COVID-19 Information and Vaccines

On December 31, 2019, Chinese health authorities identified a new (or novel) coronavirus (referred to as COVID-19) through a series of reported cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that circulate both in humans and animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illness, similar to the “common cold” or more severe illnesses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

COVID-19 spreads through droplets or aerosols released when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes, sings or shouts. 

These infectious droplets or aerosols can easily spread to others when they are inhaled or reach the nose, mouth or eyes of people in poorly ventilated spaces or in close contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches another person (i.e. a handshake) or a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. The virus can be spread to others from someone who is infected but is not showing symptoms (either because they haven’t yet developed symptoms or are asymptomatic). 

At Southwestern Public Health we encourage individuals, community organizations and workplaces to make decisions based on the risk of the individuals around them. 

Additional recommendations:

• Get all recommended booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination protection decreases over time. Two doses no longer fully protects you. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
• Frequently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and shared items.
• Put as much distance between yourself and others where possible (called physical or social distancing).

Wearing a mask has two benefits:

1. It protects others around you from any germs you might have by containing your respiratory particles.
2. It protects you from the germs from others around you by preventing or reducing the amount of respiratory particles you inhale (especially if it’s a high quality mask that is well-fitted).

Did you test positive on a Rapid Test? First, it is important to stay home when you are sick to protect the people around you. Please stay home until you no longer have a fever, and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours - or 48 hours if you have gastrointestinal symptoms. 

To learn more about the variants of concern, visit the World Health Organization.

Follow our checklist:

• Wear a face covering at all times
• Wear short sleeves
• Bring health card and ID

If you are nervous about getting a Covid-19 vaccine or are afraid of needles, the CARD (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract) system may be able to help. Our team of professionals at the Immunization Clinics will do everything they can to help you have a comfortable experience.

Here is what you can expect on the day of your vaccination, along with a few important things to remember:

• Plan to spend about 30 minutes at the clinic
• Parking is free
• Please, do not attend if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating
• You will be asked to follow all public health guidelines including masking, hand hygiene, and physical distancing
• If you do not have a face covering, a mask will be provided upon entry
• After you receive your vaccination, you will be asked to wait for a 5 to 15 minute recovery period before exiting the clinic
• Washrooms are available on site

Please bring a support person with you when you come for your vaccination if you require assistance related to any mobility, visual, hearing or cognitive concern. 

Like other vaccines or medications, the COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects. Not everyone will experience these and most are minor or not long-lasting. Examples include:

• Pain at injection site, redness, or swelling
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Muscle pain, or joint pain
• Chills, or fever

Serious side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine are rare. If you experience a serious side effect after being vaccinated, seek medical attention right away.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has created a great list of resources for women considering Covid--19 vaccine who are trying to conceive, pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Other organizations have also released information that might interest you:

• Health Canada
• Dalhousie University
• Canadian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
• EN: Ontario.ca/covidvaccinepregnancy FR: Ontario.ca/vaccincovidgrossesse

Although children and youth have been less likely to get seriously ill from a Covid-19 infection, they can still get sick from a COVID-19 infection, spread it to others, be infected without symptoms, and experience longer-term effects of an infection. Children and youth with some underlying medical conditions may also have a higher risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection.

Children often look to trusted adults for cues that may help build confidence or reaffirm fears. Provide clear, calm language to children to reduce fears and anxiety. 

For example, if your child is afraid of the pain of a needle, avoid telling your child the needle won’t hurt. Instead, acknowledge that needles do hurt, even for adults, and that nurses have strategies to help make it hurt less.

Here are helpful resources to help children and youth feel confident about their decision to be vaccinated.

• Tips for speaking to children about Covid-19 vaccines from UNICEF.org
• Deciding to vaccinate, with guidance about general vaccination discussions with children, from Health Canada
• Frequently asked questions about Covid-19 vaccine for children and youth, endorsed by leading Ontario children’s hospitals.
• Pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions from the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Your child’s primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) is the best person for answering questions about your child’s health.