Close Alert Banner
Close Browser Compatibility Banner
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip navigation
Back to Homepage
  • Living Here

    • A to Z Services
    • Animal Services and Control
    • Child Care and Early Learning
    • Community Services
    • Community Gardens
    • Council Members
    • COVID-19 INFORMATION CENTRE
    • Education and Schools
    • Emergency Services, Response and Planning
    • Employment Support
    • Environmental Sustainability
    • Events Calendar
    • Financial Assistance
    • Food Banks
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Home Renovations
    • Housing and Shelter
    • New to Canada or Waterloo Region
    • News and Public Notices
    • Older Adults
    • Roads and Traffic
    • Safety and Crime Prevention
    • Taxes
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water and Wastewater
  • Exploring the Region

    • About Waterloo Region
    • Airport
    • Archives
    • Arts, Culture and Heritage
    • Events Calendar
    • Exploring the Region
    • Forests and Trails
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Museums
    • Transportation and Transit
  • Doing Business

    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Commercial Waste
    • Community Profile
    • Construction and Design Standards
    • Economic Development
    • Health Standards for Business
    • Incentive Programs
    • Key Initiatives
    • Key Sectors
    • Operating a Child Care Business
    • Payment Options
    • Planning and Development Services
    • Regional Investments
    • Spills Prevention and Response
    • Surplus Auction
    • Workplace Wellness
  • Health and Wellness

    • Alcohol and Drugs
    • Cannabis Vaping and Tobacco
    • Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
    • Dementia Services
    • Environmental Health
    • Food and Drinking Water
    • Health Services and Resources
    • Healthy Living
    • Immunizations and Vaccines
    • Infection and Disease
    • Older Adult Health
    • Parenting and Child Health
    • Pregnancy and Baby's First Year
    • Public Health and Emergency Services
    • Public Health Inspections
    • Rehabilitation and Respite Care
    • School Health
    • Sexual Health
    • Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care
    • Sunnyside Wellness Centre
    • Youth Health
  • Regional Government

    • Agendas, Minutes and Webcasts
    • Awards
    • Budget and Financial Statements
    • By-laws
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Contact Us
    • Council
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Elections
    • News and Public Notices
    • Open Government
    • Provincial Offences Court and Traffic Tickets
    • Public Engagement
    • Regional Responsibilities - Who Does What in Government
    • Reports, Plans and Data
    • Strategic Plan
    • I want to...

