Last Update: Friday, March 19, 2021 Answers within this document are based on the current information available. As the situation remains dynamic, please visit the Government of Ontario’s website for the latest updates.
The following questions were those most frequently asked by residents and Members of Council from January 4th to present regarding vaccine distribution. These FAQs will be updated as new details emerge from all levels of government.
For answers to health related vaccine questions, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs .
Some OPH FAQs on Allergies, side effects, and medical conditions
- Can people with severe allergies to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine receive the vaccine?
- What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines?
- If a person develops an adverse reaction, what should be done?
- Are there any medications that would interact with the COVID-19 vaccines?
If you have additional questions about side effects, what to expect, and what to do if you feel very sick following your vaccination, please consult your doctor in advance. You can also call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 to get free non-emergency medical advice.
Eligibility and Booking
1. Who is determining who can get a COVID-19 vaccine and when?
The Government of Canada is responsible for approval and procurement of COVID-19 vaccine supply. The Government of Ontario is responsible for the distribution of these vaccines across the province. The Ethical Framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution guides how the provincial government prioritizes and distributes vaccines across Ontario.
The City’s Emergency Operations Centre and Ottawa Public Health are doing everything possible to ensure Ottawa residents who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to access it as quickly and efficiently as possible, dependent on vaccine supply and in alignment with the provincial framework. The total amount of vaccines that will be distributed to the City of Ottawa and precise delivery dates are not yet known. These decisions are made by the Province and subject to vaccine procurement from the federal government.
For the latest information, please refer to the following web page:
Government of Ontario: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario
2. Who is currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine? (Updated)
The following groups are currently eligible to book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine:
- Effective Monday, March 22, 2021: Residents aged 75 and over are able to book an appointment to receive their vaccine at a community clinic via the provincial booking system
- Residents born in or before 1941 living anywhere in Ottawa are able to book an appointment to receive their vaccine at a community clinic via the provincial booking system
- Residents who were born in or before 1941, or who are adult recipients of chronic home care, and who live in the following communities are eligible to book an appointment via Ottawa Public Health to receive their vaccine through a pop-up clinic:
- Britannia Village
- Bayshore-Belltown
- Whitehaven – Queensway Terrace North
- Carleton Heights – Rideauview
- Carlington
- Sandy Hill
- Emerald Woods
- Heatherington
- Ledbury
- Heron Gate
- Ridgemont
- Riverview
- Sawmill Creek
- Carson Grove-Carson Meadows
- Greenboro East
- Hawthorne Meadows
- Hunt Club East – Western Community
- Hunt Club Park
- Lowertown East
- Manor Park
- Overbrook-McArthur
- Parkwood Hills
- Sheffield Glen
- Stewart Farm
- Vanier North
- Vanier South
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis community members who are aged 40 and older. Please see question #3 for additional details.
To confirm that you are eligible for vaccination, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Screening Tool.
Patient-facing health care workers classified as “very high priority” settings (such as dentists, nurse practitioners, midwives and physicians), physicians), as defined the Province of Ontario, are able to use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Screening Tool to check eligibility and pre-register for a vaccine appointment.
For information on the booking process, please see question 5.
3. What is the vaccination process for Indigenous individuals? (Updated)
First Nation, Inuit and Métis community members who are aged 40 and older are currently eligible for vaccination. Akausivik Inuit Family Health Team is providing vaccinations for Inuit. To book an appointment or for more information, call 613-740-0999.
Ottawa Public Health is partnering with Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health to provide a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for First Nation, Inuit and Métis community members aged 50+ at St-Laurent Complex located at 525 Côté Street. Call Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505 to book an appointment. You will be asked to provide proof of Indigenous identity/status. Examples include:
- Status Card
- Inuit Beneficiary Card
- Métis Card
- 60s Scoop Acceptance Letter
For additional information, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/IndigenousVaccine
4. How do I confirm my eligibility?
To confirm that you are eligible for vaccination, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Screening Tool. Only residents who were born in or before 1941 or who are recipients of adult chronic home care and who live in the identified high-risk neighbourhoods will be able to book an appointment.
Please help us keep phone lines open for those who are eligible to receive a vaccine – please do not call the booking line if you are not yet eligible.
5. I have confirmed that I meet the eligibility criteria for vaccination. How do I book an appointment? (updated)
Eligible residents can book an appointment through the Province of Ontario’s online booking system at http://ontario.ca/bookvaccine. This includes adults 90 and older who do not yet have an appointment booked.
If you are 80 and older (born in 1941 or earlier) or an adult recipient of chronic home care, and you live in the high-priority communities listed in question 2, you can call Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505 to book an appointment at a pop-up clinic location closer to your neighbourhood. The date, time, and location will be confirmed when you make your appointment. Service providers can take your call between 7:30 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and 8:30 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday. Service is available in multiple languages.
