Vaccines for COVID-19: How to get vaccinated or register
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to help protect ourselves, and our families and communities against COVID-19.
On this page
Getting an appointment
Visit your provincial or territorial website to find out:
- who can be vaccinated now
- how to register or cancel an appointment
- vaccination locations
Check how, when and where you can get vaccinated:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Who is eligible
COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are free of charge. They'll be available over the course of 2021 to everyone who's recommended to get the vaccine by federal, provincial and territorial public health authorities.
This applies to:
- everyone in Canada, including those who aren't citizens and who are over the age of:
- 12 for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
- 18 for the Moderna vaccine
- 18 for the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine
- 18 for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine
- Canadians serving in diplomatic and consular missions abroad (and their dependents) living in countries where the Health Canada-approved vaccines aren't available
- Canadian Armed Forces members who are serving abroad in countries where the Health Canada-approved vaccines aren't available
Special populations
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people who:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have autoimmune disorders
- are immunosuppressed
If you're unable to receive an mRNA vaccine, for example because of an allergy, you may be offered another approved COVID-19 vaccine.
If you're immunosuppressed from disease or treatment, you may have a reduced immune response to any COVID-19 vaccine.
Learn more about:
- Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for a newborn during the COVID-19 pandemic
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccines
- How many people in Canada have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine
When to consult with your doctor
If you have questions about getting your vaccine, consult with your health care provider.
For some people, the decision to get vaccinated will require special consideration of risks versus benefits.
Consult with your doctor or health care provider if you:
General considerations
- have questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccination
- are unsure if you should receive a COVID-19 vaccine
- are planning to or have received another vaccine recently
- are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19
After a first dose
- have experienced myocarditis or pericarditis after a first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna)
- have experienced blood clots with low levels of blood platelets after a first dose of a viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca or Janssen)
Allergies
- are allergic to:
- an ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine
- any materials found in the vaccine's packaging, such as the vial cap, aluminium seal or synthetic rubber stopper
- have experienced an allergic reaction after a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
Blood clots and low platelets
- have experienced blood clots with low levels of blood platelets:
- in the past as part of your medical history
- following a viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca or Janssen)
- after receiving heparin (an anticoagulant medicine that prevents blood from clotting)
Medical history
- have a bleeding disorder
- have a history of capillary leak syndrome if getting a viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca or Janssen)
- use specific medications for COVID-19 treatment
- are immunosuppressed due to a disease or treatment, such as chemotherapy
Benefits of vaccination
Evidence indicates that vaccines are effective at preventing serious outcomes due to COVID-19, such as severe illness, hospitalization and death. People who have already had COVID-19 may also be offered 2 doses for future protection against the virus and its variants.
Recent reports in Canada indicate that less than 1% of those who were fully vaccinated have become ill with COVID-19.
Some studies show that people who are fully or partially vaccinated are more likely to have a milder and shorter illness if they do become infected. This is compared to people who are unvaccinated.
Most COVID-19 vaccines require 2 doses to be fully vaccinated.
Current evidence shows it takes:
- 2 weeks or more after the first dose to provide good protection
- up to 2 weeks after the second dose to provide optimal protection
Related links
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