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In alignment with NACI released recommendations, the Province of Ontario recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to individuals with previous COVID-19 infection without contraindications to the vaccine. Below are the recommended intervals between previous COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination for various populations. A longer time interval may result in a better immune response as this allows time for the immune response to mature in breadth and strength, and for circulating antibodies to decrease, thus avoiding immune interference when the vaccine is administered.

Individuals 5 years-of-age and older, infected with COVID-19 prior to their completion -or initiation of primary vaccine series are recommended to receive the next dose of vaccine 8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test.
Individuals 18 years of age and older, infected with COVID-19 after their primary series but before their booster dose, are recommended to receive their booster dose 3 months after symptom onset or positive test.

Individuals 12-17 year-of-age, infected with COVID-19 after their primary series but before their booster dose, are recommended to receive their booster dose 3 months after symptom onset or positive test, provided it's been at least 6 months after completing the primary series.

Individuals 5+ years-of-age who are not considered moderately to severely immunocompromised and with no previous history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children can receive their first or second vaccine 8 weeks after symptom onset or positive test.

Individuals 5+ years-of-age who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and with no previous history of MIS-C can receive their first or second vaccine dose 4 to 8 weeks after symptoms onset or positive test.

Individuals 5+ years-of-age with a previous history of MIS-C (regardless of immunocompromised status) can receive their first or second vaccine dose when clinical recovery has been achieved or greater than 90 days since the onset of MIS-C, whichever is longer.

The recommended waiting times between the COVID-19 infection and vaccination are intended to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 at an immunization clinic, enable monitoring for COVID-19 vaccine adverse events and increase immune response to vaccine. However, with informed consent individuals may opt to receive their first, second or a booster dose after symptoms of COVID-19 have resolved and they are no longer infectious.

As per provincial guidelines, individuals who have received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada should contact their local public health unit to have their COVID-19 immunization record documented into the provincial database, COVaxON.

Ensuring vaccination information is up-to-date and complete will enable individuals to:

• Book a second dose appointment through the provincial booking system, their local public health unit or through participating pharmacies or primary care settings;
• Receive an Ontario vaccination receipt; and
• Share their COVID-19 immunization records with their health care providers.

If you are a resident of Brant and have received your first, second or all doses outside of Ontario or Canada, please contact the Brant County Health Unit by phone at 519-753-4937 ext. 438, or via email COVIDVaccinationEnquiries@bchu.org to provide your name and contact information. A member of our team will contact you as soon as possible to validate and record your information into the provincial database. Proof of immunization is required to verify the COVID-19 vaccine product received.

Please note an in-person appointment may be required to validate your COVID-19 vaccination. If you do not reside in Brant,please contact your respective heath unit for assistance.

Thanks to advances in science and technology, and an unprecedented level of global collaboration, Health Canada authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine on December 9, 2020 ,Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on December 23, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on February 26, 2021 and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine on March 5, 2021. This news comes after a thorough and independent review determined that all vaccines met stringent safety, efficacy and quality requirements.

For those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised or those with autoimmune conditions, please refer to these recommendations.

No. mRNA is not able to alter or modify a person's genetic makeup (DNA). The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body's natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease.

No. The vaccines do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19. The vaccines teach our immune systems to identify part of the virus that causes COVID-19 and to defend against it, without our bodies ever being exposed to the actual virus. 

Evidence shows that vaccination combined with infection provides stronger and longer-lasting protection from COVID-19 than infection alone. With the spread of new and transmissible variants, it is important that everyone gets vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

If you have had COVID-19, you should wait a minimum of three months (84 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if you had no symptoms) to receive your booster dose; however, a six-month (168 day) interval may provide better immune response.

If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please contact your primary care provider, or the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and capable of providing assistance in more than 300 languages.

The vaccines contain fats, salts, sugars and buffers. They do not contain eggs, gelatin or pork, gluten, latex, preservatives, antibiotics, aluminum, or fetal cells. Serious allergic reactions are rare. Allergic reactions can be treated and are usually temporary. The vaccines are certified Halal by the Muslim Medical Association of Canada and the Canadian Council of Imams.

Please visit the COVID-19 Community Support Finder website for more information.