Whether you are providing COVID-19 immunizations at this time or not, you will no doubt be getting questions on the current status of vaccine approvals and who / when / how people will be immunized.
Here are some resources to help you answer common questions about the immunization process and current plans so you can help inform your patients.
Alberta’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Albertans are being vaccinated as fast as supply allows. This is happening in phases so people most at risk get it first. More groups will be eligible as we get more doses.
Review the phases to find out when it’s your turn. Exact timelines will depend on vaccine supply. Sign up to be notified of changes.
For specific information about the phases in Alberta, please visit:
- Alberta’s COVID vaccine program overview (targeted to the general public as well)
BC’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
BC is using the national framework to immunization, adapting it to fit the provincial context. The BC plan has 4 phases.
- BC’s 4 phases (BCCDC)
BC’s overall plan aligns with the national guidance. Much of the early phases will be run through public health and the BC health authorities through dedicated immunization clinics in communities across the province. B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan happens in four phases. Eligibility for all phases is based on the age you are turning in 2021.
Current Status: Phase 3
The province is now in phase 3 of the plan: Vaccines in Phase 3 and Phase 4 will primarily be distributed in five year age increments. Monthly breakdowns for dose one (D1) are estimates and may change based on vaccine availability. Second doses will be administered approximately 16 weeks after dose one.
PEOPLE AGED 55-65 In Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health can get the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine at eligible pharmacies with vaccine supply. Find an eligible pharmacy near you.
PEOPLE AGED 16-74 WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE and have received their patient invitation letter to get vaccinated can now book a vaccine appointment.
REGISTRATION for eligible patients is now open.
Direct patients to REGISTER TO GET VACCINATED
Timeline: April to May 2021
- People aged 79 to 60, in five year increments:
- 79 to 75 (D1 April)
- 74 to 70 (D1 April)
- 69 to 65 (D1 April)
- 64 to 60 (D1 April/May)
- Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) peoples aged 64 to 18 (D1 April)
- People aged 74 to 16 who are clinically extremely vulnerable (D1 March/April)
REGISTRATION for eligible patients is now open.
Direct patients to REGISTER TO GET VACCINATED
Next Phase: Phase 4
Timeline: May to June 2021
- People aged 59 to 18, in five year increments:
- 59 to 55 (D1 May)
- 54 to 50 (D1 May)
- 49 to 45 (D1 May)
- 44 to 40 (D1 May/June)
- 39 to 35 (D1 May/June)
- 34 to 30 (D1 June)
- 29 to 25 (D1 June)
- 24 to 18 (D1 June)
Immunization clinics
Immunization clinics are being organized in 172 communities in B.C and will be overseen by your local health authority. The clinics will be held at large centres including:
- School gymnasiums
- Arenas
- Convention halls
- Community halls
Mobile clinics will be available for some rural communities and for people who are homebound due to mobility issues
Proof of Immunization
In BC there will be either a paper or digital proof of immunization provided. It will also be available online through the Health Gateway.
Manitoba’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Manitoba has a plan to expand immunization for COVID-19 that ensures the health care system, vulnerable populations and priority groups have the maximum protection possible. Please find the Province of Manitoba’s link below, to view the most recent information scroll down the page to reports. Here you will find the most recent technical briefing on vaccine criteria.
Getting Vaccinated at a Medical Clinic
The AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine doses will primarily be used to provide COVID-19 vaccines in doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Manitoba public health officials have developed guidance for the use of the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine. This information is being shared with providers and posted online to guide how appointments are booked once the vaccine is available in Manitoba clinics and pharmacies.
Please find the latest criteria here:
Getting vaccinated at a Super-Sites or Pop-up Clinic
You can book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment online. If you are eligible to be immunized, you can now book your vaccine appointment online for any of our supersites, quickly and conveniently.
To book, you’ll need to create an account with your email address and health card number. You can link more than one person to the same account, so that you can book for family members and loved ones as they become eligible.
