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.

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:

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 at least:
- 12 years of age for the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine
- 12 years of age for the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine
- 18 years of age for the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine
- 18 years of age for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 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 (NACI) recommends mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for everyone at least 12 years of age. This includes people who:

are pregnant or breastfeeding
have an autoimmune disorder
are immunocompromised due to disease or treatment

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 moderately to severely immunocompromised due to disease or treatment, you may have a reduced immune response to any COVID-19 vaccine. NACI recommends you get an additional vaccine dose following your 1- or 2-dose vaccine series.

Learn more about:

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
have received a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada
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-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax)
have experienced blood clots with low levels of blood platelets after a first dose of a viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca Vaxzevria 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 Vaxzevria 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 Vaxzevria or Janssen)
recently had COVID-19 and were given specific medications for COVID-19 treatment

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.