Walk-ins will not be accepted, so please call in advance to book your appointment if you have confirmed that you are eligible.
6. How do I book an appointment if I do not have an Ontario health card or have a red and white card?
If you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a vaccine via the screening tool but have a red and white Ontario health card, please call the Province of Ontario’s Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) to book your appointment. This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages.
If you do not have a valid health card, please call Ottawa Public Health at 613-691-5505 to book an appointment.
7. I have tried calling the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 vaccine registration line but could not get through. What should I do? (Updated)
We know that there is a high demand for vaccines, so a high volume of calls is expected. When calling the booking line, callers will be put into a queue. Wait time is dependent on call volume. Please help us keep phone lines open for those who are eligible to receive a vaccine. Only eligible residents (see question 2) should call the COVID-19 vaccine booking phone line to make an appointment. Please do not call 3-1-1 or the general Ottawa Public Health phone line, as appointments cannot be booked on these lines.
8. When will I be eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and who comes next in Ottawa?
The Province has started to roll out a three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan. All groups are identified by the provincial task force using the ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Phase 1: high-risk population vaccination
Timing: December 2020 to March 2021
Immediate priorities for first doses include:
- staff, essential caregivers and any residents that have not yet received a first dose in: long-term care homes, high-risk retirement homes, and First Nations elder care homes
- alternative level of care patients in hospitals who have a confirmed admission to a long-term care home, retirement home or other congregate care home for seniors
- health care workers identified as highest priority, followed by very high priority, in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
- Indigenous adults in northern remote and higher risk communities (on-reserve and urban).
- When all reasonable steps have been taken to complete first doses of the vaccine for all interested individuals in the immediate category, first doses will be available to the remainder of the Phase 1 populations. This includes:
- adults 80 years of age and older
- staff, residents and caregivers in retirement homes and other congregate care settings for seniors (for example, assisted living)
- health care workers identified as the high priority level in the Ministry of Health’s guidance on Health Care Worker Prioritization (PDF)
- all Indigenous adults
- adult recipients of chronic home care
Phase 2: mass deliveries of vaccines
Timing: April to July 2021, depending on availability of vaccines
The Province of Ontario has identified the following groups as part of Phase 2 of the rollout plan:
- older adults, beginning with those 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout
- people who live and work in high-risk congregate settings (for example, shelters, community living)
- frontline essential workers, including first responders, education workers and the food processing industry
- individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers
- other populations and communities facing barriers related to the determinants of health across Ontario who are at greater COVID-19 risk
The provincial task force will use the ethical framework and the best available data to identify other priority populations within this phase, based on available vaccine supply.
Phase 3: steady state
Timing: August 2021 and beyond, depending on availability of vaccines
Vaccines available widely across Ontario for anyone in the general population who wants to be immunized. The ethical framework, data and available vaccine supply will help to prioritize groups in this phase.
These timelines are subject to change subject to change and are dependent on possible additional vaccine approvals and supply. For more information on vaccine sequencing in Ottawa, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s website.
For the latest information, please refer to the following web page:
Government of Ontario: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario
9. Is there a sign-up or eligibility that list I need to be on to get the vaccine?
At this time, there is no sign-up or waiting list. Eligibility is based on the Government of Ontario’s three-phase distribution plan. The vaccine will be distributed to populations of highest priority and based on vaccine supply.
We know many people are anxious to be immunized for COVID-19, including those who are considered higher-risk or have other underlying health conditions. Please continue to follow all public health guidelines to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
As more information becomes available it will be posted to the Province’s COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario page.
10. How will I be notified when it’s my turn to get the vaccine? (Updated)
Residents of all ages who are not yet eligible for the vaccine are encouraged to follow announcements on the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health websites and social media channels, and from your local news media to learn when they can receive their vaccine. You can also sign up for the City of Ottawa’s COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news and updates on the vaccine roll-out.
11. I am an older adult, but I don’t live in a long-term care or retirement home. When can I be vaccinated against COVID-19? (updated)
On February 14, 2021, the Province of Ontario provided updated direction on the sequencing of Phase 1 priority populations for COVID-19 vaccination. Adults aged 80 and over (not living in congregate homes for seniors) are now part of Phase 1 of the provincial rollout plan, once supply increases. Previously, these older adults were in Phase 2.
Older adults, beginning with those 79 years and older and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout, are expected to be offered vaccines, depending on their availability, as part of Phase 2 of the Province’s framework for prioritization.
For more information on the Provinces three-phased vaccine distribution implementation plan, please refer to question number 6.
12. I am an essential worker. When can I be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Frontline essential workers, including: first responders, teachers and other education staff and food processing workers are expected to be offered vaccines in Phase 2 from April to August 2021. Specific timing will depend on the availability of vaccines, and the Province of Ontario is responsible for further defining the parameters of who is considered a frontline essential worker in the coming weeks. The Provincial task force will use the ethical framework and the best available data to identify other priority populations within this phase, based on available vaccine supply.