If you don’t have an email address, the call centre continues to be available at 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) to book appointments at supersites and pop-up clinics. Daily hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Below you can see if meet current eligibility.
Proof of Immunization
Immunization Records in Manitoba are available online, printing the record is possible through the portal.
New Brunswick’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
New Brunswick’s COVID-19 Immunization plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. It is summarized in this diagram and more details are available through New Brunswick’s COVID-19 vaccine site.
For a list of additional COVID-19 resources please see:
Newfoundland’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 Immunization plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Ontario’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Ontario has developed a three-phased vaccine distribution plan. Vaccination rollout phases will be continuous and overlapping.
Ontario has developed an ethical framework to guide decisions about vaccine prioritization, recognizing the application of these principles will be context-dependent and that other information may be relevant for decision-making.
Public Health Units will lead local vaccination distribution efforts. Hospitals will continue to lead vaccination of hospital-based physicians and healthcare workers.
We are currently in phase 1, where supply is focused on the most vulnerable populations, and the highest risk health care workers. Phase 2 is currently slotted for a start time of April 2021. In phase 1, vaccines are allocated to residents, staff, and essential caregivers of long-term care and high-risk retirements homes, and First Nations care homes. Highest priority HCWs are also prioritized, along with Indigenous adults in remote and higher-risk communities. The next priority in phase 1 is all adults over age 80, Indigenous adults, and adults who receive chronic home care. Retirement home residents, staff and essential caregivers are prioritized, along with high priority health care workers.
PEI’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
PEI’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Quebec’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Nous n’avons pas reçu de contenu provincial spécifique pour ici, veuillez vous référer aux documents nationaux ou à votre site CDC provincial.
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Plan is designed to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. The Saskatchewan Plan has two phases.
Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan is built on the foundation of age as the main risk factor. Phase 1 is focused on vaccinating high-risk populations, people of advanced age, and health care workers that have been identified as a priority. Phase 2 is focused on vaccinating the general population by age, as well as the clinically extremely vulnerable and people in emergency shelters and group homes. Focusing on age as a primary risk factor will enable Saskatchewan residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a more efficient and timely manner.
Summary of Phases:
Saskatchewan is now in phase 1 of the plan. Immunization is being targeted to priority populations, including long-term care residents, health care workers and vulnerable populations.
- Phase 1 includes long-term care and personal care home residents and staff, residents 70 years and older in all communities, residents over the age of 50 living in remote/Northern Saskatchewan and high-risk healthcare workers.
- Phase 2 includes the general public and will focus on vaccinating the general public in 10 year increments starting with those 60-69 and ending with those 18-29.
Proof of Immunization:
In Saskatchewan electronic and paper copies of vaccination records will be available. People will receive a wallet card with a record of their COVID-19 vaccination and their record will also be stored electronically on MySaskHealthRecord.
Provincial COVID-19 Immunization Plans
Error: we are not able to resolve your region and cannot show you provincial content at this time. Please review your provincial materials below.
Alberta
Albertans are being vaccinated as fast as supply allows. This is happening in phases so people most at risk get it first. More groups will be eligible as we get more doses.
Review the phases to find out when it’s your turn. Exact timelines will depend on vaccine supply. Sign up to be notified of changes.
For specific information about the phases in Alberta, please visit:
- Alberta’s COVID vaccine program overview (targeted to the general public as well)
BC
BC is using the national framework to immunization, adapting it to fit the provincial context. The BC plan has 4 phases.
- BC’s 4 phases (BCCDC)
BC’s overall plan aligns with the national guidance. Much of the early phases will be run through public health and the BC health authorities through dedicated immunization clinics in communities across the province. B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan happens in four phases. Eligibility for all phases is based on the age you are turning in 2021.
