COVID-19 vaccination opportunities: week of May 2, 2022

Issued: Monday, May 2, 2022

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is offering several convenient opportunities in the Sudbury & Manitoulin districts this week to help you get your COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination opportunities for the week of May 2

More opportunities may be added throughout the week. For regular updates, follow us on social media @PublicHealthSD (Facebook, Twitter). Visit us online for up-to-date clinic details, including the clinic times and mRNA vaccine brand that is planned at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.

Tuesday, May 3

Appointment and walk-in clinics

Southridge Mall, Greater Sudbury
Freshwater Community Church (old Mindemoya Missionary Church), Mindemoya

Walk-in clinics

Berean Baptist Church, Greater Sudbury (mobile bus clinic)

Wednesday, May 4

Appointment and walk-in clinics

Southridge Mall, Greater Sudbury
Raymond Plourde Arena, Val Caron (mobile bus clinic)
Espanola Regional Recreation Complex, Espanola

Thursday, May 5

Appointment and walk-in clinics

Azilda Gilles Pelland Public Library, Azilda
168 Regional Road 8 Plaza, Onaping (mobile bus clinic)
New Sudbury Shopping Centre, Greater Sudbury

Friday, May 6

Appointment and walk-in clinics

Walden Kinsmen Hall, Lively
Southridge Mall, Greater Sudbury
Foodland, Noelville (mobile bus clinic)

Saturday, May 7

Appointment and walk-in clinics

Centennial Community Centre and Arena, Hanmer
NEMI Recreation Centre, Little Current

Walk-in clinics

Diggs & Dwellings Plaza, Greater Sudbury (mobile bus clinic)

Sensory-friendly service

Sensory-friendly is a service for individuals who require accommodations for sensory sensitivities during immunization.

How it works: Sensory-friendly services may include a private immunization station at one of our mass clinics where lights can be dimmed, noise kept to a minimum, and extra time allotted for the appointment. Alternatively, vaccine-to-vehicle service can be provided within a vehicle at the parking lot of a mass clinic as an alternative for those requiring sensory accommodations.

How to book: Appointments can only be booked by phone through the local call centre at 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200).

The call centre is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Booking online is not available.

Vaccine-to-vehicle service

Vaccine-to-vehicle is a service available at select mass immunization clinics. This service is available for individuals who are unable to receive their vaccine within a clinic setting for reasons such as sensory sensitivities, decreased mobility, or other health concerns.

How it works: An immunizer will come outside to the parking lot to provide the vaccine to individuals in their vehicle.

How to book: Appointments can only be booked by phone through the local call centre at 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200). The call centre is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is closed on statutory holidays. Booking online is not available.

Please note that during extreme weather or extreme cold that your appointment may be rebooked to ensure everyone’s safety.

Pharmacies and primary care

With many pharmacies and primary care providers providing COVID-19 vaccination, there are even more options available to get your first or second dose locally, every week. Visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations (Government of Ontario) for a list of pharmacies in Ontario offering COVID-19 vaccination and for booking information or contact your primary care provider.

Questions about vaccination

Whether you have questions about getting your first, second, third, or booster dose of vaccine or you have questions about youth vaccination, our clinic immunizers as well as our call centre staff can help answer your questions. Your health care provider is also a trusted source of reliable and credible information. Choosing vaccination is a choice and everyone deserves to have the information they need to be well informed.

Vaccine brands offered and supplies

All Public Health clinics offer one of two mRNA vaccine brands—either Moderna Spikevax or the pediatric and adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty. A reminder that for those 30 and older, the adult dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty and Moderna Spikevax vaccines can be safely interchanged. Based on vaccine supplies, the vaccine brand planned for use at any clinic is subject to change, possibly with limited notice. We encourage you to ask our immunizers for more information to help you make an informed decision and feel comfortable about getting either vaccine brand. To learn which mRNA vaccine brands are planned for our clinics, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.

