COVID-19 vaccine information

• Anyone 6 months of age and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Novavax vaccine will not be available this fall in Canada. 
• Currently, there are no authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Minors under the age of 18 require verbal or written consent from a parent or guardian to be vaccinated.
• Immunization is particularly important for individuals who are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe outcomes. This includes:
  • adults 65 years of age or older
  • residents of continuing care homes and senior supportive living accommodations 
  • individuals with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
  • individuals who are pregnant
  • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, no matter where they live
  • members of racialized and other equity-denied communities
  • people who provide essential community services and healthcare workers
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 1 and Table 2.

• Individuals with eligible immunocompromising conditions may benefit from one or more doses of vaccine.
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 3.
   

• For most, an appointment can be booked if it has been at least 3 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose. This does not mean that a COVID-19 vaccine dose is recommended every 3 months.
• It is recommended that COVID-19 vaccine be delayed for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 (by PCR or rapid antigen test). For more information, read “if you have had a COVID-19 infection” below.
• With the exception of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can be administered  at the same time, before or after influenza vaccine and other routine immunizations to individuals 6 months of age or older. It is recommended to wait 2 weeks between receiving a COVID-19 and/or influenza vaccine dose and the RSV vaccine.
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and CAR T-cell therapy recipients are recommended to consult with their physician regarding COVID-19 vaccine spacing.
• Check when to book your appointment.

• Albertans 5 years of age and older and their families are encouraged to book their appointment at a community pharmacy. Appointments for children under 5 years of age and their families are available through AHS clinics.
  • Book online (pharmacy or AHS clinic)
  • Find a community pharmacy
  • Call Health Link at 811

Most pharmacies accept walk-in appointments for individuals 5 years of age and older. 

• It is recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine be delayed for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 (by PCR or rapid antigen test).
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 3.
• For further information or questions, call Health Link (811) or ask your healthcare provider.

• Health Canada publishes technical information about each authorized vaccine, which includes a summary of the scientific rationale for the decisions, the data supporting the vaccine’s approval, clinical trial results, and any new information that affects the assessment of the vaccine.

• Once a vaccine is in use, Alberta Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada all monitor Canadian and international adverse events following immunization. Health Canada also publishes information and counts of all COVID-19 adverse events following immunization.
• In Alberta, the reporting of adverse events following immunization is mandatory under the province’s Immunization Regulation.
• Overall, serious side effects from immunization are rare. The Alberta respiratory virus dashboard provides details about the number and types of adverse events following both COVID-19 and influenza vaccine administration.
• Very rare cases of inflammation of the heart muscle and lining surrounding the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported across all age groups. It has been reported most frequently after a second dose of an mRNA vaccine but can occur after any dose and has also been reported with non-mRNA vaccines. This adverse event is more common in adolescents and young adults, and occurs within the first 1-2 weeks following immunization, usually resolving rapidly with rest and medications. The cases are typically mild and are treatable. The risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis from COVID-19 infection is much higher than the risk following immunization with COVID-19 vaccine.

• The vaccines do not contain egg, latex or preservatives.
• Individuals should not get a COVID-19 vaccine is if they are severely allergic to specific ingredients in the vaccine. Speak to your doctor if you have questions about allergies.

The mRNA vaccines are proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 infection. They are available to individuals aged 6 months of age and older.

How it works

• Available COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA technology to teach cells how to make a protein to trigger an immune response and make antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus. It does not alter your DNA.
• mRNA vaccines are not live vaccines and do not cause infection or disease.

After your vaccine, you may experience minor side effects like fever or aches that go away on their own after a few days. As with all medicines, there is a small chance that there will be a serious side effect (adverse events) like an allergic reaction, so it is important to stay at the place you get your vaccine for 15 minutes after being immunized. Some very rare reactions after COVID-19 vaccines include:

• Rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) have been reported after receiving an mRNA vaccine.
• Additional precautions to protect yourself from the spread of respiratory viruses include:
  • stay home when feeling sick
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick, whenever possible
  • wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • cover coughs and sneezes, followed by cleaning of hands
  • avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
  • clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items at home, especially when someone is sick
  • wear a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces to help reduce the risk of becoming sick and to help protect others from being exposed

• Most COVID-19 cases in children are mild, but some children can get very sick, have long-lasting symptoms (Long COVID), or complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
• The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends eligible children be immunized. While children have a lower risk of severe illness, vaccines offer the best protection from getting COVID-19.

If you have questions or concerns, contact your family doctor or call Health Link at 811 to speak with a health professional.