Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent serious illness from COVID-19 infection.
It is recommended that individuals wait until the fall to receive their next dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This will ensure maximum protection when peak circulation of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is expected. Additional recommendations and more information will be available soon. Please note that the Middliesex-London Health Unit does not currently have COVID-19 vaccine available.
Guidance for Individuals Vaccinated Outside of Canada
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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.
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.
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:
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.
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 →
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.
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).
You should delay getting the vaccine if you:
There are certain situations when you will need to talk to your primary healthcare provider before receiving the vaccine. These include if you:
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:
