COVID-19 - As Ontario reopens, learn about public health and workplace safety measures. Learn about the COVID-19 vaccination and service disruptions.

Getting Vaccinated

Children aged five to 11 can book a paediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

How to get vaccinated

Children five to 11 years

Children five to 11 years of age and children turning five before the end of 2021 (born in 2016) can book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine at a Public Health clinic through the provincial portal online or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

These clinics will not be accepting any walk-ins.

12 years of age and older

If you're 12 years of age or older, you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Niagara at:

If you don't have a health card

Those without a health card can still get vaccinated at:

Public Health clinics
To book an appointment, fill out our COVID-19 - No Health Card form. If you have questions about filling this out, call our COVID-19 Info-Line at 905-688-8248, press 7 (toll free 1-888-505-6074) or chat online.

Participating pharmacies
The pharmacist will likely ask you for some type of identification and your birth date. Call your pharmacy if you're uncertain about what you need to bring to your appointment.

Second dose information

You don't need to have your second dose at the same place you had your first dose. For more information on second doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including information for those with a first dose of AstraZeneca, see our frequently asked questions.

Optimal interval between first and second doses

For children five to 11 years of age, an interval of at least eight weeks is recommended between the first and second dose.

New data shows a longer interval between first and second doses may lead to:

  • Greater protection after the second dose and
  • Longer lasting protection

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has reviewed this data. They recommend the optimal interval between first and second doses for mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) is eight weeks. If you received your second dose at an interval different from eight weeks you still have very good protection against COVID-19. You don't need to restart your series.

When deciding if the eight week interval between first and second doses is right for you consider:

  • Local transmission of COVID-19
  • Your need of a second dose for earlier protection
  • Your risk of severe outcomes, such as hospitalization, or exposure to COVID-19. The most vulnerable populations at risk for severe outcomes or exposure to COVID-19 include:
    • Adults 60 years old or over
    • People with underlying medical conditions
    • Pregnant individuals
    • Residents and staff of congregate living settings
    • Adults in Indigenous communities
    • Adults in racialized and marginalized communities
    • Health care workers and first responders
    • Frontline essential workers who cannot work virtually

While the first dose provides some protection, the second dose is needed for full protection. All individuals should continue to follow measures to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19.

If you have questions, contact your health care provider or our COVID-19 Info-Line at 905-688-8248, press 7 (toll free 1-888-505-6074) or chat online.

Third and booster dose information

Some individuals are eligible for a third dose or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine (see dropdowns below). The terms "third dose" and "booster dose" are not interchangeable. The term third dose is used for those who are immunocompromised and who may have not produced an optimal immune response to the first two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. The term booster is used for doses that are meant to restore protection which may have decreased over time. Many other vaccines require a booster.

  • Third doses for those moderately to severely immunocompromised

    The following immunocompromised individuals are eligible to receive a three-dose series of COVID-19 vaccine. If you're referred to a Public Health clinic, bring appropriate proof of eligibility as specified below.

    Eligible individuals and proof of eligibility
    Who When How
    • Individuals receiving active treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies. Active treatment includes patients who have completed treatment within three months.
    • Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
    • Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within two years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
    • Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
    • Individuals with stage three or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

    Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies:

    • Anti-B cell therapies (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22). Active treatment for patients receiving B-cell depleting therapy includes patients who have completed treatment within 12 months.
    • High-dose systemic corticosteroids
    • Alkylating agents
    • Antimetabolites
    • Tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive

    For a full list of eligible immunosuppressive medications, see Appendix A (page 15) of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose Recommendations.

    Recommended at least two months after your second dose

    Hospitals, through their clinics, are responsible for vaccinating these individuals. In most cases, this means the hospital will provide eligible individuals with their third dose.

    Health care providers that are administering the vaccine at their office may also provide third doses to their eligible patients.

    In some instances, you may be referred elsewhere for your third dose. See the 'How to get vaccinated' section above. If attending a Public Health clinic, individuals must come with a medical letter from their health care provider or pharmacist that includes:

    • Date and on letterhead
    • Contact information for the clinic, physician, specialist or medical practice of individual completing the form
    • Patient’s name (typed / generic letters will not be accepted)
    • Patient’s eligible condition (or medication) for third dose

    Prescriptions for the eligible immunosuppressant medications can also be presented at Public Health clinics for proof of eligibility.
  • Booster doses for specific populations

    The following individuals are eligible to receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To receive your booster dose, you must meet the time interval specified in the table below.

    Eligible individuals
    Who When How
    • Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier)
    • Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings, including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers
    • First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members
    		 At least six months after your second dose See the 'How to get vaccinated' section above
    • Individuals who received a complete series of AstraZeneca (two doses of AstraZeneca
    		 At least six months after your second dose See the 'How to get vaccinated' section above
    • Individuals who received a complete series of Janssen (one dose of Janssen)

    At least six months after your first dose

    		 See the 'How to get vaccinated' section above
    • Residents of high-risk congregate settings, including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges

    Recommended at least six months after your second dose

    		 Public Health will provide COVID-19 vaccine to eligible high-risk congregate settings.

In-home vaccinations

If you leave your home to access medical appointments in your community, you must get your vaccine at a clinic, pharmacy or through your family doctor. Clinics in Niagara are accessible and have wheelchairs onsite if you need one.

If you're seeking an in-home vaccination, call the COVID-19 Info-Line to be assessed for eligibility at 905-688-8248, press 7.

Before going for your vaccine

Find out what you need to know before your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

Reasons to reschedule

If you're sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, you shouldn't get the vaccine. Wait until you're better to get vaccinated.

If you had a booked appointment, you can reschedule your appointment online or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Protect yourself

Please continue to follow all public health guidelines to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

More information

For questions about COVID-19 vaccination, call the COVID-19 Info-Line at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074, press 7.