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our YouTube Page

  • Infection and Disease
    Toggle Section
    • COVID-19
      Toggle Section
      • Adults and COVID-19
      • Children/Teens and COVID-19
      • Coronavirus FAQs
      • Coronavirus media briefing notes
      • COVID-19 assessment and testing centres in Waterloo Region
      • COVID-19 community supports
      • COVID-19 Coordinated Response - Newsletter
      • COVID-19 list of closures and service changes
      • COVID-19 vaccine
      • Face Coverings
      • Resources for health professionals
      • Resources for child care centres
      • Resources for tenants and landlords
      • Resources for workplaces
        Toggle Section
        • Re-opening Mobile/Temporary Food Services
        • Re-opening Personal Service Settings
        • Re-opening Recreational Water
      • Return to school
        Toggle Section
        • COVID-19 Private School Guidance
      • Submit a COVID-19 complaint
      • Submit a COVID-19 question
      • Waterloo Region COVID-19 Summary
      • Waterloo Region COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force
    • Cancer
    • HIV and AIDS
    • Infection Prevention and Control Lapse Reports
    • Infectious Disease
    • Insect and Animal Diseases
    • Preventing Infections
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    • Tuberculosis
  • Alcohol and Drugs
    Toggle Section
    • Alcohol
    • Cannabis
    • Consumption and Treatment Services
    • Harm Reduction
    • Waterloo Region Opioid Response Plan
    • Where to Get Help
  • Cannabis Vaping and Tobacco
    Toggle Section
    • Cannabis
      Toggle Section
      • Edibles, topicals and extracts
    • Second-Hand Smoke
    • Smoking Enforcement
    • Tobacco
      Toggle Section
      • Quit Smoking Medications
    • Vaping
    • Where to Get Help
  • Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan
  • Dementia Services
    Toggle Section
    • Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care
    • Sunnyside Campus
    • Sunnyside Foundation
    • Quality Care
    • Volunteers, Placements, and Careers
  • Environmental Health
    Toggle Section
    • Air Quality
    • Cooling and Warming Centres
    • Extreme Cold
    • Extreme Heat and Humidity
    • In the Home
    • LED Lights
    • Shade
    • Trichloroethylene
  • Food and Drinking Water
    Toggle Section
    • Drinking Water
    • Food Poisoning
    • Food Safety
    • Food Skills
    • Healthy Eating
  • Health Services and Resources
    Toggle Section
    • Find a Doctor
    • Health Care Providers
    • Healthy Kids Community Challenge
    • Hospitals
    • Parenting Support
    • Personal Health Privacy
    • Public Health Resource Library
    • Student Placements at Public Health
    • Types of Careers in Public Health
    • Walk-in Clinics
  • Healthy Living
    Toggle Section
    • Concussions
    • Food Skills
    • Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Relationships
    • Home Safety
    • Mental Wellness
    • Peer Program
    • Physical Activity
    • Sun Safety
    • Tattoos and Piercings
  • Immunizations and Vaccines
    Toggle Section
    • Flu
    • Hepatitis
    • HPV
    • Immunization Reporting
    • Meningitis
    • School Immunization
    • Travel Vaccines
    • Vaccine Schedule
  • Older Adult Health
    Toggle Section
    • Older Adult Vaccines
    • Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
    • Physical Activity and Older Adults
    • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Parenting and Child Health
    Toggle Section
    • Child Safety
    • Children with Special Needs
    • Breastfeeding
    • Dental Health
    • Growth and Development
    • Healthy Eating and Children
    • Parenting Support
    • Physical Activity and Children
    • Positive Parenting
    • The Talk
    • Visual Health
  • Pregnancy and Baby's First Year
    Toggle Section
    • Artificial Baby Milk (Formula)
    • Baby Friendly Initiative
    • Breastfeeding
    • Child Safety
    • Feeding Your Baby Solids
    • Growth and Development
    • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Infant Sleep
    • Now Your Baby is Here
    • Online Prenatal Program
    • Planning for Pregnancy
  • Public Health and Emergency Services
  • Public Health Inspections
    Toggle Section
    • Beaches and Pools
    • Drinking Water
    • Food Safety
    • Salons and Spas
    • Tattoos and Piercings
  • Rehabilitation and Respite Care
    Toggle Section
    • Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care
    • Sunnyside Supportive Housing
    • Sunnyside Campus
    • Convalescent Care
    • Dementia Services
    • Respite
    • Sunnyside Wellness Centre
    • Sunnyside Foundation
    • Quality Care
    • Volunteers, Placements, and Careers
  • School Health
    Toggle Section
    • Active and Safe Routes to School
    • Health Enforcement
    • Playground Activity Leaders in Schools
    • Public Health Curriculum Support
    • Public Health Services
    • Return to school
    • Supporting Healthy Schools
  • Sexual Health
    Toggle Section
    • Contraception
    • Puberty and Sexual Health
    • Sexual Health Services
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    • HIV and AIDS
  • Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care
    Toggle Section
    • Sunnyside Supportive Housing
    • Sunnyside Wellness Centre
    • Quality Care
    • Sunnyside Campus
    • Sunnyside Foundation
    • Volunteers, Placements, and Careers
  • Sunnyside Wellness Centre
    Toggle Section
    • Sunnyside Campus
    • Sunnyside Supportive Housing
    • Rehabilitation and Respite Care
    • Sunnyside Foundation
    • Quality Care
    • Volunteers, Placements, and Careers
  • Youth Health
    Toggle Section
    • Alcohol Drugs and Youth
    • Healthy Eating and Teens
    • Physical Activity and Teens
    • Puberty and Sexual Health
    • Young Adults and Smoking Cessation

COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Home/.../Infection and Disease/COVID-19/COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine

Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses like COVID-19. 

The Province’s three-phase vaccination program is now in Phase 1. This phase prioritizes health care workers, essential caregivers, long-term care home and retirement home residents, First Nation communities and urban Indigenous populations, including Métis and Inuit adults. As more supply becomes available, the Province will move to Phase 2 as early as March 2021.

Vaccination clinics across the province are not open to the general public at this time. COVID-19 vaccination for the broader community will not be available in Waterloo Region until summer or fall 2021 when the province launches Phase 3. Currently, Region of Waterloo Public Health and health care providers cannot schedule vaccine appointments for the general public and COVID-19 vaccine clinics do not maintain wait lists. 

Learn more about Ontario's three-phased vaccine distribution plan.

