the appropriate time.

Note: Public Health will only process form submissions for people who meet one of the two criteria above. 

COVID-19 vaccines received in Ontario do not need to be reported. When you receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario, it is documented for you.

For more information, visit Ontario's COVID-19 page.

Information for schools, child care centres and workplaces

Public Health Ontario’s COVID-19: Schools and Related Settings page contains resources on COVID-19 prevention. Questions about how provincial guidelines are implemented should be directed to your school administrator or child care operator.

Tools and guidance for Ontario workplaces are available on the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 and workplace health and safety webpage. Outbreak prevention information and reporting for employers of international agricultural workers are available on our Infection Prevention for Workplaces page.

Additional resources

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