Current Status: Phase 3
The province is now in phase 3 of the plan: Vaccines in Phase 3 and Phase 4 will primarily be distributed in five year age increments. Monthly breakdowns for dose one (D1) are estimates and may change based on vaccine availability. Second doses will be administered approximately 16 weeks after dose one.
PEOPLE AGED 55-65 In Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health can get the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine at eligible pharmacies with vaccine supply. Find an eligible pharmacy near you.
PEOPLE AGED 55-65 In Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health can get the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine at eligible pharmacies with vaccine supply. Find an eligible pharmacy near you.
PEOPLE AGED 16-74 WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE and have received their patient invitation letter to get vaccinated can now book a vaccine appointment.
REGISTRATION for eligible patients is now open.
Direct patients to REGISTER TO GET VACCINATED
Timeline: April to May 2021
- People aged 79 to 60, in five year increments:
- 79 to 75 (D1 April)
- 74 to 70 (D1 April)
- 69 to 65 (D1 April)
- 64 to 60 (D1 April/May)
- Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) peoples aged 64 to 18 (D1 April)
- People aged 74 to 16 who are clinically extremely vulnerable (D1 March/April)
Next Phase: Phase 4
Timeline: May to June 2021
- People aged 59 to 18, in five year increments:
- 59 to 55 (D1 May)
- 54 to 50 (D1 May)
- 49 to 45 (D1 May)
- 44 to 40 (D1 May/June)
- 39 to 35 (D1 May/June)
- 34 to 30 (D1 June)
- 29 to 25 (D1 June)
- 24 to 18 (D1 June)
Immunization clinics
Immunization clinics are being organized in 172 communities in B.C and will be overseen by your local health authority. The clinics will be held at large centres including:
- School gymnasiums
- Arenas
- Convention halls
- Community halls
Proof of Immunization
In BC there will be either a paper or digital proof of immunization provided. It will also be available online through the Health Gateway.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan
Manitoba has a plan to expand immunization for COVID-19 that ensures the health care system, vulnerable populations and priority groups have the maximum protection possible. Please find the Province of Manitoba’s link below, to view the most recent information scroll down the page to reports. Here you will find the most recent technical briefing on vaccine criteria.
Getting Vaccinated at a Medical Clinic
The AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine doses will primarily be used to provide COVID-19 vaccines in doctors’ offices and pharmacies. Manitoba public health officials have developed guidance for the use of the AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine. This information is being shared with providers and posted online to guide how appointments are booked once the vaccine is available in Manitoba clinics and pharmacies.
Please find the latest criteria here:
Getting vaccinated at a Super-Sites or Pop-up Clinic
You can book your COVID-19 vaccine appointment online. If you are eligible to be immunized, you can now book your vaccine appointment online for any of our supersites, quickly and conveniently.
To book, you’ll need to create an account with your email address and health card number. You can link more than one person to the same account, so that you can book for family members and loved ones as they become eligible.
If you don’t have an email address, the call centre continues to be available at 1-844-626-8222 (1-844-MAN-VACC) to book appointments at supersites and pop-up clinics. Daily hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Below you can see if meet current eligibility.
Proof of Immunization
Immunization Records in Manitoba are available online, printing the record is possible through the portal.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s COVID-19 Immunization plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. It is summarized in this diagram and more details are available through New Brunswick’s COVID-19 vaccine site.
For a list of additional COVID-19 resources please see:
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 Immunization plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Ontario
Ontario has developed a three-phased vaccine distribution plan. Vaccination rollout phases will be continuous and overlapping.
Ontario has developed an ethical framework to guide decisions about vaccine prioritization, recognizing the application of these principles will be context-dependent and that other information may be relevant for decision-making.
Public Health Units will lead local vaccination distribution efforts. Hospitals will continue to lead vaccination of hospital-based physicians and healthcare workers.
