COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Everyone 12 years of age and older in Waterloo Region can book a vaccine. 

Youth 12-17 years of age must book at a clinic that is offering Pfizer. This is the only vaccine approved by Health Canada for individuals 12-17 years of age.

Immunization is a treatment for the prevention of disease and therefore needs consent.

There is no minimum age for giving consent under the Health Care Consent Act, 1996 of Ontario. If the individual is deemed by the nurse to be able to consent, they can sign their own consent form to receive their vaccine.

As a parent or guardian discuss immunization with your child. Your child needs to know about:

• Previous reactions to vaccines they may have had
• Present health concerns, including medications they are taking and allergies to antibiotics or components of the vaccine
• Your views on health and immunization 

Due to increased vaccine supply the Ontario government is inviting all Ontarians to receive their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier than the extended four-month interval. You can change your second dose appointment to an earlier date through our self-serve booking.

Are the vaccines effective against the new reported variants of COVID-19?

With the vaccines approved by Health Canada to date so far, we are still seeing vaccine effectiveness with current variants. Health Canada will continue to monitor this.  

Learn more about variants. 

Studies of COVID-19 vaccines have shown that they are very effective at preventing people from becoming sick with COVID-19. However, right now we do not have enough information to show us how likely it is that someone who has been given a COVID-19 vaccine can develop an asymptomatic (no symptoms) COVID-19 infection and pass it to others.  

While there is early evidence suggesting that the vaccine may also reduce COVID-19 transmission, National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending that everyone continue to practice public health measures (e.g. wearing a face mask and physical distancing) regardless of whether or not they received a COVID-19 vaccine. More information on the vaccine’s ability to reduce COVID-19 transmission is expected in the near future.  

This means the vaccines will protect those who receive it from getting sick, but it is possible that someone who has been vaccinated could still carry the virus and pass the virus on to others, although it would likely be at a much lower rate. 

Learn more about how you can protect yourself and others on the Region of Waterloo COVID-19 page. 

Individuals are advised to discuss any concerns with their health care provider when they are invited to be vaccinated. Doctors, nurses and vaccinators will be fully informed of vaccine characteristics, effectiveness and risks.

Public Health does not provide individual medical advice or care. If you have questions or concerns about your general health, or questions about COVID-19 symptoms, please speak with your health care provider, walk-in clinic/urgent care centre or a local emergency room.

Please also refer to the precautions listed on our COVID-19 Vaccine page.

Can I get a different vaccine for my second dose?

The best vaccine for your second dose is the vaccine that is available first. All vaccines provided in Ontario provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants.

Mixing vaccines is safe, effective, and enables more Ontarians to receive their second dose sooner. 

Learn more on our Second Dose Information page.

How do the COVID-19 vaccines protect against COVID-19?

Vaccines reduce risks of getting a disease by working with your body’s natural defences to build protection.

mRNA vaccines:

mRNA vaccines teach your body’s cells how to make a protein from the virus that will trigger an immune response and create antibodies. These antibodies help us fight the infection if the real virus does enter our body in the future as they recognize this protein. mRNA vaccines do not contain the virus and cannot give you COVID-19.

• Learn more about mRNA vaccines on the Government of Canada COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine page.
• Watch now: Dr. Kelly Grindrod, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy explains "How mRNA vaccines work"

Viral vector vaccines:

These vaccines use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus, as a delivery system. This “vector” virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19. Adenoviruses are among the viruses that can cause the common cold. There are many different types of adenoviruses, and many have been used as delivery systems for other vector-based vaccines for decades.

When a person is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine produces the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus that causes COVID-19. This protein will not make you sick. It does its job and goes away.

Through this process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the spike protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.

• Learn more on the Government of Canada viral vector-based vaccines for COVID-19 page.
• Read University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy Q&A with the experts AstraZeneca and viral vector vaccines.

How do I report an adverse reaction to the vaccine?

Vaccine side effects are being monitored as people receive the vaccine. If you get a reaction to the vaccine, contact your health care provider who will report the side effect directly to Public Health. Public Health will keep track of the reported side effects to make sure the vaccines continue to be safe.

I am planning to get pregnant. Will the vaccine affect my chance of getting pregnant in the future? 

There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines causes problems with pregnancy or fertility. If you have concerns about COVID-19 immunization during pregnancy, you should speak to your physician about the risk and benefit of vaccination.

If I get a different vaccine type for my second dose, will I have to get more than two doses?

No. An individual is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their second dose of a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine. The two doses do not need to be of the same vaccine. For example, you can receive AstraZeneca for your first dose and either AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer for your second dose. 

Three doses has not been recommended.

Where can I get more information on clinics for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents?

Visit our Resources for First Nations, Métis and Inuit page for information about the vaccine. To learn more about clinics visit Clinics for First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents. 

After your COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to keep following safety measures. 

Even once protected, you can still carry COVID-19 and pass the virus onto others.

It is important that you continue to follow public health measures after you are vaccinated:

• Only have close contact with your household members, or one other household, exclusively, if you live alone
• Avoid indoor gatherings, visit with other households outdoors
• Practice physical distancing
• Wear a face covering
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded places

If you develop any symptoms stay home, isolate from household members and schedule an appointment for testing.

Yes. After your COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to keep following safety measures. 

Even once protected, you can still carry COVID-19 and pass the virus onto others.

It is important that you continue to follow public health measures after you are vaccinated:

• Only have close contact with your household members, or one other household, exclusively, if you live alone
• Avoid indoor gatherings, visit with other households outdoors
• Practice physical distancing
• Wear a face covering
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces and crowded places

If you develop any symptoms stay home, isolate from household members and schedule an appointment for testing.