Overview
Disclaimer: the resources and recommendations included in this page are according to the public guidelines for Ontario citizens.
Those with COVID-19 may have little or no symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to other illnesses. Symptoms of COVID-19 can take up to 14 days to appear after exposure and severity of symptoms widely vary between people from very mild to more serious.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate self-isolation and, if eligible, COVID-19 testing include:
- Fever (temperature of 37.8°C/100.0°F or greater) and/or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Decrease or loss of smell or taste
Two or more of the following symptoms of COVID-19 require immediate self-isolation and, if eligible, COVID-19 testing include:
- Extreme fatigue, lethargy, or malaise (general feeling of being unwell, lack of energy,
extreme tiredness) that is unusual or unexplained - Muscle aches or joint pain that are unexplained, unusual, or long-lasting
- Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Sore throat (painful swallowing or difficulty swallowing)
- Rhinorrhea or nasal congestion (runny nose or stuffy nose)
- Headache that is new and persistent, unusual, unexplained, or long-lasting
Other symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19 and should be monitored, include:
- Abdominal pain that is persistent or ongoing
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Decreased or lack of appetite
For more details about symptoms of COVID19 visit the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, take the self-assessment from the Ontario government (or your local health authority) to get recommendations on actions to take: Ontario COVID-19 Self-Assessment
Coronaviruses are most commonly spread through:
- respiratory droplets when coughing or sneezing
- close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- touching a surface with the virus on it, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands
When should you isolate?
- You have symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild
- You have been exposed to a diagnosed or probable case of COVID-19
- You or someone you have been in contact with has been outside of the country in the past 14 days
- You have been diagnosed with COVID-19
Access the Ontario’s guidelines for self-isolation here.
Getting tested
For the most updated information regarding PCR testing, Rapid Antigen testing, COVID19 symptoms, and Isolation requirements; visit Updated Eligibility for PCR Testing and Case and Contact Management Guidance in Ontario
To access information on how to get tested in Ontario, visit the Ontario COVID-19 testing website.
If you have been tested, you can visit Ontario’s COVID-19 results page if you are looking for information on how your test results will be returned to you.
Vaccines
How do I book a vaccine appointment in Hamilton if I am eligible?
Many eligible Hamilton residents can book their appointments online.
Requirements to book online
- A green Ontario photo health card (OHIP) even if it is expired
- An email address
- A modern web browser (booking site is incompatible with Internet Explorer 11 or earlier versions)
An individual can book over the phone if they
- Do not have access to internet or a computer
- Have a red and white health card
- Do not have an Ontario health card
- Are Indigenous
Please note: The vaccine is free. You will never be required to share your social insurance number or credit card number over the phone.
Booking Information
Click here for information on Hamilton vaccine procedures and frequently asked questions.
Book online here: Ontario Vaccine Booking Site (English)
Book over the phone: Call the Provincial Vaccine Information Line at 1-888-999-6488. If you don’t have a health card, call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7.
How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
There are unique spike proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which allows the virus to invade your cells. However, the spike proteins are completely harmless without the virus. All the vaccines currently approved in Canada use different mechanisms to help your cells produce these harmless spike proteins, learn to identify and fight them, and build your immunity to COVID-19.
First are mRNA vaccines. These include the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
Messenger Ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is a molecule that provides your cell with instructions for making proteins. mRNA vaccines contain instructions which activate production of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
Second are viral vector vaccines. These include the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines.
A viral vector is a harmless, weakened virus (not from SARS-CoV-2, but from another type of virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms when it isn’t weakened). This modified vector delivers instructions to our cells and causes them to produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
For both mRNA and viral vector vaccines, once your cells produce these spike proteins, they activate your immune system to create antibodies. After the final shot of any COVID-19 vaccine, it takes approximately 2 weeks for your body to gain the maximum level of immunity. If you are later infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, your immune system will immediately recognize these spike proteins and launch a targeted and effective response, so you’ll be far less likely to get sick. The ingredients of these vaccines are broken down by the body after they’re done strengthening your immune response to COVID-19.
