Novavax COVID-19 vaccine available at Metro Toronto Convention Centre vaccination clinic starting April 21

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

Toronto Public Health (TPH) will begin administering Novavax vaccines to residents 18 years and older at Metro Toronto Convention Centre vaccination clinic on Thursdays, beginning April 21. Residents can book their appointment at TPHbookings.ca if they would like to receive the Novavax vaccine. Residents can also get an appointment if their primary care provider sends a referral to TPH. TPH will contact individuals who are referred by their primary care provider, with their appointment details.

Individuals 18 years of age or older are able to receive the Novavax vaccine if they have an allergy or contraindication to receive an mRNA vaccine. Individuals can also get Novavax vaccine if they have decided not to receive an mRNA vaccine. Residents with allergies may discuss their situation with their primary care provider. TPH will connect directly with clients who have been referred by a physician or nurse practitioner about their appointment to get the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine.

The Novavax vaccine is a “protein subunit” vaccine. The vaccine uses small pieces of a protein to teach our immune system to make antibodies that recognize and fight COVID-19. This is similar to how many influenza vaccines work to protect health.

In February 2022, Health Canada approved the Novavax vaccine for people aged 18 years or older. While the National Advisory Committee on Immunization continues to strongly recommend the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for most people due to their excellent protection against COVID-19, the Novavax vaccine is a new option for those who have been unable (i.e. due to an allergy) or unwilling to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The Novavax vaccine has been proven to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 disease in the short term, and lowers the risk of serious consequences linked to COVID-19.

Two doses of the Novavax vaccine, administered eight weeks apart are required for COVID-19 protection. Similar to the mRNA vaccines, it takes two weeks after vaccination for residents to be fully protected from COVID-19. Novavax can be used for any of the first two doses or as a booster, even if the previous vaccine was different (for example, one dose of another COVID-19 vaccine and one dose of Novavax). More information about vaccines is available on the City’s COVID-19: About the Vaccines webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-about-the-vaccines/.

TPH encourages residents to get vaccinated with their first, second, third or fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, if they have not already done so. The vaccines have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and death, while protecting individuals and the wider community from getting sick. Vaccines are available across all five City of Toronto immunization clinics, more than 525 local pharmacies that are offering the COVID-19 vaccine, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, select primary care offices and other Team Toronto health care partner clinics. More information on how to book is available on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-to-get-vaccinated/.

Quote:

“We are pleased to begin offering residents the Novavax vaccine as a layer of protection against COVID-19.  Novavax has been proven to be safe and effective at protecting individuals from serious illness linked to COVID-19.”
– Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health

Source City of Toronto 

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