COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. It spreads through droplets when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.

You can protect yourself and others from viruses like COVID-19. Follow public health advice and stay up to date on vaccines.

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms usually appear between three and seven days after exposure. Symptoms vary from person to person. Visit the Government of Canada’s list of COVID-19 symptoms  for more information.

Most people with mild COVID-19 symptoms will recover on their own at home. Call 911 or go to the hospital if you develop severe symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain

Testing and treatment

People who are at high risk for severe illness should talk to their health care provider about testing and antiviral treatments. For more information, visit the province’s COVID-19 testing and treatment webpage.

COVID-19 vaccines

Starting September 28, 2026, high-risk and priority populations can get a free flu and COVID-19 vaccines. You can review who is considered high-risk from COVID-19 infections on the province’s website. The vaccines will first be distributed to hospitals, long-term care homes and other congregate living settings, and will then become available through participating health care providers, pharmacies and Public Health.

Starting October 26, 2026, free flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available for everyone 6 months of age and older who lives, works or goes to school in Ontario.

When to get your COVID-19 vaccine

The Ontario Ministry of Health provides guidance on completing your initial COVID-19 vaccine series and when you should time your next vaccine dose. Visit COVID-19 vaccine timing.

Where to get a COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are available through many health care providers and participating local pharmacies. Availability may vary. Please check ahead before going.

Public Health will offer limited appointments for high risk people who do not have a health care provider or OHIP-card. Check back soon for booking details.

Vaccine administration for children between 6 months and 4 years old may vary across pharmacies. Contact the pharmacy first to confirm if they will administer to this age group. Young children can also receive their COVID-19 vaccine from a health care provider or through Public Health. Check back soon for Public Health appointment booking details.

In November and early December 2026, COVID-19 and flu vaccines will also be available from Public Health at Public Health Neighbourhood Bus visits and at Saturday clinics. Clinic details will be posted when available at regionofwaterloo.ca/vaccines.  

COVID-19 vaccine records

COVID-19 vaccine certificates are no longer available for download from the provincial website. Records are being transferred to public health units for Fall 2026. Once Region of Waterloo Public Health has the records, you will be able to download your record through our Immunize Connect Ontario (ICON) portal.

Where can I report a vaccine received outside of Ontario?

We are currently unable to process Out of Province COVID-19 Immunization Form submissions. Check back in Fall 2026 if you meet the criteria below.

Submit the Out of Province COVID-19 Immunization Form if:

You are a Waterloo Region resident who got a COVID-19 vaccine outside Ontario, AND you are one of the following:
- A child under 5 years old whose first COVID-19 vaccines (primary series) were not Health Canada-approved. This ensures you have completed the right number of doses for the best protection.
- A person 5 years old or older who got one or more COVID-19 vaccines in the last 3 months that are not Health Canada-approved. This ensures that you get future doses at the right time.

Note: Public Health only processes submissions if you meet one of the criteria above.

Health care providers record COVID-19 vaccines received in Ontario. You do not need to report them.

For more information visit Ontario's COVID-19 page.