How do the vaccines protect us?
Individuals
COVID-19 vaccines help train your immune system to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. When your immune system recognizes the infection, it can mount a targeted and effective response. This response may help prevent you from getting sick if the virus ever enters your body. A small percentage of people may end up catching COVID-19 even if they are fully vaccinated, but their risk of being hospitalized or dying from the infection is much lower than unvaccinated people who catch COVID-19.
Community
Once enough people are vaccinated from COVID-19 we will reach “herd immunity” or “community immunity”. This level of vaccination can protect entire communities from sickness. This is important because it protects those who are unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons from illness and prevents outbreaks. When there aren’t enough people to infect, the virus may eventually be eradicated from communities entirely.
References
Government of Canada: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
Government of Canada: Viral vector-based vaccines for COVID-19
Government of Canada: Authorized vaccines for COVID-19
Vaccine FAQ
It can be overwhelming to navigate the large volume of COVID-19 vaccine information online, especially if you are unsure about the safety of the vaccine. If you or those around you are hesitant to get vaccinated, it can help to have accurate information in a centralized place.
On this page, you can find answers to many common vaccine-related concerns. These concerns are understandable, especially for vulnerable populations who have faced centuries of harm at the hands of western science. Ultimately, vaccination is one of the best steps you can take to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19 and related complications.
How to use this resource effectively
The information in the panels below can help you answer questions for folks who are hesitant to get vaccinated. In those situations, try your best to understand their specific concerns and address only those concerns based on the information available here. Providing them with all the reasons why someone may be concerned can increase vaccine hesitancy, so it is best to focus on their specific questions.
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 is a concern on individual, community, and systems levels. Each of us must take individual measures to protect our own health and well-being. However, the pandemic will not be over until our local and global communities do their part with more systemic efforts.
We enter lockdowns not only when case numbers rise, but also when hospital ICUs are at capacity. Our healthcare system doesn’t have the resources needed to handle the influx of COVID cases in addition to other healthcare emergencies. Ontario is on the brink of enacting a triage protocol, where doctors will be forced to prioritize the people who are less likely to die. Getting your COVID-19 vaccine helps relieve pressure on hospitals.
In Canada, the four available vaccines are by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), and AstraZeneca. All the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at reducing the risk of serious symptoms and preventing hospitalizations. Thus, all the COVID-19 vaccines will help us get out of this pandemic.
If you would like to learn about how the COVID-19 vaccines work, visit our vaccines information tab.
References: Building vaccine confidence, Vaccine definition, Virus definition, Definitions: Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, World Health Organization: Origins of SARS-CoV-2
Expandable List
Were the COVID-19 vaccines developed too quickly to be safe?
The COVID-19 vaccines were developed faster than previous vaccines, but this does not mean that their safety was compromised.
It takes more time to develop other vaccines because insufficient funding often delays vaccine production. However, many countries immediately invested in research for the COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine manufacturing facilities were built well in advance, which sped up the development process.
Additionally, vaccine trials were conducted more quickly by running phases simultaneously, thanks to increased funding. These trials used the same number of participants, data, and safety tests as for any vaccine approved in Canada, but they took less time.
The ethics and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine trials were ensured by independent reviewers, so we can feel confident in their results.
References: Immunize BC, Nebraska Medical
Are some of the COVID-19 vaccines more effective? Should I try to get a better one?
You should get whichever COVID-19 vaccine is available to you. All the COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing most symptomatic infection and nearly all hospitalization or death.
Additionally, since vaccine trials never directly compared different COVID-19 vaccines to each other, it is difficult to say that one vaccine is more effective than another. All the vaccines can protect you. You should get whichever vaccine is available to you.
References: Immunize BC FAQ, Immunize BC vaccine effectiveness
I’ve heard that mRNA is new technology. How can I trust that it’s safe?
It is true that the mRNA vaccines have never been on the market previously, but this does not mean that they are less safe than other vaccines. mRNA vaccines have been studied in humans for other diseases such as rabies. In those human trials, mRNA vaccines were found to be safe, but they were not used because other vaccines worked better for those specific diseases. For COVID-19, mRNA vaccines are safe and effective.
mRNA vaccines have met the same effectiveness and safety standards as any other available vaccines.
