COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 infection. 

Please note that the Middlesex-London Health Unit currently does not have COVID-19 vaccine.  Updated eligibility, recommendations will be posted here once they are available.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

Please note that the Middlesex-London Health Unit does not currently have COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine will be available again this fall, and individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated at that time. Updated eligibility, recommendations and products will be posted here once they are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What vaccines are available in Canada?
• Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?
• How do the vaccines work?
• Should I get vaccinated if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
• What should I do if I was vaccinated in another country or province?
• How can I get my COVID-19 vaccine certificate?
• Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Children and Youth

Children can begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine starting at 6 months old. The vaccines are safe, effective and are the best way to remain protected your child and those closest to them from COVID-19 and its variants.

• For current vaccine recommendations for infants, children and teenagers who have never received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine and for those who received doses previously, see Vaccine Eligibility.

Timing of COVID-19 with other vaccines for children

Children aged 6 months and older can receive COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after other routine vaccines.

Resources and supports for families

There is a lot of information available for families to consider when making decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Trustworthy resources and supports available to answer your questions include:

What vaccines are available in Canada?

COVID-19 Vaccines

MLHU does not currently have any COVID-19 vaccine available.

Coming soon: Recommendations and information about which vaccines will be available this fall!

National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) occasionally releases statements on COVID-19 vaccines. To read the most recent statements, visit: National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Statements and publications and expand "COVID-19" from the list of vaccines.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

Yes. Vaccines approved by Health Canada have received a thorough and independent scientific review of the research and have been determined to be both safe and effective.

It’s also important to remember that all vaccines approved for use in Canada are heavily regulated by Health Canada. As a result, it’s illegal to sell or market a vaccine that has not completed all of the research stages and trials required for approval. International cooperation on the development of COVID-19 vaccines has allowed countries to compare trial results and data from around the world, to ensure vaccine safety over a relatively short period of time.

For more information, please review the resources below.

• COVID-19 Vaccines (Ontario Government)
• Approved COVID-19 Vaccines (Health Canada)
• COVID-19: Vaccine safety and side effects (Health Canada)

Side Effects

As with most vaccines, common side effects have been reported. These side effects are likely to be moderate and resolve after a few days. In very rare situations, some people may experience serious symptoms or an adverse reaction. For more information, visit Health Canada.

When should I see a health care provider?

There have been a small number of reports of myocarditis and pericarditis (inflammation in different parts of the heart) following immunization with an mRNA vaccine. Most cases developed within one week of vaccination, have been mild and resolved quickly. Seek medical attention right away if you develop any of the following symptoms after vaccination:

• Chest pain / feeling of pressure or tightness in your chest
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations / irregular heartbeat

If you experience myocarditis or pericarditis after a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, speak with your healthcare provider or local public health unit for the most up-to-date recommendations before receiving another COVID-19 vaccine.

How do COVID-19 vaccines work?

Both the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines. This means they use mRNA to teach the body’s cells how to make a protein which will cause your body to have an immune response and make antibodies. These antibodies then help fight an infection if the virus, which causes COVID-19, later enters the body. These vaccines do not contain a live virus – they cannot give you COVID-19. Learn more →

Should I get vaccinated if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is effective at protecting pregnant individuals against severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalization, and ICU admission from COVID-19 infection. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should receive all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses as soon as they are able. Learn more →

For more information, check out the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health's Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Patient Decision-Making Tool or speak with your primary health care provider.

COVID-19 vaccine certificate

To access your COVID-19 vaccine certificate, please visit: covid-19.ontario.ca/get-proof. NOTE: you will need your date of birth, postal code and health card information.

If you don't have a green Ontario Health Card or used another form of identification (e.g. Driver’s License) at the time of vaccination, or if you have questions or concerns about your vaccine certificate, please call 519-663-5317 (Monday to Friday between 8:30AM and 4:30PM).

Who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?

You should delay getting the vaccine if you:

• have symptoms of an acute or co-existing illness
• have symptoms of COVID-19
• have been advised to self-isolate due to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection

There are certain situations when you will need to talk to your primary healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine. These include if you:

• have ever had a severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components or container
• have a history of anaphylaxis or immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy (please speak to your health care provider or allergy specialist prior to receiving other COVID-19 vaccine doses)
• are receiving immunosuppressing therapies such as stem cell therapy, chemotherapy, CAR-T therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (eg. Rituximab) and other targeted agents (such as CD4/6 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors etc).

Remember to speak to the vaccinator (the person who will provide the vaccine to you) if you have discussed any of the issues mentioned above with your primary healthcare provider, or if you:

• have had any problems following a previous vaccine
• have any allergies
• have a high fever or severe infection
• have any serious illness
• have an autoimmune condition
• have a weakened immune system due to a medical condition or are taking medication that affects your immune system
• have a bleeding disorder or are taking medication that could affect your blood clotting, if you bruise easily or are taking a blood-thinning medication

More Information

• COVID-19 Vaccines (Ontario Ministry of Health)
• COVID-19 Vaccines (Government of Canada)

Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated Outside of Ontario/Canada

If you are a resident of Ontario and you were vaccinated in another province or country, keep your vaccine receipt as you may need to show it to employers or educational insitutions if you need to provide proof. 

You can also show your vaccine receipt when you go to your health care provider or pharmacist for another dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

If you fall under the following two categories, your previous doses can be added to the provincial vaccine database (COVAXon) by Middlesex-London Health Unit staff, using the online portal link: 

• A child under the age of 5 years old
• An individual with a dose recorded that was administered in the last six months

All other doses will not be recorded into the provincial vaccine database at this time. Employers, educational institutions, health care providers and pharmacists can take your original vaccine receipt or record as proof of doses previously administered.

How to submit eligible doses to the provincial database:

For doses that are eligible to be uploaded into the provincial database, please note the following instructions and information: 

• It may take up to 21 days to process submissions
• An Ontario Health Card is not required to submit proof of “out of province” doses. If you do not have an Ontario Health Card, you will be prompted to upload another piece of ID (birth certificate, driver's license, employee ID, Indian Status Card or Indigenous Membership Card, passport, or out of province health card). Individuals with a valid Ontario Health Card can download their proof of vaccination following their vaccine submission and approval at covid19.ontariohealth.ca.
• Individuals without an Ontario Health Card can obtain a client ID and link to download their proof of vaccination by calling 519-663-5317 (Monday to Friday between 8:30AM and 4:30PM).
• You will need to take a picture of the record to upload. Please make sure it is clear and includes the entire record.

If you are unable to submit proof of vaccination electronically:

If you are unable to submit electronically, please call 519-663-5317 for further direction.

• The number of doses that are currently recommended for you or members of your family will differ, depending on the date of the last dose given and other eligibility factors.
• If you are unsure if your vaccine series is valid in Ontario, or if you require more doses now, please contact the Health Unit at 519-663-5317.

How do I know if I am eligible for additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario?

A full list of eligibility criteria is available at www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility.

More Information

• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination in Ontario
• COVID-19: Recommendations for those vaccinated with vaccines not authorized by Health Canada