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COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

Answers to pharmacists’ most important questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

How will community pharmacy support COVID-19 vaccination?

Provincial and territorial governments continue to evolve and implement their vaccine rollout plans according to Canada’s 7-point COVID-19 Immunization Plan and NACI’s Recommendations on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines. Pharmacists and community pharmacies in many jurisdictions are administering COVID-19 vaccines. The Government of Canada maintains a webpage with up-to-date information on the vaccine rollout process for each province and territory.

Which COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Canada?

Hundreds of vaccine manufacturers have vaccine candidates in different stages of clinical trials. Canada has secured vaccine supply from 7 different manufacturers, several of which have been submitted to Health Canada for approval.

To date, the following vaccines have been authorized for use in Canada:

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

  • mRNA vaccine; requires ultra-cold storage (vials may be stored between -25°C to -15°C for up to 2 weeks)
  • Approved for use in individuals aged 12+
  • 2 dose regimen, minimum 21 days apart
  • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine
  • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
  • For more information, consult the product monograph.

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

  • mRNA vaccine; store between -25°C to -15°C
  • Approved for use in individuals aged 18+
  • 2 dose regimen, minimum 28 days apart
  • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine
  • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
  • For more information, consult the product monograph.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

  • Adenovirus vector vaccine; store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C)
  • Approved for use in individuals aged 18+
  • 2 dose regimen, minimum 4 to 12 weeks apart
  • If possible, the COVID-19 vaccine should not be given within 14 days of receiving any other vaccine
  • At a minimum, 28 days should elapse after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any additional vaccines
  • For more information, consult the product monograph.

Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

  • Adenovirus vector vaccine; store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C)
  • Approved for use in individuals aged 18+
  • Single dose regimen
  • For more information, consult the product monograph.

Additional information on all approved vaccines can be found in  Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines published by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Can COVID-19 vaccines be administered in different dosing intervals?

Due to recent vaccine supply and distribution challenges, the Government of Canada is revisiting the immunization schedule and NACI has published guidance that outlines key factors for consideration when adjusted dosing intervals may be required. Although it is advisable to follow the recommended schedule, NACI recommends extending the second dose for up to 4 months in the context of limited vaccine supply. This recommendation maximizes the number of individuals benefitting from the first dose of the vaccine. Certain populations (e.g., oncology patients and solid organ transplant recipients) may follow dosing intervals that are closer to the roiginal recommended schedule. Check with individual public health units for guidance.

Can the first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine be of different types?

Due to changes in the recommended use and supply of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine in Canada, as well as its use as a first dose for many Canadians in the provinces and territories, NACI has published guidance on the interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines. The NACI Recommendation on Interchangeability of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines states that for those who received the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD as their first dose, the second dose should be an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), and this will not require require restarting the series (i.e., the mRNA vaccine will count as a second dose). For those who received an mRNA vaccine as their first dose, the second dose can be the same or a different mRNA product only, and does not require restarting the series. The mRNA vaccine used in the second dose for either situation must be recommended for that age group. NACI has also recommended that mRNA vaccines be the preferred start to a vaccine series, and viral vector vaccines (AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD) should only be utilized when there is a contraindication or an allergy to the mRNA vaccine or its components, or if an mRNA vaccine is not readily available.Check with individual provincial or territorial governments and/or public health units for guidance.

How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?

All COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada are highly effective in preventing COVID-related hospitalization and death.

Summaries of all published evidence on efficacy and safety can be found within the Appendices of the NACI Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 vaccines:

How safe are the COVID-19 vaccines?

All COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada are safe. Serious adverse effects from any of the COVID-19  vaccines are rare. Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare adverse effect that has been associated specifically with viral vector vaccines. Following a number of international and media reports, Health Canada is continuing to monitor the incidence of myocarditis and pericarditis in patients after vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, however no association has been found connecting these instances to vaccination, and no regulatory action has been taken nationally or internationally. Common adverse events include injection site pain, fatigue, headache, body chills and feeling feverish. Health Canada is closely monitoring any reports of adverse events from the population as people receive the vaccines. Anyone who witnesses or experiences an adverse reaction to the vaccine is encouraged to report the reaction to their health care provider.

Pregnant, breastfeeding and immunocompromised patients were not included in initial clinical trials. Careful consideration should be given to the benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccine in these populations. Children were also not included in initial clinical trials, so there is limited data about this population and it is not recommended that they receive the vaccine at this time. Clinical trials are currently underway in the pediatric population and safety data will be released when it is available. Adolescents 12 to 15 years of age may be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the risks for the individual. The vaccine is contraindicated in individuals who have a history of anaphylaxis to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.

As more evidence accumulates and the pandemic evolves, recommendations and guidance on vaccine use may change. Refer to your public health unit for more information.

How many vaccines have been delivered and administered in Canada? How many people have been vaccinated?

Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Tracker for the most up-to-date information on number of doses delivered, number of doses administered and number of people who have received a vaccine, by jurisdiction. (More information about COVID-19 cases across Canada can be found on the broader COVID-19 Tracker.)