COVID-19 vaccine information

• Anyone 6 months of age and older can receive an mRNA XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine.
• Anyone 12 years of age and older can receive the Novavax XBB.1.5 (non-mRNA) vaccine.
  • Important: If you are immunocompromised or pregnant, the XBB.1.5 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is recommended over the Novavax XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine. The Novavax vaccine has less data for these populations compared to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. However, Novavax XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine can be offered to individuals if requested.
  • If an individual has already received the recommended doses of an XBB.1.5 mRNA vaccine, they are not eligible for a Novavax XBB.1.5 vaccine.
• Currently, there are no authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Minors under the age of 18 require verbal or written consent from a parent or guardian to be vaccinated.
• Immunization is particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe outcomes, for example:
  • adults 65 years of age or older
  • adults 18 years of age and older who reside in seniors congregate care living settings
  • individuals with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19
  • individuals who are pregnant
  • individuals in or from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities
  • members of racialized and other equity-denied communities
  • people who provide essential community services and healthcare workers
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 2 and Table 3.

• Individuals with eligible immunocompromising conditions may need one or more doses of the XBB.1.5 vaccine.
  • Post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and/or CAR T-cell therapy recipients are recommended to consult with their physician regarding a 3-dose COVID-19 vaccine series.
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 1 and Table 3.
   

• Individuals at high risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 who previously received the XBB.1.5 vaccine as per the recommendations in Table 2 and Table 3, can receive one additional dose starting April 15, 2024.
• Eligible individuals include:
  • adults 65 years of age and older
  • adults 18 years of age and older who reside in seniors congregate care living settings
  • individuals 6 months of age and older with certain immunocompromising conditions
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals 6 months of age and older, no matter where they live
• Check the detailed recommendations for the additional doses in Table 1.

• For most, an appointment can be booked if it has been at least 3 months since the last non-XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine dose.
• For the additional dose of XBB.1.5 vaccine, an appointment can be booked if it has been at least 6 months since the last XBB.1.5 dose you were eligible for before April 15, 2024.
  • A shortened interval of at least 3 calendar months will be permitted for individuals residing in seniors congregate care living settings. A shortened interval is not permitted for the other eligible groups.
• It is recommended the COVID-19 vaccine be delayed for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 (by PCR or rapid antigen test). For more information, read “If you have had a COVID-19 infection” below.
• COVID-19 vaccines can be administered  at the same time, before or after influenza vaccine and other routine immunizations to individuals 6 months of age or older.
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and CAR T-cell therapy recipients are recommended to consult with their physician regarding COVID-19 vaccine spacing.
• Check when to book your appointment.

mRNA vaccine

• Albertans 5 years of age and older and their families are encouraged to book their appointment at a community pharmacy. Appointments for children under 5 years of age and their families are available through AHS clinics.
  • Book online (pharmacy or AHS clinic)
  • Find a community pharmacy
  • Call Health Link at 811
• Most pharmacies are accepting walk-in appointments for individuals 5 years of age and older. 

Novavax vaccine

• Anyone 12 years of age and older can call Health Link at 811 to book an immunization appointment at select AHS public health centres across Alberta.
  • Due to limited quantity, this vaccine will not be offered at community pharmacies.

• Alberta Health recommends anyone 6 months of age and older get immunized with an XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Albertans 12 years of age and older can receive the Novavax XBB.1.5 (non-mRNA) vaccine.
  • Alberta Health recommends mRNA vaccines for immunocompromised or pregnant individuals.
• You are encouraged to get immunized against COVID-19 with the vaccine that is available and to not delay immunization based on vaccine brand.
• COVID-19 vaccines are interchangeable and continually monitored. Post-market surveillance of safety and effectiveness is also conducted.

• It is recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine be delayed for those who have tested positive for COVID-19 (by PCR or rapid antigen test).
• Check the detailed recommendations in Table 4.
• For further information or questions, call Health Link (811) or ask your healthcare provider.

Approval process

• All vaccines approved in Canada undergo a rigorous review and approval process to ensure they are safe and effective.

Adverse effects

• Once a vaccine is in use, Alberta Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Health Canada all monitor Canadian and international adverse events following immunization. Health Canada also publishes information and counts of all COVID-19 adverse events following immunization.
• Overall, serious side effects from immunization are rare. 
• Very rare cases of inflammation of the heart muscle and lining surrounding the heart (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported across all age groups. It has been reported most frequently after a second dose of an mRNA vaccine but can occur after any dose and has also been reported with non-mRNA vaccines. This adverse effect is more common in adolescents and young adults, and occurs within the first 1-2 weeks following immunization, usually resolving rapidly with rest and medications. The cases are typically mild and are treatable. The risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis from COVID-19 infection is much higher than the risk following immunization with COVID-19 vaccine.

