COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Individuals born in 2009 are eligible for their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In Waterloo Region, you can visit a Regional vaccination clinic, pop-up clinic, mobile bus, participating pharmacy or family doctors.
Find information about how to get a vaccine.

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 

My child hasn’t turned 12 yet, are they eligible for a vaccine?

Am I eligible for a third dose?

A complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes, including against the Delta variant, in the general population.

In Ontario, select vulnerable populations are now eligible for a third dose.

A third dose may be administered at a minimum of eight weeks after the second dose for:

• Individuals receiving active treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies
• Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
• Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
• Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Individuals with stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22), high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.

A third dose may be administered at a minimum of five months after the second dose for:

• Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges

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. 

COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death and limiting the spread of the virus in a community, but vaccines do not remove all risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection. Some COVID-19 infections may occur among fully-vaccinated individuals, referred to as ‘breakthrough infection’.

Vaccines work by teaching our immune systems to fight off the virus so that we don’t become severely ill when we come into contact with it, but they cannot prevent us from coming into contact with the virus altogether. The protection a vaccine offers you also depends on the percentage of people around you who are also fully vaccinated (community immunity), other public health measures you follow, and how much of the virus is circulating. That is why everyone should continue to follow public health guidance and advice to protect community members from the transmission of COVID-19. The occurrence of breakthrough infections happens with all vaccines, not just with COVID-19 vaccines.

Your risk of getting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill or dying is significantly higher if you are not vaccinated, than if you are fully vaccinated. We also know that two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are more effective against the Delta variant.

Remember that it typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19 and to reach a level to protect us from severe illness. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 before or just after getting a vaccine.  For these reasons, it is important to continue following public health measures even after being vaccinated. This includes staying home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, wearing a mask, keeping a distance of 2 metres from others, and washing your hands often. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and others on the Region of Waterloo COVID-19 page. 

Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination data page for more information.

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. 

Log into Ontario’s portal to download or print your receipt. If you cannot find your receipt on the portal or have other questions, call the Service First Call Centre at 519-514-1499 or email us.

If you received any vaccine doses outside of Ontario, report it to Public Health and we will register these doses in the Province’s electronic immunization record.

I have a red and white health card. How can I get my vaccine receipt?

Individuals who have a red and white health card can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to arrange to receive their vaccine receipt by email. 

If you received all of your vaccine doses outside of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo is unable to provide an Ontario vaccine receipt at this time. A vaccination receipt from another jurisdiction that shows the holder is fully vaccinated can be used as proof of vaccination until further updates are available.

If you received any vaccine doses outside of Ontario, report it to Public Health and we will register these doses in the Province’s electronic immunization record.

I do not have a health card. How can I get my vaccine receipt?

Call the Service First Call Centre at 519-514-1499 or email us. Please state that you do not have a health card and provide your full name, an email address and a phone number. 

If you received all of your vaccine doses outside of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo is unable to provide an Ontario vaccine receipt at this time. A vaccination receipt from another jurisdiction that shows the holder is fully vaccinated can be used as proof of vaccination until further updates are available.

If you received any vaccine doses outside of Ontario, report it to Public Health and we will register these doses in the Province’s electronic immunization record.

Individuals can visit their local library or ask a trusted friend or organization to help print a copy.

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. 

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

Evidence suggests that the vaccines reduce the spread of COVID-19, either by preventing infection or by reducing the number of COVID-19 cases.

The spread of the virus will slow down or stop when a large percentage of the population becomes immune to COVID-19. This is known as herd immunity. Experts do not know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. 

This is why 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.

Is vaccination mandatory? 

No. COVID-19 vaccines will not be mandatory, but you are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

Effective 12:01 a.m. on September 22, 2021, Ontario requires patrons to provide proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access certain businesses and settings.

Are vaccines mandatory for businesses or events?

The Ontario Ministry of Health sets strategic directions and priorities for Ontario’s health systems, including public health. To achieve those directions and priorities, the Ontario Ministry of Health develops and enforces legislation and regulations such as the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Ontario Regulations.

Local public health units follow the guidance as outlined by the Ministry of Health. We are unable to provide specific advice to businesses or organizations regarding policy decisions for restricting access to their organization or event(s) based on vaccination status. If you are seeking legal advice about policy decisions in regards to individuals who are not vaccinated, we would recommend that you consult with a lawyer.

Effective 12:01 a.m. on September 22, 2021, Ontario requires patrons to provide proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to access certain businesses and settings. The Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act provides information for businesses and organizations implementing this requirement. A list of frequently asked questions about using your vaccination receipt, including a list of which settings will require proof of vaccination, can be found on the Ontario Newsroom website.

In addition, businesses can participate in the Waterloo COVID-19 Safe Ambassador Program to receive COVID-19 education and one-on-one guidance to help minimize risks. Businesses can also call the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4400 or email with inquiries 7 days a week. Up-to-date resources can be found on the Region of Waterloo Workplace page and additional information about business reopening can be found on the Reopening Ontario website.