Currently, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax) are the preferred COVID-19 vaccine options for the primary series and booster doses administered at all Public Health clinics. However, Public Health also keeps a limited supply of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) and Novavax (Nuvaxovid), non-mRNA vaccines.

Appointments can be booked for a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine by calling 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200) and providing a representative with your name and contact information. A representative will call you back to schedule an appointment once enough individuals have requested to receive a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines

First dose eligibility

Individuals five years of age and older can receive a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty pediatric dose (10 micrograms) is approved for children 5 years of age and older. Children 5 to 11 years of age must wait at least 14 days before or after receiving another vaccine prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (30 micrograms) is approved for youth who are 12 years and older.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty is preferentially recommended for individuals aged 18 to 29 years old and the only approved vaccine for youth aged 12 to 17.
- Everyone aged 29 and over can receive either Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax. These 2 mRNA vaccines can be safely interchanged.

Second dose eligibility

Children aged 5 to 11 who received their first pediatric dose of Pfizer-BioNTech more than 8 weeks ago.
Youth aged 12 years and older who received their first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine more than 56 days (8 weeks) ago.
Anyone who received their first dose of Moderna Spikevax vaccine more than 56 days (8 weeks) ago.
People who received AstraZeneca Vaxzevria 56 days ago (at least 8 weeks) and who would like to get an mRNA vaccine.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and Ontario Ministry of Health recommend an optimal interval of 8 weeks (56 days) between first and second doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty or Moderna Spikevax). According to NACI, there is emerging evidence that longer intervals between the first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccines result in more robust and durable immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness. Public Health will administer second doses 8 weeks (56 days) following administration of a first dose, with limited exceptions.

Third dose eligibility

The Government of Ontario recommends a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of a primary vaccine series (meaning 3 doses are needed for full immunity) for the following individuals:

Moderately to severely immunocompromised (see details at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics)

Booster dose eligibility

The Government of Ontario recommends a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to restore protection that may have decreased over time to a level for the following individuals:

Individuals 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Individuals 12 to 17 years of age who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months (168 days) or 3 months (84 days) with informed consent.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults 18 years of age and older including non-Indigenous household members, who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Eligible health care workers 18 years of age and older who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks) (see details at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics).
Individuals who received 2 doses of the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Individuals who received 1 dose of the Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks).
Vulnerable older adults in congregate settings who received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months ago (84 days, 12 weeks) (see details at phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics).
Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals who are eligible for a three dose primary series may receive a booster dose (a fourth dose) 6 month (168 days, 24 weeks) after their third dose.

Expanded eligibility for fourth dose booster of COVID-19 vaccine

The Ontario Government has expanded eligibility for fourth doses to provide an extra layer of protection against both the Omicron BA.1 and BA. 2 variants. As of April 7, 2022, fourth-dose eligible populations include:

Individuals aged 60 years and over at the time of vaccination.
Those who identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 years and over at the time of vaccination.

Book an appointment

Anyone eligible for a dose can book an appointment as soon as they are eligible. To book online, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.8866.522.9200), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For a list of scheduled clinics, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19/vaccine-clinics.

Preparing for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

All vaccination clinics have COVID-safety measures in place. You must not attend a clinic if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are in isolation due to a COVID-19 exposure.

Bring your health card. If you do not have a health card or your health card is expired, bring another form of government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, Status card, or birth certificate.
Eat and drink something before you arrive at your appointment to prevent feeling faint or dizzy while being vaccinated.
Do not show up until 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
When possible, please limit the number of support people attending a vaccination clinic to one person.
Dress for the weather, you may have to wait in line if you plan on attending a walk-in clinic.
Wear a top that allows for easy access to the upper arm such as a loose-fitting top or a T-shirt.
Wear a medical mask that covers your nose, mouth, and chin. If you do not have a medical mask, pediatric and adult medical masks will be available at the entrance to the clinic.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not attend the clinic.

For more information or if you have questions, please talk to trusted sources such as Public Health immunizers at COVID-19 vaccine clinics, health care providers, and pharmacists, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19 or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).