Severe allergies

• The vaccines do not contain egg, latex or preservatives.
• The only time someone should not get a COVID-19 vaccine is if they are severely allergic to specific ingredients in the vaccine. Speak to your doctor if you have questions about allergies.

All vaccines help our bodies learn how to protect us against future infection from the virus that causes COVID-19 infection, but different vaccines use different mechanisms to get the attention of the immune system.

The mRNA vaccines are proven highly effective in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 infection. They are available to individuals aged 6 months and older.

How it works

• These vaccines use mRNA technology to teach cells how to make a protein to trigger an immune response and make antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus. It does not alter your DNA.

• The Novavax XBB.1.5 vaccine is the only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available in Canada to individuals aged 12 years and older.

How it works

• Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine that uses purified COVID-19 spike proteins to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the COVID-19 virus.

After your vaccine, you may experience minor side effects like fever or aches that go away on their own after a few days. As with all medicines, there is a small chance that there will be a serious side effect (adverse events) like an allergic reaction, so it is important to stay at the place you get your vaccine for 15 minutes after being immunized. Some very rare reactions after COVID-19 vaccines include:

• mRNA vaccines: Rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and/or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) have been reported after receiving an mRNA vaccine.
• Additional precautions to protect yourself from the spread of respiratory viruses include:
  • Stay home when feeling sick
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, whenever possible
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Cover coughs and sneezes, followed by cleaning of hands
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items at home, especially when someone is sick
  • Wear a well-fitting mask in crowded indoor spaces to help reduce the risk of becoming sick and to help protect others from being exposed

• Most COVID-19 cases in children are mild, but some children can get very sick, have long-lasting symptoms (Long COVID), or complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
• The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends eligible children be immunized. While children have a lower risk of severe illness, vaccines offer the best protection from getting COVID-19.

If you have questions or concerns, contact your family doctor or call Health Link at 811 to speak with a health professional.

Helpful links

• AHS COVID-19 vaccine info
• AHS Commitment to Comfort - Overcoming needle fear
• Canadian Paediatric Society - COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
• Government of Canada - COVID-19 vaccines for children

Find accurate information

• Dr. Bruce Wright - Where to find accurate information on vaccines for children
• Dr. Ben Sivarajan - Where can we find accurate info on vaccines for children?
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Where vaccine misinformation begins

Effects of COVID-19 on kids

• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - Are kids at greater risk of getting COVID-19 now?
• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - What are the long term effects of COVID-19 on kids?

Reasons to get immunized

• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - Why should parents have their kids immunized?
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Why kids need the COVID-19 vaccine
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Risks of COVID-19 versus the vaccine
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Getting his own child vaccinated

Vaccine safety

• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - Is the vaccine safe for kids?
• Dr. Ben Sivarajan - Are vaccines safe for kids?
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Why COVID-19 vaccines are safe

Vaccine side effects

• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - What are the potential side effects?
• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - Why are we hearing more about COVID vaccine effects?
• Dr. Ben Sivarajan - Should I worry about vaccines and heart inflammation?

Helping kids who are afraid of needles

• Dr. Cora Constantinescu - How can parents support kids during immunization?
• Dr. Bruce Wright - Helping ease kids' fear of needles

Why should children get a COVID-19 vaccine?

• While many children experience mild symptoms, some can get very sick and experience complications or long-lasting symptoms. In rare cases, COVID-19 infection can cause death in children.
• Children can also spread the virus to others, even when they do not have symptoms.
• Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect your child.

Why is natural immunity not adequate protection?

• While having had COVID-19 infection offers some protection, it may not last very long.
• Getting the vaccine your child is eligible for offers the best protection.

What are the common side effects in children?

• The COVID-19 vaccines are well tolerated in children. Most side effects are mild and are a sign the immune system is responding to the vaccine.
• These side effects include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headaches, chills, joint and muscle pain, and fever.

What is the risk of heart problems after immunization?

• Reports of myocarditis and pericarditis (heart inflammation) after immunization are rare. The cases are typically mild and recover quickly.
• The risk of heart problems is much higher after COVID-19 infection than after immunization.
• Speak with your health-care provider or call Health Link at 811 if you have questions about immunizing your child.