How and Where to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) continues to offer community-based and easy-to-access COVID-19 vaccination clinics. For information on receiving non-mRNA vaccines, please call the EOHU at 1-800-267-7120.

Before you go!

Please note that masks continue to be required at all EOHU clinics and offices.

Ensure you meet eligibility and interval criteria. Those who do not meet the minimum dose interval will be turned away from the COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Don't forget that pharmacies near you offer the COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider may also be offering COVID-19 vaccination.  Click here if you need assistance with booking or getting to your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

On this page

• First and second dose
• Third dose
• Fourth dose
• Options for getting the COVID-19 vaccine
• List of walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics
• Additional Vaccine Clinic Sites - By Appointment Only
• Additional resources

First and second dose

Everyone 5 years of age or older is eligible to receive their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Children must be 5 years of age or older when they receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

To receive your second dose, a minimum of 21 days must have passed since the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, or 28 days since the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, or 8 weeks if you had AstraZeneca. However, the interval between the first and second doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series that appears to be optimal are:

• 8 weeks for the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna); and
• At least 8 weeks for the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine

Please note that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are administered at COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the EOHU region. Those aged 17 and under who qualify for the vaccine will only be offered Pfizer vaccine for both doses, since Pfizer is the only vaccine approved for this age group at this time. The Pfizer vaccine is also recommended for individuals 18 to 24 years of age. Depending on vaccine availability, adults 25 years of age and older attending clinics for their 2nd dose may be offered either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine; they may not receive the same vaccine they received as a 1st dose, however both mRNA vaccines are interchangeable and provide strong protection against COVID-19. If you had AstraZeneca for your first dose you can safely take either Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca for your second dose for strong protection. Learn more about the interchangeability of vaccines.

If you need assistance or special accommodations at a vaccination clinic, please speak to any of our clinic employees. You may also call 1-800-267-7120. If you have any medical concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination, please consult with your primary care provider prior to getting your vaccine.

Third dose

Receiving a booster dose is highly recommended however is not mandatory to be considered fully vaccinated. A booster dose will help to provide eligible individuals with an improved immune response to prevent infection and may better prepare us for variants like Omicron.

Learn more about booster recommendations here and here.

Fourth dose

As of April 7, 2022, individuals aged 60 and over as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over can book their 4th dose appointment online via the provincial booking system or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Booster doses are being offered to these individuals at a recommended interval of five months after receiving their third dose and 3 months after a COVID-19 infection. If it has not been 5 months since the third dose, individuals would need to call the provincial booking line as the online system will not allow an individual to book.

Learn more about booster recommendations and other eligible groups here and here.

Options for getting the COVID-19 vaccine