Vaccines for COVID-19: How to get vaccinated

For most people who are previously vaccinated, the schedule is 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine per year.

Some people at increased risk of severe illness should receive 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per year, including those who are:

• 80 years of age and older
• residents of long-term care homes and other group living settings for seniors
• 6 months of age and older and also moderately to severely immunocompromised due to an underlying condition or treatment

As well, those 65 to 79 years of age who aren't in the list above may receive 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine per year.

For those previously vaccinated, the minimum interval between COVID-19 vaccine doses is 3 months. Provinces and territories will determine the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccine protection is higher shortly after vaccination. Given this, you may make individual decisions regarding the best time to be vaccinated based on factors like:

• time since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or positive test result
• extent of COVID-19 circulation in the community
• upcoming major events such as travel, significant medical procedures or large gatherings

Those who aren't previously vaccinated can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any time.

The schedule for most children 6 months to less than 5 years of age is 2 doses given 8 weeks apart.

Three doses given 4 to 8 weeks apart are needed for children 6 months to less than 5 years of age who:

• are moderately to severely immunocompromised and
• haven't been previously vaccinated against COVID-19

The schedule for most people 5 years of age and over who weren't previously vaccinated is 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Two or 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine given 4 to 8 weeks apart are needed for those 5 years of age and over who:

• are moderately to severely immunocompromised and
• haven't been previously vaccinated

It's safe to receive a COVID-19 vaccine following infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. While infection provides some protection against future infection, vaccination after infection:

• helps improve the immune response
• provides better and longer-lasting protection

Evidence suggests that waiting a period of time after infection with the COVID-19 virus before getting the COVID-19 vaccine may help improve the immune response.

If you've had a recent test confirming you were infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, you may consider delaying your COVID-19 vaccination as follows.

• If you've been previously vaccinated, an interval of 3 months from time of infection to vaccination may be considered.
• If you've not been previously vaccinated, the interval to consider waiting from infection to vaccination is:
  • 8 weeks for those who aren't immunocompromised
  • 4 to 8 weeks for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised

You may not have taken a test confirming infection or may be unsure if you've been recently infected. In this case, you can receive the vaccine any time if you weren't previously vaccinated. If you've been previously vaccinated, you can receive the updated vaccine if it's been at least 3 months after you received your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

There are no known safety risks with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after having a recent infection.