13. My spouse and I are seniors that fall into separate age categories. Will we get vaccinated at the same time?
Adults 80 years and older are part of Phase 1 of the provincial vaccine rollout plan. Adults 79 years of age and decreasing in five-year increments over the course of the vaccine rollout will begin in Phase 2.
As more information becomes available it will be posted to the Province’s COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario page.
14. I am the essential care giver of a child who has special needs or health issues that puts them at risk. When can I expect to be vaccinated?
The Province of Ontario has predefined teachers, other education staff, childcare and licensed foster care workers as essential workers under Phase 2 of the provincial vaccination roll-out plan.
As more information becomes available it will be posted to the Province’s COVID-19 vaccines for Ontario page.
15. I am concerned that I am more at risk for COVID-19 due to a medical condition. When will I be able to receive the vaccine?
Vaccine eligibility is based on the Government of Ontario’s three-phase distribution plan. Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers currently are part of Phase 2 of this plan.
On March 5, 2020, the Province of Ontario identified that individuals with the health conditions listed below will be vaccinated in order of risk, with the highest-risk individuals being vaccinated first, followed by high-risk and at-risk individuals.
16. I am a health-care worker. How do I register for a vaccine appointment? *(Updated)
Patient-facing health care workers classified as working in “very high priority” settings (which includes most community-based doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, and midwives) are able to use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Screening Tool to check eligibility and complete a pre-registration form. Online pre-registration can only be completed with a photo OHIP card. Eligible health care workers who do not have valid OHIP cards should call 613-691-5505 to pre-register.
17. What do I do if when I enter my postal code into the provincial booking system to book an appointment at a community clinic, I receive an error? *(New)
If you do not have one or live in a recently built neighbourhood, the Province of Ontario has directed clients to use the postal code of a shelter, library, or other community space in your area.
18. How do I cancel or reschedule my vaccine appointment? *(New)
If you scheduled an appointment through the provincial online vaccine booking system, you can reschedule or cancel:
- Online – go to the confirmation email you got when you booked and follow the instructions
- By calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007)
You will need the following:
- Your health card (information on front and back)
- Your postal code
If you booked your appointment with Ottawa Public Health directly, please call 613-691-5505 to reschedule. If you booked through The Ottawa Hospital, please email vaccines@toh.ca with any cancellations or appointment change requests.
Vaccine Distribution, Logistics & Planning
19. Where will I be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Various strategies will be used to distribute and administer vaccines across Ottawa, based on the quantity and type of vaccines received throughout 2021. The primary locations and strategies will include hospital clinics, community clinics, pharmacies, mobile vaccination teams, primary health care providers like family doctors and by other health care professionals such as nurses working in congregate living settings, including long-term care homes and shelters.
20. Where will the community clinics be located? (Updated)
The City of Ottawa has identified the following locations for community clinics to administer vaccines:
- Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue W.
- Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way
- Eva James Memorial Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, 265 Centrum Boulevard
- Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
- Canterbury Recreation Complex, 2185 Arch Street
- St-Laurent Complex, 525 Coté St.
In addition to community clinics, mobile vaccination teams will continue to be deployed as needed to reach targeted populations, including rural residents. Pop-up clinics will also be set up at select sites for multiple days but are not permanent. They will be located in neighbourhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 transmission.
21. When will the community clinics open? (updated)
Community clinics are opening incrementally, dependant on vaccine supply. The following community clinics are currently open for those eligible to receive a vaccine that have booked an appointment:
- Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, 265 Centrum Boulevard
Opening on Tuesday, March 23:
- Eva James Memorial Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive
- Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue W.
Timelines for opening community clinics will depend on vaccine supply and community clinics will be opened incrementally as supply increases. Once fully operational, these community clinics will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week and have the capacity to administer a total of nearly 11,000 immunizations per day.
22. What transportation options are available to those eligible to receive a vaccine? (Updated)
Residents who are eligible for vaccination are encouraged to make a transportation plan in advance of their appointment. This could include asking a family member or caregiver to provide you with a ride to your designated pop-up clinic. It could also include booking a ride with Para Transpo if you use this service. Para Transpo clients should use the Para Transpo COVID-19 Vaccination Trip Reservation telephone line at 613-842-3600. Customers will be able to book trips in advance by calling any day, seven days a week, between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. We ask customers to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination appointment with OPH before booking a trip on Para Transpo.
If a transportation option is not available to you, you can request a ride to and from the clinic through Ottawa Community Transportation after you have booked your appointment. Ottawa Community Transportation will contact you directly.