We are currently in phase 1, where supply is focused on the most vulnerable populations, and the highest risk health care workers. Phase 2 is currently slotted for a start time of April 2021. In phase 1, vaccines are allocated to residents, staff, and essential caregivers of long-term care and high-risk retirements homes, and First Nations care homes. Highest priority HCWs are also prioritized, along with Indigenous adults in remote and higher-risk communities. The next priority in phase 1 is all adults over age 80, Indigenous adults, and adults who receive chronic home care. Retirement home residents, staff and essential caregivers are prioritized, along with high priority health care workers.
PEI
PEI’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan is being designed to best fit the population needs. See more information here:
Quebec
Nous n’avons pas reçu de contenu provincial spécifique pour ici, veuillez vous référer aux documents nationaux ou à votre site CDC provincial.
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Plan is designed to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19. The Saskatchewan Plan has two phases.
Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan is built on the foundation of age as the main risk factor. Phase 1 is focused on vaccinating high-risk populations, people of advanced age, and health care workers that have been identified as a priority. Phase 2 is focused on vaccinating the general population by age, as well as the clinically extremely vulnerable and people in emergency shelters and group homes. Focusing on age as a primary risk factor will enable Saskatchewan residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in a more efficient and timely manner.
Summary of Phases:
Saskatchewan is now in phase 1 of the plan. Immunization is being targeted to priority populations, including long-term care residents, health care workers and vulnerable populations.
- Phase 1 includes long-term care and personal care home residents and staff, residents 70 years and older in all communities, residents over the age of 50 living in remote/Northern Saskatchewan and high-risk healthcare workers.
- Phase 2 includes the general public and will focus on vaccinating the general public in 10 year increments starting with those 60-69 and ending with those 18-29.
Proof of Immunization:
In Saskatchewan electronic and paper copies of vaccination records will be available. People will receive a wallet card with a record of their COVID-19 vaccination and their record will also be stored electronically on MySaskHealthRecord.
National Immunization Approach
PHAC has provided overall guidance and coordinates vaccine distribution with the provinces. For the most up to date and official Canadian information, see the following links:
- PHAC – Groups that will get the vaccine first
- PHAC – Vaccines and treatments for COVID-19: Vaccine rollout
Here is a useful poster (in multiple languages) you can get and print or email for patients:
- What you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for Canada. (Poster in multiple languages)
Overall Approach to Prioritization for Immunization
A common question we are getting is: how are people being prioritized? It can be helpful to talk about these four aspects being used to guide prioritization. People are higher priority if they are:
- At high risk for mortality (and hospitalization) from COVID-19 infection
- Providing healthcare services (and later other essential services)
- At higher risk of potential exposure due to congregate living situations
- Remote where it would be hard to access higher levels of care if they were to become sick.
Information on Approved Vaccines
Vaccines are approved nationally. Currently there are four approved vaccines in Canada. The Centre for Effective Practice in Ontario has a useful recent and updated evidence review on the vaccine trials:
- Centre for Effective Practice COVID-19 Vaccines Summary (Centre for Effective Practice)
Health Canada has an official page of information on COVID-19 vaccines:
- COVID-19 Vaccines (PHAC)
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Given the strict distribution and handling requirements for this vaccine, we are not expecting it to be used outside of specific, larger scale, centralized clinics and perhaps some rural-remote settings.
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph (Health Canada)
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
The Moderna vaccine, while it has specific handling requirements, is much easier to handle in community-based settings.
- Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph (Health Canada)
AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
Health Canada authorized the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on February 26, 2021. This is an exciting update for primary are as this vaccine uses an adenovirus vector and so has the same handling requirements as other vaccines we have in our offices, and thus will not require retooling our refrigeration in primary care. As of March 1, the distribution plans at the national and provincial levels have not been worked out, but we are expecting some changes.
- AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: What you should know (PHAC)
- AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph (PHAC)
Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
Health Canada authorized the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on March 05, 2021. It is a viral vector vaccine that only requires a single dose. This is potentially another option for primary care clinics as it would use our existing vaccine distribution chain and not require additional cold storage.
- Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Health Canada)
- Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Monograph (Health Canada)
Emerging Evidence for Special Populations
Several groups have been highlighted as potentially excluded for immunizations. Many simply were excluded from the initial studies (e.g. immunocompromised patients, pregnant or breastfeeding women, children) and some studies are ongoing to better understand actual risks, if any. In general, a discussion and informed consent is critical for all patients, particularly those who need to understand the lack of current research. The Centre for Effective Practice has summarized the populations to consider below.
COVID-19 Information for Patients
Here are several quick, up to date resources from Health Canada to help you answer some of your patients’ questions around COVID-19:
- Help Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 (patient poster-email handout in multiple languages)
- Help Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 (for Indigenous communities, in multiple languages)
- COVID-19 Symptoms and Treatment
- COVID-19 Prevention and Risks
COVID-19 Immunization Information for Patients
Here is a poster you can print in multiple languages for your office or link to the PDF in email newsletters:
There are several resources designed by and for Indigenous Peoples, including:
- COVID-19 vaccines and Indigenous Peoples (from Indigenous Services Canada)
- BC’s First Nation’s Health Authority’s Immunization FAQ
Alberta’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccine Questions & answers (FAQ) for the public and health-care practitioners
BC CDC’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
BC has a number of general handouts available for patients with symptoms, those who are self-isolating, etc., as well as some frequently asked questions:
The BC CDC has a lot of information for patients on immunization planning including:
Manitoba’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
Please find below Doctor’s of Manitoba Vaccine Resource Centre. This resource has suggested scripts and email templates, webinars and a guide to responding to vaccine hesitancy.
New Brunswick’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
Pregnant and breastfeeding:
Immunocompromised:
Complex medical conditions:
- Review the list of complex medical conditions. At the time of your appointment you must present this signed declaration.
Newfoundland’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Nova Scotia’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Ontario’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
PEI’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Quebec’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
Nous n’avons pas reçu de contenu provincial spécifique pour ici, veuillez vous référer aux documents nationaux ou à votre site CDC provincial.
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Saskatchewan’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
Province Specific Patient Information on COVID-19
Error: we are not able to resolve your region and cannot show you provincial content at this time.
Alberta
COVID-19 Vaccine Questions & answers (FAQ) for the public and health-care practitioners
BC
BC has a number of general handouts available for patients with symptoms, who are self-isolating, etc., as well as some frequently asked questions:
The BC CDC has a lot of information for patients on immunization planning including:
Manitoba
Manitoba’s Patient Information Links on COVID-19
Please find below Doctor’s of Manitoba Vaccine Resource Centre. This resource has suggested scripts and email templates, webinars and a guide to responding to vaccine hesitancy.
New Brunswick
Pregnant and breastfeeding:
Immunocompromised:
Complex medical conditions:
- Review the list of complex medical conditions. At the time of your appointment you must present this signed declaration.
Newfoundland
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Nova Scotia
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
PEI
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Quebec
Nous n’avons pas reçu de contenu provincial spécifique pour ici, veuillez vous référer aux documents nationaux ou à votre site CDC provincial.
We have not received specific provincial content for here, please refer to the national materials or your provincial CDC site.
Saskatchewan
Other recommended sites:
- CEP has a section for patients as well that includes handouts and FAQs (Ontario centric)
- Immunize Canada has a summary of COVID-19 links and materials as well, including a lot for patients.
Other COVID-19 Information
This guide focuses on immunizations, if you have other general COVID-19 questions, please look to these sources:
And here are some additional COVID-19 resources that provide more broad information on COVID-19:
- Centre for Effective Practice’s COVID-19 Resource Portal
- CFPC COVID-19 Portal with up to date information, webinars, and more patient resources
- CMPA COVID-19 Hub – provides information on a range of potential issues related to changes in care due to COVID-19, including medical-legal liability questions.