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. 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?
The Province of Ontario also has a COVID-19 communications resources page with resources in multiple languages, including resources on vaccine facts and vaccine safety.
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 - COVID-19 Vaccine What You Need to Know: Use this plain language information sheet to educate your community. Print and send to members or share a digital copy.
- COVID-19 Vaccine, What you need to know (Region of Waterloo PDF)
| COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet - What You Need to Know (Text only) |
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COVID-19 Vaccine What You Need to Know
COVID-19 is still a serious risk to Waterloo Region Most people who get COVID-19 do not have the vaccine. Serious illness may result in hospitalization and death. The vaccine protects you and your family. It also protects your neighbours. It will stop the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Two doses of vaccine, plus two weeks wait time gives your body time to build immunity. You can safely gather with others two weeks after your second dose of the vaccine. Your family and neighbours need two doses of the vaccine too. Please follow public health precautions when gathering with others.
The vaccine is safe and effective. All vaccines are carefully tested. The vaccine does not give you COVID-19. It does not change your DNA. It does not cause problems getting pregnant. These are myths.
The vaccine is available at:
You may need the vaccine if you travel outside of Canada. Talk to your family doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-514-1499 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 regionofwaterloo.ca/COVID19vaccine |
Fact Sheet - African, Caribbean and Black Community: 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 - African, Caribbean and Black Community (Region of Waterloo PDF)
| COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet - African, Caribbean and Black Community (Text only) |
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COVID-19 Vaccine What you need to know
The Black community is at higher risk for getting COVID-19.
What’s NOT in the vaccine? There are no pork products (gelatin), blood products, fetal cells or formaldehyde. It’s preservative free. There is no microchip in the vaccine.
Can it change my DNA? No. The vaccine does not change your DNA. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defences to build protection. They teach your body how to recognize and fight the virus.
Will the province use my information to track me in the future? Your information is only used to record the second dose and any adverse reaction. The province will not use your information to track you in the future.
How did they develop it so quickly? The need for the vaccine was urgent. People from around the world worked together. They built on decades of research on viruses like COVID-19 to create the vaccine. Increased funding and fewer delays helped speed the process.
How do we know it is safe? Canada has very high standards for vaccine safety. In Ontario, there are 773 adverse event reports after 1.16 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Most reported allergic skin reactions. This included pain/redness/swelling at the injection site. (Data collected December 13, 2020 - March 13, 2021, Source: Public Health Ontario)
Side effects can develop in the day or two after receiving the vaccine. In rare cases, serious allergic reactions can happen. In most cases, reactions can be treated and are usually temporary.
Can I pre-register now? To find out, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccinePreReg or call 519-575-4400. Vaccination by appointment. No walk-ins.
Where to get vaccinated:
Remember to bring identification. Please continue to follow public health measures:
Get vaccinated. Protect your loved ones.
Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-575-4400 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 regionofwaterloo.ca/COVID19vaccine #TeamVaccineWR |
After care information sheet: Use this plain language information sheet about what you need to know after getting a vaccine to educate your community. Print and send to members or share a digital copy.
- COVID-19 Vaccine After Care Sheet (Region of Waterloo PDF)
| COVID-19 Vaccine After Care Sheet (Text only) | ||||
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COVID-19 Vaccination Thank you for getting vaccinated and for doing your part to help protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from COVID-19.
Although allergic reactions are very rare, clinic staff will ask you to wait for 15–30 minutes after getting the vaccine to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. Please let clinic staff know if you feel unwell or experience any of the following symptoms while you wait:
After you leave Side effects can develop in the day or two after receiving the vaccine.
Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 / TTY: 1-866-797-0007 or your primary care provider if:
Call 9-1-1 if you have:
When will I get my second dose? To book your second dose appointment visit: regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccineBook
or call 519-514-1499. Please select a date at least 28 days after your first dose.
Remember to tell your family physician/nurse practitioner you received the COVID-19 vaccine at your next appointment.
How can I help once I get vaccinated?
