Vaccines for COVID-19: How to get vaccinated or register

On this page

• How, when and where to get vaccinated
• Who is eligible for the vaccine
• Continue to follow public health measures
• When to consult with your doctor
• Recommended high-priority groups

How, when and where to get vaccinated

Provinces and territories are responsible for the vaccination rollout plans for their residents, including:

• the order in which groups will be vaccinated
• when vaccinations will be available
• where vaccinations will be administered
• whether or not you need to register

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 for the vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are free. They're available to priority populations first. They'll then be available to everyone who is 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 16 for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
  • age of 18 for the Moderna vaccine
  • age of 18 for the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine
  • age of 18 for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine
• diplomatic staff and their dependants
• Canadian Armed Forces members who are serving abroad as well as those working in higher-risk clinical settings, such as:
  • long-term care facilities
  • Indigenous communities
  • medical facilities run by the Canadian Armed Forces

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against COVID-19.

How many people in Canada have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine

Continue to follow public health measures

Everyone should continue to follow public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The main personal preventive measures are:

• staying at home if you’re feeling ill or have symptoms of COVID-19
• maintaining a 2-metre physical distance from others
• wearing a non-medical mask, as appropriate
• avoiding touching your face
• cleaning your hands often

Learn more about personal preventative measures for limiting the spread of COVID-19.

When to consult with your doctor

For some people, the decision to get vaccinated will require consideration of risks versus benefits.

You should consult your doctor or a health professional if you:

• are immunocompromised due to a disease or treatment, such as chemotherapy
• have an autoimmune condition
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a severe allergy to an ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine

Recommended priority groups

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has provided guidance on key populations for early COVID-19 vaccination. Groups at risk for severe illness or exposure to COVID-19 that may be offered early vaccination include:

• residents and staff of shared living settings who provide care for seniors
• older adults
• health care workers
• adults in Indigenous communities
• residents and staff of other shared living settings, such as:
  • quarters for migrant workers
  • shelters
  • correctional facilities
  • group homes
• adults in racialized and marginalized communities
• first responders, including:
  • police
  • military
  • firefighters
  • coast guard

Your province or territory has the authority to decide who will be prioritized.

Learn more about:

• People at risk of more severe COVID-19 disease or outcomes
• People at a greater risk of exposure
• Provincial and territorial resources for COVID-19

How groups are chosen for early vaccination

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is an independent committee of experts that provides advice to the Public Health Agency of Canada. This advice is then distributed and published to inform decision making by provinces and territories, which are responsible for

• administering vaccines
• deciding which populations will receive them first

Recommendations aim to reduce serious illness and death while reducing disruptions in society.

NACI chooses groups for early vaccination by looking at risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease and outcomes, such as:

• biological factors like:
  • advanced age
  • pre-existing medical conditions
• social factors like:
  • low socioeconomic status
  • belonging to a racialized population

The decision-making process also includes ethical elements, such as:

• equity
• feasibility
• acceptability

These recommendations aim to reduce disruptions in society due to the pandemic by prioritizing those who:

• provide essential services
• take additional risks to protect the public

Recommendations are based on:

• population-based analysis of the risks and benefits that considers:
  • risk of exposure to COVID-19, including:
    • ability to physically distance
    • access to other measures to prevent infection
  • risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19
  • how safe and effective authorized vaccines are in key populations
• results of clinical trials
• vaccine supply, which is the timing of available doses and the number of:
  • available vaccine types
  • doses each group needs
• the current pandemic situation when vaccines become available

Provinces and territories may have to adjust their strategy depending on:

• local trends
• transmission rates
• vaccine management logistics

Related links

• National Advisory Committee on Immunization
• Authorized COVID-19 vaccines
• What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada (poster)