Now that COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed worldwide, if you live in Canada, you should register for the vaccine soon. You must remember to book an appointment for the vaccine under the proper category, whether you’re a senior, a priority, or someone with comorbidity.
If you live in any of the provinces in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, or Yukon, you must know vital vaccination information. You can visit your local website to learn how you can register, where the vaccination centers are located, and to check when you can expect to get the vaccine.
For people planning to move to Canada, you will still need to get an immigration vaccine that works against COVID-19. Other than that, keep reading below to find out more about getting vaccinated in Canada to give you a clearer idea of what to expect.
How to Know if You’re Qualified for the COVID-19 Vaccine
All the various kinds of COVID-19 vaccines that the government is providing the citizens and residents of Canada can assure everyone that it is completely free—all you have to do is register for it. However, people on the priority list will be the first to receive it due to their medical complications or crucial situations.
Once the priority population has acquired the vaccine, only then will other citizens be given the signal to get the vaccine. The rules for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine apply to everyone living, working, and studying in Canada, regardless if you’re a citizen or not.
If you are 12 years old, you can receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while you can expect the Moderna vaccine, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine, or Janssen vaccine if you’re 18. If you require a vaccine that focuses on greater immunity and you’re 30 years old or above, the National Advisory Committee suggests getting one among the last three types of vaccines previously mentioned.
Why You Should Get Vaccinated to Combat COVID-19
Besides people belonging to the priority list, it’s crucial for pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with autoimmune diseases, and those with a poor immune system to receive the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine works to minimize your immune response to any of the available vaccines released in Canada.
By getting vaccinated, you can expect to receive protection against the deadly COVID-19 virus that has caused plenty of deaths globally within the past year. While getting vaccinated cannot assure you won’t become infected anymore, it can keep you from experiencing a severe health condition and prevent you from becoming hospitalized.
To become fully vaccinated, you will have to undergo two doses to ensure you receive long-term and maximum protection against COVID-19. Depending on the kind of vaccine you opt for, you will have to ask your healthcare provider when to return after receiving your first dose.
Interchangeability of Vaccines
In Canada, there are some local supply shortages happening, leading to people wondering whether it’s safe to mix different COVID-19 types depending on the availability. For instance, if one gets AstraZeneca for the first dose, would it be safe to get an mRNA vaccine such as Moderna or Pfizer?
According to Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, chairwoman of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization, it’s recommended that someone whose first dose is AstraZeneca receive an mRNA vaccine for their second dose. They attribute this recommendation to the results of a study in Germany and clinical trials in the u.K and Spain, where interchangeability of vaccines have been deemed safe. The agency expects to receive more data from ongoing studies in Canada in the coming months and will update its recommendations should there be any breakthroughs. However, at the moment, they approve—and encourage, even—for people to mix vaccines especially if the second dose of the same vaccine is not available.
Conclusion
With the vaccine well underway, you should figure out if they belong to the priority group and ensure you register for the COVID-19 vaccine immediately to avoid losing time. Now more than ever, you and your family and friends should strive to get vaccinated during the earliest time possible to significantly reduce your chances of becoming infected, bringing you one step closer to a life of normalcy.
Are you looking to receive the required vaccination for travel against COVID-19 in Edmonton? Heritage IDA Pharmacy offers the latest information on healthcare for people in need while placing greater focus on pharmacy care and personalized care. Get in touch with us today to find out if you’re qualified for the COVID-19 vaccine priority list to book a slot right away!
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