Now that I have the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask? Yes, building immunity takes time. You need two doses of the vaccine spaced apart. It takes 7 to 14 days after your second dose to reach full protection. You must continue to wear a mask after you get the vaccine. Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection.
Once I get vaccinated, can I go visit my friends and family? We do not have enough data. It is unclear if the vaccine prevents symptomless infection or reduces transmission. Even after you are vaccinated, you can still get, carry and pass COVID-19 onto others.
It is important that you continue to follow public health measures after you are fully vaccinated:
Talk to a real person 24/7 in over 200 languages: 519-575-4400 Deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608 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!
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- 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.
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Videos: Share these videos with your members or audience by email, on your website or on social media.
- How to use the Google Translate feature on the Region of Waterloo website
- Dr. Kelly Grindrod, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy explains "How mRNA vaccines work"
- COVID-19 Vaccine Community Stakeholder Information Session, recorded on February 18, 2021
- Region of Waterloo COVID-19 Community Updates, watch the livestream every Friday at 11:30 a.m.
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, 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.
- 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 Vaccine Distribution Task Force, Government of Ontario or Government of Canada).
- Read our Twitter tips.
Social media frames: Use these frames to share the news that you or someone you know has gotten a vaccine. Encourage your community to use the frames when they get vaccinated.
- Invite your audience to post vaccination selfies on social media and use these frames with the hashtags #TeamVaccineWR and #WhatsYourWhyWR.
- Look for the Facebook profile picture frame and Instagram stories GIF sticker by searching for "TeamVaccineWR."
Social media posts
What's your why?
After you receive your COVID-19 vaccination, add a band aid sticker or frame to your social media posts along with hashtags #WhatsYourWhyWR and #TeamVaccineWR, to encourage others to get their vaccine.
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English
Chinese
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Hindi Punjabi
Spanish
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Swahili
Turkish
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Add to your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profile picture: Visit our Twibbon campaign page. You will need to grant Twibbon access to apply the sticker to your profile picture. To use for your Instagram profile picture, download the picture from Twibbon and upload it to your Instagram profile. You can also search for the “TeamVaccineWR” frame in Facebook.
Add to your social media posts: Download and add to your picture through your photo editor.
To download, click "download image". This will open a new window. Right click on the sticker image and select "Save image as. . ."
Use as a GIF sticker in your Instagram stories: Search for "TeamVaccineWR" or “WhatsYourWhyWR”. See the social media toolkit for examples.
See the Community and Cultural Resources page for more translated materials.
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Twitter and Facebook frames: Add one of these frames to your Twitter and Facebook posts. Download a frame, add it to your picture through your photo editor app, and share your reason for why you are getting vaccinated.
Example: Getting vaccinated means I can spend our upcoming anniversary with our family and start seeing loved ones again. #WhatsYourWhyWR |
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Instagram frames: Add one of these frames to your Instagram posts. Download a frame and add it to your picture through your photo editor app.
Example:
I got vaccinated for my students. I can’t wait to be back with them in class. #WhatsYourWhyWR #TeamVaccineWR |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
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Sample message: Stay up to date with the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. Get your information from reliable sources: Sample message: Want to learn more about how vaccines are developed in Canada? Check out this video from @GovCanHealth: youtu.be/Y51ZgZCS8J0. For local information about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine |
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Looking for translated COVID-19 vaccine information? @GovCanHealth has a COVID-19 vaccine tip sheet available in many languages. Find it here: regionofwaterloo.ca/VaccineTranslatedResources |
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Questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Check out the Region of Waterloo's vaccine FAQ page: regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDVaccineFAQs |
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Building immunity takes time. Until vaccines are widely available, we need to continue COVID-19 safety precautions to keep everyone safe. For more info visit regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine |
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COVID-19 vaccination builds defenses against COVID-19. This is a team effort. We all play a key part of the defense. Getting a vaccine will add one more layer of protection for you, your coworkers and your loved ones. Join #TeamVaccineWR regionofwaterloo.ca/COVIDvaccine |
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