Vaccines for COVID-19: How to get vaccinated
It's important for everyone to stay up to date on vaccination to continue to help reduce the risks of severe illness and death due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are widely available and free of charge.
On this page
- Book an appointment
- Benefits of vaccination
- Primary series
- Booster doses
- Vaccination after previous infection
- When to consult with your doctor
Book an appointment
You can book an appointment for your primary series or a booster dose through your province or territory:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Benefits of vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect our families, communities and ourselves against COVID-19. Vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
Getting vaccinated can also reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms of post COVID-19 condition. Post COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID, is when people still experience symptoms of COVID-19 for weeks or months after their initial recovery.
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Primary series
Most COVID-19 vaccines approved for people 5 years of age and older require 2 doses for the body to build initial protection. These doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are called a primary series. The immune response to the first dose of the vaccine is generally not as strong or sustained on its own. A second dose is essential for better, longer-lasting protection, including against most variants of concern.
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Additional primary series dose for people who are immunocompromised
If you're moderately to severely immunocompromised due to disease or treatment, you may have a lower immune response to COVID-19 vaccination.
For this population, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends the following:
- A primary series of 3 doses of an mRNA vaccine should be offered to individuals considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.
- Those who received other vaccine types to begin their primary series should receive an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine.
- The doses in the primary series should be given 4 to 8 weeks apart.
People moderately to severely immunocompromised are also encouraged to speak with a health care provider to learn more about vaccination and other ways to protect themselves against COVID-19.
Booster doses
Doses of the COVID-19 vaccines received after the primary series are called booster doses. A booster may be your second, third or fourth dose depending on your age and which vaccine you received initially.
Even if you've completed your primary series, protection will decrease over time. That's why it's important to get your booster doses when recommended.
Booster doses trigger your immune system to build a stronger immune response by making more antibodies. Boosters can help improve protection against severe outcomes by up to 90%. They may also reduce the risk of post COVID-19 condition.
Whether it's a booster dose or a primary series, you may be offered a different COVID-19 vaccine than the one you received previously. Talk to a health care provider about which COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for you.
Contact your province or territory for a booster
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
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First booster doses
Adults 18 years of age and older, and high-risk youths 12 to 17 years of age are strongly recommended to receive a booster dose. It should be given at least 6 months from the last dose of the primary series.
A booster may also be offered to other youths 12 to 17 years of age. This booster should be offered at least 6 months from the last dose.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, you should receive a booster dose for additional protection.
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Second booster doses
A second booster dose is recommended for the following populations at high risk for severe disease:
- adults 80 years of age and older living in the community
- residents of long-term care or other shared living settings for seniors
A second booster dose may also be offered to the following populations:
- adults 70 to 79 years of age
- adults younger than 70 years of age in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
- this recommendation should be considered in collaboration with respective health care and public health partners
Talk to a health care provider about which COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for you.
Vaccination after previous infection
Vaccination is very important, even if you've been previously infected with COVID-19. While infection alone provides some protection, vaccination before as well as after infection:
- helps improve the immune response
- may provide better and longer-lasting protection
If you're eligible to receive a booster dose and you've had COVID-19, it's recommended that you receive your booster dose:
- 3 months after you tested positive or started having symptoms or
- at least 6 months after your previous dose (whichever is longer)
Provinces and territories design and deliver their own vaccination programs. When making decisions about their programs, they consider the needs and circumstances, including COVID-19 activity, of their region. As a result, vaccination recommendations and timing may differ by region.
If you have questions about the timing of your booster dose following a COVID-19 infection, contact:
- your province or territory or
- your local public health authority or
- a health care provider
Learn more about:
- COVID-19 vaccination: Contact your province or territory
- COVID-19: How provinces and territories make decisions about how, who and when to vaccinate
When to consult with a health care provider
If you have questions about getting your vaccine, consult with a health care provider. General considerations include if you:
- have questions or concerns about COVID-19 vaccination
- are unsure if you should receive a COVID-19 vaccine
- have received a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada
- are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19
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