A person draws out Moderna vaccine during a drive through COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Kingston in January, 2022.Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press
Provinces and territories are rolling out their COVID-19 vaccine campaigns with cases already climbing as the fall virus season kicks off.
A national respiratory virus surveillance snapshot, which is updated weekly, shows more people are testing positive for COVID-19. About 10.5 per cent of tests were positive for the week ending Sept. 20, resulting in 2,463 detections. The positivity rate was 9.6 per cent the previous week.
Wastewater monitoring shows COVID-19 viral activity in Canada is moderate, though some test sites, in places such as Yukon and Newfoundland, are reporting high activity.
Quebec’s outgoing public-health director hopeful there will be enough free COVID-19 shots to go around
Public health officials say the vaccine is the best defence against more severe disease, hospitalization and even death.
The latest approved versions of the vaccine targets LP.8.1, a descendant of the Omicron variant. And now, for the first time, there is made-in-Canada COVID-19 shot. U.S. drugmaker Moderna Inc. is producing the mRNA vaccines at plants in Laval, Que., and Cambridge, Ont.
Two vaccines are available this year: Moderna Spikevax and Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty.
How do you know if you have COVID-19?
COVID-19 symptoms vary from person to person. Some of the more common ones include a sore throat, runny nose, new or worsening cough, feeling feverish, fatigue, muscle or body aches, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends people isolate at home and away from others if they have symptoms, even mild, or do not feel well.
If you develop severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency numbers. Those symptoms include trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath, persistent pressure or pain in the chest, difficulty waking up or staying awake and pale, grey or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds,
Who should receive the vaccine?
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the vaccine for all Canadians 65 or older, as well as other groups deemed higher risk from the virus.
These include:
- Residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
- Individuals with underlying medical conditions
- Pregnant people
- Individuals in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
- Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities
- Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
NACI says all Canadians over the age of six months may receive a vaccine.
Where and when can I get the vaccine?
Most provinces and territories are starting their COVID-19 and influenza vaccination programs this month. Canadians can get their shots at a pharmacy, public health clinics or doctor’s office if they carry it, depending on their regional programs.
How are provinces making the vaccine available?
The federal government announced earlier this year that it would no longer procure COVID-19 vaccines – as it does with flu shots – and would leave procurement up to provinces and territories.
Most provinces are making the vaccine available to anyone for free, starting with high priority groups.
Only Alberta and Quebec have said they will charge residents who are not in high-risk groups, which include seniors, health care workers and the medically vulnerable.
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Quebec said it would charge between $150 and $180 to receive a shot if an individual is not eligible for free COVID-19 vaccination. Earlier this week, however, the eastern province said any leftover vaccine will be provided free of charge to those who want it while supplies last. Alberta will charge $100.
How can I protect myself and my loved ones from respiratory viruses?
Respiratory viruses can spread from person to person or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as phones, door handles or elevator buttons.
To protect yourself and others, Health Canada recommends wearing a well-fitted respirator or mask, getting vaccinated, washing your hands regularly, cleaning high-touch surfaces, improving indoor ventilation, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and staying home when sick.
