COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Toolkit

When you support COVID-19 vaccination, you help protect your community.

Building defenses against COVID-19 is a team effort. We all play a part in the defense.  Soon Waterloo Region will have access to COVID-19 vaccines for the general public. Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection for you and your community.  Vaccines are an important tool to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

The Region of Waterloo has created this COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for our community partners. These tools will help you provide clear, correct information to the community that you live, work and serve in. 

• Who is this toolkit for?
• What is the purpose of this toolkit?
• How to use this toolkit?
• What is in the toolkit?
  • Social Media
• Where to find more information
  

 We will continue to add more materials to this toolkit. Please check back for updates.

Who is this toolkit for?

This toolkit is for anyone who works or serves this community. These include social service, faith-based, YMCAs and school organizations. Shelters, food banks, meal delivery services, senior centers, and many more.

What is the purpose of this toolkit?

This toolkit will help your organization educate community members about the COVID-19 vaccines in order to:

• raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination
• address common questions and concerns

How to use this toolkit

We ask that you review and adapt the materials to the language, tone and format that best fits your needs. You know what works best for your community.

What is in the toolkit?

The toolkit contains materials you can use virtually or in person. Please follow proper COVID-19 safety precautions for in person activities:

• Fact sheet:  Use this plain language information sheet to educate your community. Print and send to members or share a digital copy.
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (Region of Waterloo PDF)

    • COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet (Text only)

      COVID-19 Vaccines Protect yourself. Protect others. Vaccines are safe and reliable. They are the best way to protect you and your family from COVID-19.  Vaccine safety  Creating a new vaccine can take years. Yet, the progress on COVID-19 vaccines happened quickly for many reasons, including: Many years of research on viruses like COVID-19. Advances in science and technology. Scientists, health professionals, researchers, industry and governments all working together. Increased funding. People volunteering to take part in clinical trials. Fewer delays in the approval process. Before any vaccines are available, they: Pass a series of testing in studies to make sure they are safe and work. Are checked and approved for use by Health Canada. Canada has very high standards for vaccine safety. Health Canada only approves vaccines after an independent review. This means that the people who create the vaccine are not the same people who review it for safety. Once a vaccine is in use, Health Canada continue to keep an eye on it. Vaccine safety and benefits are also checked by the people who give them. This includes nurses, doctors and pharmacists.  Health Canada must approve all COVID-19 vaccines for use in Canada. Our supply of vaccine will not arrive all at once. As we get more vaccine, we will vaccinate more people in stages. The goal is for every person in Waterloo Region to get a COVID-19 vaccination, if they want one. This will happen when enough doses are available from the vaccine maker. How vaccines work  Vaccines reduce the risks of getting a disease. They work with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. Vaccines train your body to fight a virus if it enters your body. This protection can reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. It can also, make symptoms milder if you do get it. Vaccination is a powerful way to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Vaccines do not contain COVID-19 virus and cannot give you COVID-19.   Building immunity takes time  Vaccination helps keep you from getting sick. It is a useful tool in the fight against COVID-19. To slow or stop the spread of COVID-19 most people need to get the vaccine and become immune. You need two doses of the vaccine spaced apart. It takes 7 to 14 days after your second dose, to reach full protection. Even then, you can still carry and pass COVID-19 onto others. You must continue to wear a mask after you get the vaccine. Building defenses against COVID-19 is a team effort. Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection.  What can I do while I wait my turn?  Avoid gatherings with people that live outside your home.  Limit trips outside your home (groceries, medical appointments, work).  Stay 2 metres away from people you do not live with.  Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.  Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Avoid indoor spaces and crowded places.  Stay home when you are sick and isolate from others in your house.  If you have symptoms, make an appointment to be tested.  What are the side effects?  Some people have side effects from the vaccine. Most times, these are moderate and lessen after a few days. Some side effects are part of the body learning to build immunity:  pain at the injection site  headache  feeling tired  muscle or joint pain  fever or chills  redness or swelling at the injection site  In rare cases, serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can happen. In most cases, reactions can be treated and are usually temporary.  Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-575-4400 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 www.regionofwaterloo.ca/covid19vaccine  #TeamVaccineWR

