Welcome
No one in the Southwestern Public Health region has been untouched by COVID-19. Personally, and professionally, the days, weeks and months since March 2020 have been incredibly difficult for everyone.
Through a range of public health measures including physical distancing, face coverings, increased sanitation, and contact tracing, cases are down significantly. To further reduce transmission, illness, and hospitalization, an intensive community-wide vaccine effort is underway.
Vaccination is the key to the return of in-person learning, thriving business, group celebrations, team sports and worshipping together. Vaccination is the key to returning to the people and places we love most.
COVID-19 Vaccines are "Popping up" in a location near you:
All of these walk-in clinics have Pfizer, and are for anyone 12 or older
- Thursday July 29, 9am - 12:00pm, Thamesford Library
Thursday July 29, 1pm - 4pm, Embro Arena, Large Hall
Friday July 30, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Ingersoll District Memorial Arena
Friday July 30, 1pm - 3:30 pm, St. Thomas Summer Carnival
Tuesday August 3, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Tavistock Memorial Hall
Wednesday August 4, 9:30am - 12:30 pm, Malahide Community Place Springfield
Thursday August 5, 9:30am - 12:30pm, Aylmer Arena
Friday August 6, 9:30am - 1:30pm, Malahide South Dorchester Community Hall Lyons
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. How do I book an appointment? |
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We have an appointment just for you! Currently, everyone aged 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Ontario. Vaccines are offered through our public health clinics, participating pharmacies and participating primary care providers. How to Book: |
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2. I’m afraid of needles. Is there anything I can do to help me through my vaccine appointment? |
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In Canada, about 1 in 4 adults report they are afraid of needles and about 1 in 10 report that concerns about needle pain influence their decision to get vaccinated. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are critical in stopping the spread of the virus. One way to help reduce stress during vaccination is to use the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) system. Each letter category relates to a different group of evidence-based activities that you can use to have a better vaccination experience. C - Comfort • Comfort strategies encourage serenity and physical ease. • Our team at the immunization clinics will work to create a comfortable environment for you to get your vaccination. They will encourage you to sit upright and relax your arm (make your arm loose or jiggly, like cooked spaghetti). Let your nurse know if you are extra nervous or if you are prone to getting dizzy or fainting so that they can provide you with the support you need. • Wear short sleeves, or something that lets you show your upper arm easily for the needle. Eat a snack before you come. Bring a favourite item if that helps to calm you down (i.e. fidget toy). • If you get dizzy, tense your stomach and leg muscles.
A - Ask Questions • Ask questions to be prepared. • People are anxious when they do not have enough information. What questions do you have? Some common questions might be – What will happen on my turn? What vaccine am I getting? Can I use numbing cream or patches or bring a family member with me? R - Relax • Relax strategies help keep people calm. • Some strategies to help you relax include o Doing belly breathing (pretend to blow out a candle). Put a hand on your belly and feel it move in and out as you breathe. o Have a friend or family member with you D - Distract • Distract strategies shift attention away from the needle. Some ways to distract yourself include: o Talking to someone o Reading a book o Listening to music (bring headphones) o Allowing yourself to daydream o Focusing intently on something in the room. For example, find a picture or sign on the wall and concentrate on the details. Create as many new words as you can using the lettering on a sign. If you are looking at a painting, count the number of different items in the picture. • If you want to be distracted, during your vaccination, let your nurse know. Some people do not want to be distracted. That’s ok too. Resources CARD system poster for Students CARD Parent Pamphlet – Advice for parents to prepare children for vaccination |
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3. I am a bit nervous about attending a mass immunization clinic. What's it like? |
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It's perfectly normal to be nervous about a new experience. Our staff and volunteers are warm and friendly and committed to helping you through this. You can start by watching this video for a tour through a clinic. Then read through our tips about preparing for your appointment. Please note that the consent form shown in this video is no longer required, so don't worry about printing that out! |
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4. Is there a waitlist or cancellation list for COVID-19 vaccinations? |
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We call our cancellation list our "Same-Day Vaccination list". You must be eligible to sign up, and you must be able to arrive within 30 minutes. We will call on a first come, first served basis. Sign up today. |
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5. Unfortunately I need to cancel an appointment. How do I do this? |
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These things happen. If you are unable to cancel online at www.covidvaccinelm.ca, please complete this form and we'll cancel the appointment for you. |
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6. Do we still need to worry about COVID with so many people vaccinated? |
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Yes! Until our vaccination rates are higher, it is important to continue following public health measures to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community against COVID-19. That means:
Learn more about preventing the spread of COVID-19. |
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7. What vaccines are currently approved for use in Canada? |
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These are the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use by Health Canada. Learn about each of the approved vaccines, including how they work, how they are given, ingredients, allergies, possible side effects, safety monitoring and more:
View the Comparison Chart of Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada |
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8. How do mRNA vaccines work? |
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mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA to teach the body’s cells how to make a protein which will cause your body to have an immune response and make antibodies. These antibodies then help fight an infection if the virus which causes COVID-19 later enters the body. These vaccines do not use a live virus so they cannot give you COVID-19.
