Immunization has saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health measure.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty® and Spikevax®) protect against infection from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. The vaccines are approved by Health Canada.
The vaccines are approved for those 6 months of age and older. The vaccines are recommended for those at increased risk of infection or severe disease, including:
Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) peoples and individuals living in Indigenous communities may be at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19 due to health inequities resulting from settler colonialism.
The vaccines are available beginning in the fall, usually in October. A second dose of vaccine is recommended for some people, such as residents of long-term care homes and assisted living facilities, the following spring.
For more information, including how to register for the vaccine, visit the Government of British Columbia website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/immunizations/covid-19-immunization
The vaccines are given by injection. People 5 years of age and older should get one dose. Children 6 months to 4 years of age and people with weakened immune systems may need more than one dose depending on their immunization history.
It is important to keep a record of all immunizations received.
Immunization is the best way to protect against COVID-19, which is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. The vaccines provide strong protection against severe COVID-19 illness, including hospitalization and death. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well, including those who are unable to get the vaccine.
Vaccines are very safe. It is much safer to get a vaccine than to get COVID-19. Common reactions to the vaccines may include soreness, redness, swelling and itchiness where the vaccine was given. For some people, these reactions may show up 8 or more days after getting the vaccine. Other reactions may include tiredness, headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint soreness, swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, nausea and vomiting. Babies and young children may be irritable, sleepy and have a decreased appetite. These reactions are mild and generally last one to 2 days.
Rare cases of inflammation of the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported after getting the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. These were most often seen:
Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®) can be taken for fever or soreness. ASA (e.g. Aspirin®) should not be given to anyone under 18 years of age due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
For information on Reye syndrome, visit HealthLinkBC File #84 Reye syndrome.
It is important to stay in the clinic for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine. There is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This happens in less than one in a million people who get the vaccine. Symptoms may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue or lips. If this reaction occurs, your health care provider is prepared to treat it. Emergency treatment includes administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) and transfer by ambulance to the nearest emergency department. If symptoms develop after you leave the clinic, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.
Always report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
After getting a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, you may be contacted to participate in a study monitoring the safety of the vaccine. To learn more about the CANVAS study, please visit https://canvas-network.ca.
You should not get a vaccine if you have a serious allergy (anaphylaxis) to polyethylene glycol (PEG) which is in both COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. PEG can be found in some cosmetics, skin care products, laxatives, cough syrups and bowel preparation products for colonoscopy. PEG can be an additive in some processed foods and drinks, but no cases of anaphylaxis to PEG in foods and drinks have been reported.
Speak with your health care provider if you had anaphylaxis after a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or if you have had anaphylaxis with an unknown cause.
There is no need to delay getting immunized because of a cold or other mild illness. If you have concerns, speak with your health care provider.
Speak with your health care provider if you:
COVID-19 is an infection of the airways and lungs caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, tiredness and loss of smell or taste. While some people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, others can require hospitalization and may die. Serious illness is more common in older adults and those with very weak immune systems. For some people, symptoms of COVID-19 can last for weeks or longer. The long-term effects of COVID-19 on a person’s health are unknown.
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from person to person by coughing, sneezing, talking, singing and breathing. It can also be spread by touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
It is recommended that parents or guardians and their children discuss consent for immunization. Children under the age of 19, who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized, can legally consent to or refuse immunizations. For more information on mature minor consent, visit HealthLinkBC File #119 The Infants Act, mature minor consent and immunization.
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