COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

Public health has limited appointments available ONLY for children aged 6 months to 4 years who cannot access a pharmacy.

If you have a child aged 6 months - 4 years, book a COVID-19 Vaccine at Southwestern Public Health

Other ways to get vaccinated

If you are an adult who hasn’t had a COVID-19 infection or dose within the past 6 months, you can only get a COVID-19 vaccine through:

• Pharmacies:
  Find a pharmacy offering COVID-19 vaccines (Call ahead to ensure availability)

• Primary Care Providers:
  Contact your doctor or nurse practitioner to check if they offer the vaccine

What’s the current COVID-19 situation in our community?

You can track local COVID-19 and respiratory illness trends for Oxford, Elgin, and St. Thomas by checking the Respiratory Illness Activity Dashboard.

Preparing for your vaccination

Checklist for your appointment

• Wear a face covering at all times

• Wear short sleeves for easy access to your upper arm

• Bring your health card and ID

Feeling nervous?

If you're nervous about needles, the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) system can help. Our clinic staff will support you to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

What happens during your vaccination?

• Plan to spend about 30 minutes at the clinic

• Parking is free

• Follow public health guidelines: wear a mask, sanitize your hands, and practice physical distancing. A mask will be provided if needed

• Recovery period: Stay for 5 to 15 minutes after your shot

• Washrooms are available on-site

Need assistance?

If you need help with mobility, vision, hearing, or cognitive concerns, please bring a support person with you.

After your vaccination

Common side effects

You may experience:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

• Tiredness

• Headache

• Muscle or joint pain

• Chills or fever

These side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Serious side effects

Serious reactions are rare. If you experience any severe symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

COVID-19 vaccine information for children and youth

Why vaccinate children and youth?

• Children can still get sick, spread COVID-19, or experience long-term effects

• Children with underlying conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness

Consent for children under 12

A parent or legal guardian must provide consent at the appointment

Resources

• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children & Youth Factsheet (Ontario)

• My Comfort Plan (Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre)

• Health Canada Vaccine Safety Information

COVID-19 FAQs

Is the vaccine safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Yes. Check these resources for more information:

• Health Canada

• Dalhousie University

Need help talking to your child about vaccination?

• UNICEF Tips for Talking to Children

• Health Canada’s Guidance for Vaccination Discussions

Questions?

• Contact your child’s primary care provider

COVID-19 illness and testing

Do I have COVID-19?

Use the Self-Assessment Tool to check your symptoms.

Where can I get tested?

• PCR testing is limited. Find PCR testing locations (call ahead to confirm availability)

• For antivirals like Paxlovid, consult your primary care provider or pharmacist

Preventing COVID-19

Key prevention tips

• Get all recommended vaccine doses

• Wash your hands frequently

• Wear a mask in indoor public spaces, especially if you’re at higher risk

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces

Masking benefits

• Protects others by containing your respiratory particles

• Protects you by reducing particles you inhale

Read more about masking from Public Health Ontario

Treatment for COVID-19

Antiviral treatment (Paxlovid)

If you’re at high risk (65+ or immunocompromised) and test positive, seek treatment within 5 days of symptoms starting.

Check your eligibility with the COVID-19 Antiviral Screener Tool

If symptoms worsen

Seek immediate medical care if your symptoms become severe.

Additional resources

• Respiratory Virus Dashboard for Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas

• Public Health Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool

• COVID-19 information for health care providers

For more information, call Health811 by calling 8-1-1.