Prepare for your COVID-19 vaccination

If you have booked an appointment to receive the vaccine, please read the following information to prepare for your appointment.

Before your appointment

Please review the following. If any of them apply to you, click the drop-down to determine your next steps in the vaccination process. If none of the statements apply to you, please proceed to your scheduled appointment. 

I have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you are required to have a conversation with your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending your scheduled vaccination appointment. Your doctor may refer you to allergist-immunologist for further consultation. After this consultation you may decide: 

  1. To receive the vaccine. At your appointment you will be asked to provide documentation from your allergist-immunologist indicating that it is safe to receive the vaccine and under what circumstances.
  2. Not to receive the vaccine. Please contact 1-800-265-7293 Ext. 0 to cancel your scheduled appointment or follow the cancellation instructions here.

I have had an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in any of the available COVID-19 vaccines (e.g. Polyethylene glycol [PEG]).

If you have had an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in any of the available COVID-19 vaccines, you are required to have a conversation with your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending your scheduled vaccination appointment. Your doctor may refer you to allergist-immunologist for further consultation. After this consultation you may decide: 

  1. To receive the vaccine. At your appointment you will be asked to provide documentation from your allergist-immunologist indicating that it is safe to receive the vaccine and under what circumstances.
  2. Not to receive the vaccine. Please cancel your appointment.
     
I have a weakened immune system or am taking medications that can weaken my immune system.

If you have a weakened immune system or are taking medications that can weaken your immune system (e.g., high dose steroids, stem cell therapy, chemotherapy, CAR-T therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies), it is recommended that you have a conversation with your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending your scheduled vaccination appointment. After this consultation you may decide:

  1. To receive the vaccine. No further is action required.
  2. Not to receive the vaccine. Please cancel your appointment.

Accessibility, accommodation and language supports

To request accessibility, accommodation and/or language support at your vaccine appointment, please call us at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006 or email access@wdgpublichealth.ca at least two business days before your scheduled appointment if possible.

On the day of your appointment 

  • Take your regular medication and eat your meals as usual (we recommend eating something before you come). 
  • Do not wear any scented products. 
  • Wear a loose-fitting top or a t-shirt so that the healthcare provider can easily access your upper arm where the injection will be administered (into the deltoid muscle).  
  • Bring an OHIP card or any government issued-photo ID if no OHIP card, to confirm your appointment. An OHIP card is not required.
  • Masks are not required in the mass community clinics but will be offered to anyone that chooses to wear one. Masks for adults and children will be available at the community clinic. If you attend an appointment at a specialty clinic, you may be instructed to wear a mask as you are entering a clinical setting.
  • You may bring one person with you to your appointment (i.e. interpreter, care partner, support person, friend, family member, someone to help navigate the clinic). Any additional people are asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.
  • Staff are on hand at the clinics to assist those should you require accessibility, accommodation or language support. Please let staff know what support you require or inform staff if you have requested accommodation for your appointment ahead of time.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should not attend the clinic.
  • If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend the clinic. You are required to wait minimum 3 months and recommended 6 months before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine after having a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
  • You can cancel or reschedule your appointment up to 48 hours prior using the link that was emailed/texted to you in your appointment confirmation. If you need to cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, please contact 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.

What to expect upon arrival 

  • Vaccination clinics will take every precaution to ensure your health and safety during your visit. All healthcare personnel, patients, and other staff and visitors will be expected to follow all public health measures in the clinic.
  • It is important that you arrive on time. This will help our clinics run as efficiently as possible.  Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early or late. 
  • Follow the instructions on the signage at the clinic location. 
  • You will be asked to provide your OHIP card or any government issued photo ID if no OHIP card to confirm your appointment. 
  • You will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entry into the clinic. 

After your vaccination 

  • You will be asked to stay up to 15 minutes after you receive the vaccine to monitor for any adverse reactions. 
  • Like all medicines and other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of COVID-19 vaccines do not pose a risk to health, are mild to moderate and should resolve within a few days. Monitor for: 
    • Pain at injection site, redness, swelling 
    • Fatigue 
    • Headache 
    • Muscle pain or joint pain 
    • Chills 
    • Fever 
  • Please review this After Care Information that tells you what to expect after vaccination. 
  • You will receive a record of your immunization.