• Posters:  Use these COVID-19 vaccine posters to inform members about the importance of vaccines. Print and post in your building(s) or share a digital copy.
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Stop the spread! Poster 8.5" x 11" (Region of Waterloo PDF)

    • COVID-19 Stop the spread! Poster (Text only)

      Stop the spread!  of COVID-19 Get the vaccine. • Protect yourself • Protect your loved ones • Protect your co-workers • Protect your community Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-575-4400 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 www.regionofwaterloo.ca/covid19vaccine  #TeamVaccineWR

  • COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Poster 8.5" x 11" (Region of Waterloo PDF)
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Poster 11" x 17" (Region of Waterloo PDF)

    • Vaccine Confidence Poster (Text only)

      Protect yourself. Protect others.  Get Vaccinated. Why should I get vaccinated against COVID-19? • Building defenses against COVID-19 is a team effort. We all play a key part of that defense. • Getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection for you, your loved ones and your coworkers. How can I help once I get vaccinated? • Share your story. • Tell others why you are getting vaccinated and encourage them to do the same. • Have conversations about COVID-19 vaccine with family, friends and coworkers. • Continue to follow public health measures. What can I do while I wait my turn? • Avoid gatherings with people that live outside your home. • Limit trips outside your home (groceries, medical appointments, work). • Stay two metres away from people you do not live with. • Wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. • Avoid indoor spaces and crowded places. • Stay home when you are sick and isolate from others in your house. • If you have symptoms, make an appointment to be tested. Join the team. Help fight COVID-19. Get vaccinated. We did it! #TeamVaccineWR Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-575-4400 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 www.regionofwaterloo.ca/covid19vaccine

• Infographic: Use this infographic to educate your community. Print and send to members or share a digital copy.
  • "Where can I go to get a COVID-19 Vaccine?" Infographic 11" x 17" (Region of Waterloo PDF)
• Social media posts: Use these key messages on your social media channels. Use the posts with the hashtag #TeamVaccineWR or include your own identity. Topics for social media include: vaccine safety and benefits, vaccine rollout, reliable sources for information and general vaccine updates.
• Adapt these key messages to the language, tone, and format that will best fit your needs. You know what works for your audience.
• Invite your audience to post vaccination selfies on social media and use the hashtag #TeamVaccineWR.
• Follow Region of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo Public Health social media channels for engagement opportunities. Feel free to engage via retweet, quote tweet or share on your social media channels.
• Continue to educate your audience via articles, blog posts, and social media posts from reliable sources.
• Include links to reliable sources in your posts (e.g.  Region of Waterloo Public Health, Region of Waterloo, Government of Ontario or Government of Canada).
• Read our Twitter tips.

Social media

Vaccine safety and benefits

Image	Sample message
Download image	Sample message: Vaccines reduce the risks of getting a disease. They work with your body’s natural defenses to build protection. Vaccines train your body to fight a virus if it enters your body. This protection can reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Learn more: regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine   Sample message: Vaccination is a proven way to reduce the impact of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines will help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us getting the illness. Learn more about the vaccines: canada.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	While getting COVID-19 may offer some natural immunity, the risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. Getting a vaccine will help protect you and your family. #TeamVaccineWR Learn more about the vaccines: regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	None of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. Symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more: canada.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	Vaccination helps keep you from getting COVID-19. The vaccines available in the Canada are more than 90% effective at preventing COVID-19, according to clinical trials. Vaccines are important tools to stop the pandemic. Join #TeamVaccineWR and get vaccinated. regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. Help stop the spread and get a COVID-19 vaccine when your turn comes. #TeamVaccineWR regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. This can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 and make your symptoms milder if you do get it. Learn more about the vaccines at regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine
Download image	The development of COVID-19 vaccines is happening quickly for many reasons, including: - advances in science and technology - international collaboration - increased funding Learn more about vaccine development at canada.ca/COVIDvaccine

Channels

Where to find more information

• COVID-19 FAQs
• COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
• Health Canada COVID-19: Social media and promotional resources