About COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Health Canada has approved three vaccines for use in Canada. Pfizer-BioNTech was approved on December 9, 2020, Moderna was approved on December 23, 2020 and AstraZeneca was approved on February 26, 2021 Vaccines are an important tool in our response to the pandemic.
For information about these COVID-19 vaccines, see the following resources:
What you should know about the COVID-19 vaccines (ontario.ca)
Public Health Ontario - What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna About Vaccines (gov.on.ca)
Information Sheet Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines (gov.on.ca)
All vaccines work by providing our cells with instructions on how to produce a copy of a protein that is found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. Our bodies recognize this protein which is what starts our immune response.
mRNA vaccines provide our cells with instructions on how to produce a copy of a protein that is found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. Our bodies recognize this protein which is what starts our immune response. mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines and cannot cause infection in the host. mRNA vaccines also cannot alter a person’s DNA.
Resources
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccine (publichealthontario.ca)
COVID-19 Pfizer and Moderna About Vaccines (gov.on.ca)
When they are eligible, vaccines should be offered to individuals without contraindications to the vaccine.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine: 2 doses given 21 days apart to individuals who are 16 years of age and older.
- The Moderna vaccine: 2 doses given 28 days apart to individuals who are 18 years of age and older.
If you have any symptoms that could be due to COVID-19, you should not receive the vaccine at this time. You should also wait 14 days after receiving any other vaccine before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
There are special considerations for specific populations including pregnancy, people with autoimmune conditions, people who are immunocompromised and people with severe allergies to vaccine ingredients. If you have questions about if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you, speak to your health care provider.
Other Resources
SOGC Statement - COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy Poster
COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion Poster for Healthcare Workers
Yes. Until vaccines are widely available, it is important to continue to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Keep practicing protective measures such as washing your hands, physical distancing, wearing a mask and following other public health guidance. More research is being done to determine how long the vaccine protection lasts and how well it will prevent others around you from getting sick with COVID-19.