On this page

  • COVID-19 vaccines
  • When will vaccine be available in Waterloo Region?
  • How does the vaccine work?
  • Who will get a vaccine?
  • Is it effective?
  • Side effects
  • Precautions
  • Protect yourself and others
  • Resources

COVID-19 vaccines

Safe and reliable vaccines can help protect you and your family from COVID-19. They will be an important tool to help stop the spread of the virus. The province is leading distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario. For more information, please visit COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario.

Health Canada have authorized two COVID-19 vaccines for use in Canada - Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Several other vaccines are currently at various stages of regulatory approval by Health Canada. Vaccine manufacturers were encouraged to apply through the interim order process, which allowed Health Canada to start the review process much sooner than usual. This allows them to submit all new data and evidence as it becomes available, instead of waiting until all studies are completed. 

The federal government dedicated more scientific, financial and human resources to complete these reviews, so that they were done as quickly as possible.

Health Canada’s independent evaluation of scientific and medical evidence for safety, efficacy and quality of COVID-19 vaccines has been maintained, and Health Canada will make publicly available any safety and efficacy evidence used to issue expedited authorization.

Back to top

When will vaccine be available in Waterloo Region?

The Province’s three-phase vaccination program is now in Phase 1. The first shipment of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Waterloo Region in December 2020. This supply was used to vaccinate for people who are at higher risk for COVID-19, as identified by the Government of Ontario. 

Phase 1 prioritizes health care workers, essential caregivers, long-term care home and retirement home residents, First Nation communities and urban Indigenous populations, including Métis and Inuit adults.

Phase 2 of the plan is expected to begin as early as March 2021 in Ontario, depending on availability of vaccines. The following groups will receive vaccines in Phase 2:

  • older adults, beginning with those 80 and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout
  • people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (for example, shelters, community living)
  • frontline essential workers, including first responders, teachers and other education staff and the food processing industry
  • individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers

Once the COVID-19 vaccines are widely available to the community in Phase 3, which will start as early as summer 2021, the goal is for everyone in Waterloo Region to be able to get vaccinated if they want to.

Vaccination clinics across the province are not open to the general public at this time. Currently, Region of Waterloo Public Health and health care providers cannot schedule vaccine appointments for the general public and COVID-19 vaccine clinics do not maintain wait lists.

As phases launch, communication about where and when residents can receive the vaccine will be shared broadly. The goal is to ensure every single person in Waterloo Region who wants to be vaccinated, is able to be. This is the best way to ensure everyone is protected from the virus in the future. Members of the public are asked to continue to follow public health guidelines to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading in our community.

Visit the Waterloo Region COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force page for more information.

Back to top

How does the vaccine work?

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

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are an mRNA vaccine. This vaccine tells your body's cells to make "spike proteins." The spike proteins are specific to the virus that causes COVID-19. Your immune system will respond to the spike proteins by making antibodies that will fight off infection. Your new antibodies will break down the spike proteins and get rid of them. In clinical trials the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was shown to be 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning one week after the second dose. And, the Moderna shown to be 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 14 days after the second dose.  

The vaccine does not contain the virus and so it cannot give you COVID-19.

Back to top

Who will get a vaccine?

At this time, the Government of Ontario is prioritizing vaccines for people who are most vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 or at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is currently authorized for use in people 16 years of age and over. And, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is currently authorized for use in people 18 years of age and over. Further clinical trials are underway with children of all age groups, so the vaccine could be approved for use in children in the future.

Back to top

Where can I get the vaccine?

The Province’s vaccination program is in Phase 1 for health care workers in hospitals, long-term care homes and retirement homes, other congregate care settings and remote Indigenous communities. Waterloo Region has begun vaccinating health care workers, long-term care homes’ staff and residents. These clinics will not open to the public at this time.

When more vaccines become available, it is expected that Ontario will continue to expand the vaccine program. For more information on the phased vaccine program and priority groups, please visit COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario.

Back to top

Is it effective?

There are differences between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine. Select a vaccine below to learn more:

Pfizer-BioNTech

Two doses of the vaccine are required for full protection, given 21 days apart. It can be given to people 16 years of age and older, including older adults. After completing the two-doses, it may take another seven days to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19. At this time, there is no information on the long-term protection with this vaccine. In clinical trials, the vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 1 week after the second dose. This means that people may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until at least 7 days after the second dose.   

