Now Administering COVID-19 Vaccines!
Covid-19 FAQs
What vaccines are currently available in Canada?
Approved vaccines in Canada :
● Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine
● Moderna COVID vaccine
● AstraZeneca/Covishield COVID vaccine
● Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine
Are there any side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines?
In general, the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are similar to the side effects seen with other vaccines. They are usually mild or moderate and resolve a few days after vaccination. Side effects may include body chills, feeling feverish, feeling tired and pain at the injection site.
Like all vaccines, there is a rare chance of a serious side effect (e.g., an allergic reaction). If you have any specific concerns about the vaccines or are at risk of an allergic reaction, you should speak to your primary care provider.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine treat COVID-19?
The vaccine does not treat COVID-19; it helps prevent the infection. That is why we do not vaccinate people with active symptoms.
If a person has had COVID-19, will they still need to get the vaccine?
Yes, if someone had COVID-19, they should still receive the vaccine. They may not be immune to the virus, and therefore, could become ill again. However, if the vaccine supply is limited, initial doses of the vaccine may be prioritized for those who have not previously been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Suppose you have been previously diagnosed as having had COVID-19. In that case, you can check with your primary care physician or local public health authority to see when you will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Is one vaccine better than the other?
The best vaccine is the first one offered or available to you. Each COVID-19 vaccine goes through a rigorous approval process by Health Canada to ensure that they are safe and effective. In the research studies (called clinical trials) conducted before Health Canada approved the vaccines, each vaccine significantly reduced severe disease and COVID-19 related death.
Will I be able to choose the vaccine I want?
In most provinces and territories, you will not be given a choice. All of the vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective. They reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The vaccine you are offered will depend on several factors. These include what vaccine is approved for your age group and what vaccine is available.
Do I need to take both doses?
The majority of current vaccines available in Canada require two doses to give full protection. The second dose helps prolong your protection against COVID-19. Current recommendations suggest waiting at least 28 days after each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before getting another vaccine. It is also suggested that no other vaccine, aside from the flu or pneumococcal vaccines, should be received 14 days before the COVID-19 vaccine.
What is the recommended interval between the two doses?
The minimal recommended interval between doses for the Moderna & Pfizer vaccine is 21 days. The interval between doses for AstraZeneca is 28 days. Public Health's recommendations suggest an interval of 16 weeks between the two doses.
Can people 65 years old or older receive any available vaccine?
Yes. Generally speaking, all people 65 years or older in Canada should get whichever COVID-19 vaccine is offered to them. Health Canada has examined the evidence from the manufacturers’ clinical trials and has approved vaccines for people aged 18 and over (except for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is approved for people aged 16 and over).
Are pregnant or breastfeeding women able to take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women were not included in the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, and therefore, no data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in these populations.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that the vaccine may be offered to pregnant and breastfeeding women (who also fall within the approved age group) if the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweigh any potential risks. To help with their decision-making, pregnant and breastfeeding women considering the vaccine should have a conversation with their health care professional to weigh the risks and benefits.
Can I travel after having my COVID-19 vaccine?
The Government of Canada continues to recommend that people avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada, regardless of their COVID-19 immunization status. If you must travel, whether within Canada or abroad, it is recommended that you still follow public health guidance while travelling and while at
your destination. It is also essential to be aware of public health requirements in place for people returning to Canada, such as testing and quarantine.
Are there any drug interaction warnings for any of the COVID-19 vaccines?
There are currently no drug interaction warnings for any of the COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada. In other words, receiving the vaccine should not prevent your medication(s) from working, your medication(s) should not prevent the vaccine from working, and the vaccine and your medication(s) will not interact with each other in a harmful way.
Can a person transmit the virus to others after being vaccinated?
Yes, this could be possible if:
● The individual was infected with the virus in the two weeks before or shortly after being vaccinated for COVID-19 before being considered immune.
● The individual is part of the group of vaccine recipients in whom the vaccine isn’t effective. Vaccines are never 100% effective, which means that while they effectively protect most people, they won’t protect everyone.
Can the COVID-19 vaccine give you COVID-19?
The COVID-19 vaccine cannot and will not give you COVID-19. The current vaccines authorized in Canada help your organism recognize a protein found on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which helps your body develop specific antibodies that will fight the virus if you are exposed to it. The vaccine does not contain the SARS-Co-2 virus, and therefore, does not cause infection of any sort.
Does vaccination lower my immune system?
The vaccination does the exact opposite! Vaccination triggers your immune system to produce specific antibodies and white blood cells that act as a defence against the virus in question.
Is it still worth getting the vaccine even though variants keep on coming?
Yes. Despite the emergence of new variants, the SRAS-CoV2 virus is still very much present and continues to provoke serious complications, including death, in many people. Furthermore, vaccines still are effective against variants. Vaccination still is the most effective method to prevent a COVID-19 infection.