If you or someone you know require transportation but do not have online access, please contact 211 and they will help complete the transportation request form on your behalf. Please have your vaccine booking confirmation number available when calling. COVID-19 protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the rider and the driver, and wearing a mask is mandatory.
23. Do the various vaccine locations meet accessibility standards? (Updated)
Yes – the COVID-19 community vaccination clinic locations in Ottawa were selected with accessibility in mind. All sites are wheelchair accessible and are all equipped with a limited number of wheelchairs for those in need. However, due to limited availability, we are asking for those who can to bring their own.
Staff will be on hand at the clinics to assist residents who arrive for their vaccinations. Clients who need assistance will be allowed one support person to accompany them into the vaccination clinic.
24. Will there be pop-up clinics for people who live in rural or remote areas?
Yes – in addition to community clinics, pop-up clinics will be set-up to reach targeted populations in rural areas. These teams will be implemented as vaccine supply allows and the City of Ottawa is actively reviewing the next phase of pop-up clinics serving rural neighbourhoods.
25. Is parking available at the community clinics? *(New)
Parking options are available at each of the community clinic locations. Please select one of the following community clinics to view a map with information on parking, route access, and nearby transit routes:
- Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue W.
- Eva James Memorial Centre, 65 Stonehaven Drive
- Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, 265 Centrum Boulevard
- Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
26. Am I able to bring a support person with me to the appointment? *(New)
Staff will be on hand at the clinics to assist residents who arrive for their vaccinations. Clients who need assistance will be allowed one support person to accompany them into the vaccination clinic.
Vaccine Information & Safety
27. Is getting the COVID-19 vaccine voluntary?
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines will not be mandatory, but you are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
28. How do I decide if vaccination is the right choice for me and my family?
Feeling worried or hesitant is completely normal when something is new. Vaccination is a personal choice, and one that most Canadians agree is an important part of maintaining good health and for disease prevention.
29. Why should I get vaccinated against COVID-19?
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious diseases. Safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 are becoming available to protect us against COVID-19. While many people infected with COVID-19 experience only mild illness, others may get a severe illness or even die. There is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you, even if you are not considered to be at increased risk of severe complications. COVID-19 vaccination helps protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience the illness itself.
30. Can people who have already tested positive for COVID-19 get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes. Those who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 should still be vaccinated and people do not need COVID-19 testing prior to vaccination
31. What is the current status on dosing intervals and timing?
The Province of Ontario recently extended the interval between the first and second dose of vaccines. The second dose can now be provided up to 16 weeks after the first dose. If you already have an appointment for your second dose, you will be contacted to reschedule. Exemptions for this change include the following groups, who will continue to receive vaccine at the initial intervals as described in the product monographs:
- Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and Assisted Living facilities who are at the greatest risk of both exposure to COVID-19 and serious illness and death.
32. Will people have the choice of which COVID-19 vaccine they receive? *(New)
All four vaccines approved for use in Canada are safe and effective. They all reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and will help with the control of COVID-19 in the community.
The vaccine that you will be offered will depend on:
- Supply
- Availability at the time
- Storage requirement
- Your age
You may decline the vaccine product that you are offered; you will not be able to select between vaccine products.
Persons with allergies to a vaccine, or a specific component of a vaccine must consult a physician to determine if vaccination is still possible, and if so, with what vaccine.
Other Questions
33. How many people have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Ottawa?
For the latest information on COVID-19 data, including local vaccination statistics, please visit Ottawa Public Health’s Daily COVID-19 Dashboard.
34. How are we engaging the community and specific groups like Indigenous, seniors, racialized communities?
Ottawa Public Health has established a local Vaccine Sequence Strategy Task Force to advise the City’s Emergency Operations Centre on how to implement the sequence of vaccines given local context, including maximizing uptake among groups sequenced ahead of others. This Task Force includes representation from groups highly affected by COVID-19, such as newcomers, Indigenous, racialized people, older adults, and healthcare workers. The Vaccine Sequencing Task Force relies on the framework established by the Province of Ontario.
35. What can I do now and how can I help?
It will be several months until a vaccine is available to the general public. In the meantime, it is essential that we all continue to do our part to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in the community: limit your close contacts to those within your household, practice physical distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home except for essential reasons and follow local and provincial guidance.
Until vaccines are widely available, it remains important to take steps to protect yourself, your loved ones and our community against COVID-19. Learn more about things you can do to reduce virus spread by following OPH on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. To keep up-to-date with the latest information, follow “COVID Decoded” with Dr. Trevor Arnason, on OPH’s YouTube channel.
36. What mental health resources are available to those feeling anxious about vaccine availability?
The COVID-19 situation can be very stressful. It is OK to not be OK.
If you are in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991.
Please visit Ottawa Public Health’s Mental Health and COVID-19 page for an extensive list of resources, including a printable version of a Mental Health and COVID-19 Resource List.
More information