COVID-19 Vaccines
Which vaccine is HS Medical offering?
Updated February 7, 2022
Our clinic is currently not offering the COVID-19 vaccine. Please check back on the website or register for Avocare to get communication updates.
Who can get the vaccine?
TORONTO COVID-19 VACCINE CRITERIA (5+) *Updated February 7, 2022
City of Toronto Mass Immunization Clinics and other locations:
- Who is eligible? Age 5 & older
- How to book? https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or call 1-833-943-3900
Pharmacy Vaccination:
Who is eligible? Age 5 & older
How to book? https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
- For further information on Ontario’s vaccine roll out please visit: Public Health Ontario (PHO) – COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Plan
What vaccines are available in Canada?
Type: mRNA vaccine
Administration: Two intramuscular injections given 28 days apart
Storage: -25oC to -15oC
Efficacy: 94% effective in preventing COVID-19 in previously uninfected individuals based on clinical trials
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html
Type: mRNA vaccine
Administration: Two intramuscular injections given 21 days apart
Storage: – 80oC to – 60oC
Efficacy: 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 in previously uninfected individuals based on clinical trials
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. With over 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Canada, the rate of serious adverse reaction (including anaphylaxis) is 0.009% (Health Canada, February 2021)
The common side effects include:
- -pain at the injection site
- -muscle pain
- -fever
- -headache
- -fatigue
Studies show that these normally resolve within 1 week of vaccination.
The Centre for Effective Practice has developed handouts that list common side effects and unusual symptoms following vaccination with Moderna and Pfizer. We encourage you to: Access the after-care handout for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Who can receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Moderna vaccine can be given to those 18 years of age or older
The Pfizer-Biotech vaccine can be given to those 5 years of age or older
Pregnant individuals are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at any point in their pregnancy. Many people who are pregnant have gotten very sick from COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and critical care. Getting vaccinated is safe and an important way to be protected in pregnancy.
Contact our office to speak to your your doctor or if you have questions about getting vaccinated and to understand benefits of getting the vaccine compared to the risks of getting the COVID-19 infection. For many people, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the safest choice.
The Society of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of Canada 
also recommends pregnant people get vaccinated in pregnancy. Many pregnant people who get COVID-19 can have mild symptoms. However, especially with the new variants spreading in Ontario, some can get very sick and develop respiratory complications that need care in the hospital. Giving birth too early in pregnancy (preterm birth) may be more common.
Vaccines can protect against these variants and lower the risk of severe illness while pregnant. All COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy and are being used around the world.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, it is recommended to get both doses of the vaccine ahead of pregnancy (where possible) when it’s available to you. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant soon after getting the first dose of the vaccine you will have to decide if you should get the second dose. The decision should be made by looking at the risks of not being completely vaccinated during pregnancy.
While COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials did not include people who were pregnant or breastfeeding, many people who are pregnant and have been vaccinated are being followed to ensure the vaccine continues to be safe.
Pregnant and breastfeeding patients were excluded from the initial clinical trials; however recently Pfizer-NBiotech and Moderna have started clinical trials for pregnant patients.
A consensus statement by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada:
“Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at anytime if
they are eligible and no contraindications exist.”
Currently the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is indicated for those aged 5 to 17 yrs of age and older.