The following information was developed for Labatt by medical professionals and public health experts using Canadian government and other scientific and medical sources.
It is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you are wondering whether you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in your region, or want to book an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine, click on the link below to find the most up-to-date information and booking options for where you live.
The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada do not contain eggs, gelatin, pork, mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum, thimerosal, latex, or fetal cells.
The complete list of ingredients for each vaccine can be found at:
Pfizer-BioNTech: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines/pfizer-biontech.html
Johnson & Johnson: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/covid19-industry/drugs-vaccines-treatments/vaccines/janssen.html
No, the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada do not change or affect your DNA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and vector virus vaccines do not enter the nucleus of a cell where our DNA (genetic material) is stored.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved by Health Canada for use in children 16 years of age and older.
The Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved by Health Canada for use in individuals 18 years of age and above.
Studies are now underway to determine the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in younger children.
Children younger than 16 years old (for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) and younger than 18 years old (for the Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines) should not receive COVID-19 vaccines at this time.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that you wait at least 14 days after receiving another vaccine before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. NACI also recommends that you wait at least 28 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving another (non-COVID-19) vaccine.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, take the COVID-19 self-assessment tool and follow its recommendations. You should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine until you have recovered. If you are positive for COVID-19, you should wait until your period of self-isolation is over before receiving the vaccine.
In general, it is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when you are recovering from an illness. However, it is still recommended that you wait until you have recovered.
Speak with your doctor or health care provider before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination of individuals with autoimmune disease is limited. Individuals with autoimmune disease were excluded from the initial COVID-19 vaccine studies. However, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that a COVID-19 vaccine be offered to individuals who have autoimmune disease, if it is determined that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks for the individual, and informed consent includes discussion about the lack of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.
Speak with your doctor or health care provider before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination of immunosuppressed individuals is limited. Immunosuppressed populations were excluded from the initial COVID-19 vaccine studies. However, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that a COVID-19 vaccine be offered to individuals who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment, if it is determined that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks for the individual, and informed consent includes discussion about the lack of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.
Speak with your doctor or health care provider before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can increase the risk of severe illness and may result in preterm delivery and other negative outcomes. Together with your health care provider, you should weigh any potential risks of vaccination against the risk of COVID-19 infection. There is currently very little data regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and in breastfeeding women. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that the COVID-19 vaccine be offered to pregnant and breastfeeding women, if it is determined that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks to the individual or to the fetus or infant, and informed consent includes discussion about the lack of evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.
Health Canada currently recommends that women who want to get pregnant in the future may safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine, affects fertility.
Individuals with seasonal allergies can safely receive the vaccine.
You should not get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have a history of severe allergic reaction (also called anaphylaxis) to any ingredient in the vaccine. If you have a history of severe allergic reaction to something else that is not in the vaccine, you should discuss it with your health care provider before deciding whether or not to receive the vaccine.
If you are uncertain, speak with your doctor or health care provider before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.