Moderna

Two doses of the vaccine are required for full protection, given one month apart. It can be given to people 18 years of age and older, including older adults. After completing the two-doses, it may take another 14 days to achieve maximum protection against COVID-19. At this time, there is no information on the long-term protection with this vaccine. In clinical trials, the vaccine was 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 beginning 2 weeks after the second dose. This means that people may not be fully protected against COVID-19 until at least 14 days after the second dose.  

There is a small chance that you may still get COVID-19 after being vaccinated. As such, it is very important to continue with public health measures such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you are sick. Health care and other staff must still wear personal protective equipment (PPE) even after they have been vaccinated.  

Back to top

Side effects

Some people may experience side effects from the vaccine, but they will likely be moderate and resolve after a few days. Some of the symptoms are part of the body’s response to developing immunity.

Common side effects that have been reported in the clinical trials for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine include:

Very common ≥10%
(more than 1 in 10 doses)
Common 1-10%
(1 in 100 to 1 in 10 doses)
Uncommon 1%
(1 in 100 doses)
Very rare
  • Pain at the injection site
  • Headache
  • Feeling tired
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Fever or chills

Redness and swelling at the injection site

Enlarged lymph nodes Serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis 

In rare cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can occur. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. Vaccine side effects will continue to be monitored as people receive the vaccine. If you have a reaction to the vaccine, it is important to contact your health care provider who will report the side effect directly to public health. As part of the surveillance work, public health will keep track of the reported side effects and adjust its guidance as required.  

Back to top

Precautions

  • Delay getting vaccinated if you have a fever or are sick with COVID-19 symptoms

  • If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby*
  • Avoid trying to get pregnant for at least two months after getting both doses of the vaccine  

  • If you have an autoimmune disorder or a weakened immune system due to illness or treatment*

  • People with a bleeding disorders or who are on blood thinner medications should consult their health care provider before getting vaccinated

* These groups were not part of the initial clinical trial of the vaccine COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your health care provider first to inform your decision making process.

Do not get this vaccine, if you

  • are under 16 years of age Pfizer-BioNTech / 18 years of age Moderna

  • have allergies to any vaccine ingredients, including polyethylene glycol

  • have a severe reaction to a previous dose of this vaccine

Back to top

Protect yourself and others

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.

In most cases, 80 to 95% of the population must be immune to a disease to stop its spread and achieve herd immunity.

Until vaccines are widely available, we all must continue to:

  • Avoid social gatherings with those outside your immediate household
  • Limit non-essential trips outside your home
  • 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
  • Stay home when you are sick

Back to top

Resources

  • What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine (video - Region of Waterloo Public Health)
  • COVID-19 about vaccines (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccine after care sheet (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccine availability and rollout (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccine ethical framework for distribution (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet (PDF - Region of Waterloo Public Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario (web page - Province of Ontario)
  • COVID-19 vaccination guidance for prioritizing health care workers (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for special populations (PDF - Ministry of Health)
  • COVID-19 vaccine safety (web page - Province of Ontario)
  • Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario (web page - Province of Ontario)
  • Resources for Health Professionals (web page - Region of Waterloo Public Health)

Back to top

Subscribe to this Page

Contact Us

ROW logo

City of Cambridge

City of Kitchener

City of Waterloo

Township of North Dumfries

Township of Wellesley

Township of Wilmot

Township of Woolwich

© 2020 Region of Waterloo, 150 Frederick St., Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4J3, Telephone: 519-575-4400,  Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608, Fax: 519-575-4481, Email Us

AccessibilityContact UsWebsite FeedbackPrivacy StatementTerms of UseSitemapCareers and Volunteering
Designed by eSolutionsGroup

I Want To...

Report or Request

  • By-law concern
  • Concern with construction and road closure
  • Concern with signs and signals
  • Found a needle
  • Immunization records
  • Make a complaint
  • Make a complaint, compliment or feedback about transit
  • Report a waste collection issue
  • More...
  • View All..

Apply or Register

  • Affordable Housing
  • Help for a child with special needs in child care
  • Help to pay for child care
  • Home Child Care
  • Ontario Works
  • Permit or license
  • Volunteer
  • More...

Pay

  • For garbage tags
  • My water bill
  • My invoice
  • My Provincial offence or traffic ticket
  • More...

Talk to Us

  • Communicate with Council
  • Contact Us
  • Find information about community services
  • Provide input on Regional issues
  • Rate our services
  • Subscribe to news and alerts
  • More...

Search Results

Search Results: