Canada COVID-19 Vaccination
Disclaimer: This blog contains the information from the official Government of Canada website as of May 21st, 2021. For more information, please visit the website.
All individuals over the age of 18, including international students, are now eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Eligible Vaccines
The official Government of Canada website states that “COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada are free. They’re available to priority populations first. They’ll then be available to everyone who is recommended to get the vaccine by federal, provincial and territorial public health authorities.”
This applies to:
- everyone in Canada, including those who aren’t citizens and who are over the:
- age of 12 for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
- age of 18 for the Moderna vaccine
- age of 18 for the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine
- reserved for those age 30 and above
- age of 18 for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine
- reserve for those age 30 and above
Vaccination for Ontario
Status as of May 21st, 2021:
Daily doses administered:
158,524
Total doses administered:
7,735,148
People fully vaccinated:
495,757
Toronto is implementing a three-phase vaccine distribution program.
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccines only available for most vulnerable populations and their caretakers. Starting December 2020 | Vaccines available for older adults, frontline workers, and populations of higher risks. Starting April 2021 | Vaccines available for anyone who wishes to be immunized. Starting July 2021 |
Booking the Vaccine
The official disclaimer regarding limited appointments:
“There may be limited appointments available at some mass vaccination clinics. More appointments through the provincial booking system and public health units will be made available as more vaccine supply is confirmed.”
“Vaccines continue to be available at mobile, hospital and pop up clinics and at pharmacies across the province.”
Booking Online through the Provincial Online Booking System
Visit the official website for how to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Note: by using the provincial online booking system, you are scheduling an appointment at a mass immunization clinic (in large public locations) not hospitals, pharmacies, mobile or pop-up clinics.
Booking by Phone
Contact the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 if you:
- need assistance with booking
- prefer to speak to a call centre agent
- do not have a photo health card
The line is available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.
Required information
- Postal Code or public health unit
- Birth Year
- Health Card
- Green Ontario photo health card
- Red and White Ontario health card
- No Ontario health card
If you don’t have a valid photo health card
Please contact your local public health unit where you will be asked for another form of identification. Once the public health unit has confirmed your eligibility for vaccination, they will help book your appointment.
To find your local public health unit and contact number, visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine and select the ‘no Ontario health card’ option from the drop down menu under Health Card Type.
For more information about vaccination in Ontario, please visit Ontario’s website for more information.
For other provinces, please visit your province’s websites for more information.