Did you know? The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are interchangeable. This means it doesn't matter which vaccine you get for your second dose - it can be "either/or". Biologically they work the same way in your body. If you get two of the same mRNA vaccines, or one of each, the end result will be excellent protection from COVID-19 and its variants.
Learn more about COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. |
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9. How do the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines work? |
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Learn more about the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. |
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10. How were COVID-19 vaccines approved so quickly? |
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COVID-19 vaccines go through the same review process that all vaccines go through to be authorized for use by Health Canada. The Federal Government of Canada dedicated scientific, financial and human resources to complete the review process for COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. Learn more about Health Canada’s Vaccine Development and Approval Process. |
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11. Are COVID-19 vaccines safe? |
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Yes. Only vaccines that Health Canada determine to be safe and effective are approved for use in Canada and made available in Ontario. Learn more about vaccine safety:
Watch these videos to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine safety in Canada:
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12. Can I still get the vaccine if I had COVID-19? |
| Yes. Getting a vaccine provides your body with additional immunity. |
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13. When can I get my second dose? |
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All individuals 12+ are eligible for a second dose of an mRNA vaccine as long as it has been 28 days since the first dose.
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14. I got AstraZeneca for my first dose. How do I get my second dose? |
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Ontario announced people who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can now receive their second dose 8 weeks later. You can choose to receive AstraZeneca or an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for your second dose.
If you would like the AstraZeneca vaccine for your second dose, the only option is to receive this at a pharmacy. Southwestern Public Health clinics do not have this vaccine. Find a pharmacy that offers Astra Zeneca. Some pharmacies in our region do not have any AstraZeneca yet but expect it to arrive in time for second doses.
If you would like an mRNA vaccine for your second dose, you can receive this either at a pharmacy (preferred option) or at a mass immunization clinic. To book at our mass immunization clinics online at www.covidvaccinelm.ca, scroll to box 5 “I received my first dose elsewhere and now need to book my second dose”. This will allow you to enter in the day you got your first dose, as well as the type of vaccine you got and will allow you to book an appointment when you are due. |
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15. I’d like to volunteer to help with COVID-19 vaccination clinics. How do I sign up? |
| Southwestern Public Health is now using the Ontario Matching Portal to accept expressions of interest from people wanting to help with mass immunization clinics. |
| 16. What resources are available for youth aged 12-17? |
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Youth aged 12+ became eligible for vaccinations in Ontario on May 23. Here are resources about vaccination for the 12-17 age group:
Ontario also has a very helpful website with information for youth and their parents/caregivers. Visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-youth. |
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17. How can I get a copy of my vaccination receipt? |
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You can view and print a copy of your vaccination receipt by visiting the Ontario Vaccination Portal at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/ You must have a green photo health card to view your vaccine record online. |
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18. How do I register my out of Province or out of Country COVID-19 vaccine? |
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Many people across the region received one or both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States or another country. If this applies to you, please register your vaccine here in Ontario. You can start by completing this form. |
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19. Are "mixed" vaccines safe and effective? |
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Receiving an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) after receiving AstraZeneca for your first dose
Receiving a different mRNA vaccine for your second dose than for your first dose Basic foundational vaccine principles inform that similar vaccines from different manufacturers are interchangeable when they:
Pfizer and Moderna meet all these criteria and are essentially the same vaccine, just produced by a different manufacturer. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that mixing mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will result in any decrease in safety or immune response. Due to this, NACI has declared the two mRNA vaccines to be interchangeable. Results from ongoing studies, including Canadian data, is also closely monitored by NACI to ensure ongoing safety and to make any updated recommendations.
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20. How can I help share the "Vaccination is Key" Message? |
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Thank you for asking! We've developed materials that you can share with friends, family, clients, customers and the broader community.
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Vaccine Rollout in Oxford, Elgin and the City of St. Thomas
Review Southwestern Public Health's local COVID-19 Vaccination Plan (also available in video)
The Ontario Ministry of Health, through the guidance of the provincial COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force directs the allocation of the vaccine.
Southwestern Public Health is currently providing mobile COVID-19 immunization clinics to targeted groups who are eligible for the vaccine as determined by the Ministry of Health. Learn about Ontario's 3 Phase Vaccination Plan.