References: CDC: mRNA vaccines, European commission
Will the COVID-19 vaccines alter my DNA?
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines can alter your DNA.
Viral vector vaccines use adenoviruses to deliver viral DNA to the nucleus of your cell, but they cannot alter your DNA. These vaccines also cannot replicate, which increases their safety.
The mRNA from the mRNA vaccines does not enter the nucleus of the cell where the DNA is stored. The mRNA is degraded by your body after it boosts your immune system. These vaccines also cannot alter your DNA.
References: Viral Vector Vaccines, mRNA Vaccines
Do the COVID-19 vaccines make you sick with COVID-19 or other illnesses?
The vaccine does not make you sick with COVID-19. The side effects of vaccination are normal signs that the vaccine is building your immunity against the disease.
You can use various methods to manage side effects. For example, you can take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen.
If the side effects last longer than a few days or they are severe, please contact a healthcare provider for guidance. If you have an allergic reaction, please call 911 for immediate medical care.
References: McGill University vaccines information, CDC vaccines, CDC vaccine side effects
I’ve heard that the AstraZeneca vaccine blood clots. Is this true?
A small number of AstraZeneca vaccine recipients have had blood clots. However, this is extremely rare.
It is important to weigh the small risk of blood clotting against the benefits of getting the AstraZeneca vaccine. You are also more likely to get a blood clot with COVID-19 than with the vaccine. When you get vaccinated, you are less likely to get COVID-19. Further, you are protected from other risks of COVID-19 too, such as lung damage and death. There is a small chance of having a blood clot, but Canadian doctors can help treat that.
References: Vaccine induced blood clots, Hamilton Health Sciences, Global News, CTV News
I’ve heard that people can experience long-lasting side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. Is this true?
Side effects should disappear after a few days. To manage side effects, you can consider methods such as taking over-the-counter ibuprofen or applying a clean wet washcloth to the injection site.
If the side effects last longer than a few days or they are severe, please contact a healthcare provider for guidance. If you have an allergic reaction, please call 911 for immediate medical care.
References: McGill, CDC side effects, CDC and FDA on J&J vaccine
I’ve heard that COVID-19 vaccines contain toxins like mercury and aluminum. Is this true and, if so, should I be worried?
No, this is not true. The COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada contain neither mercury nor aluminum.
It is also important to know that the use of mercury or aluminum in other vaccines is not necessarily harmful. In other vaccines (not for COVID-19), mercury is present in a non-toxic form. It prevents bacterial contamination of those vaccines. In other vaccines (not for COVID-19), aluminum is used in safe amounts. It improves the effectiveness of those vaccines.
References: York Region, FDA vaccine fact sheet, Pfizer and Moderna, Immunize.org, FDA vaccine preservatives, Oregon live, CDC vaccines
I’m not at high risk but I’m eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, should I wait to get it so others who need it more can get it before me?
No, you should not delay getting vaccinated if you are eligible. If you are infected, you could still suffer from COVID-19 related complications.
In Canada, vaccine rollout is designed to target vulnerable communities and hotspot regions, so there is a reason why you are being prioritized for vaccination. Getting vaccinated can help slow the spread of infection, protect those who can’t be vaccinated, and take pressure off hospitals.
Delaying your vaccination won’t help vaccines reach vulnerable individuals. If you are eligible and there are appointments available, you should not hesitate to book your vaccination.
References: Risk to Young Adults, US concerns in January, CTV News
Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?
Yes, you should be vaccinated even if you’ve already had COVID-19, because there have been cases of COVID-19 reinfection. If this happens, you can still pass the virus to others.
To get the vaccine, wait until your isolation period is over. If you visit a vaccine clinic before this period is over, you might expose others to the coronavirus.
If you have already had COVID-19, talk to your doctor to determine the right time for getting vaccinated.
References: Hamilton vaccine FAQ, Immunize BC FAQ
Is COVID-19 a serious threat to young adults?
Yes, COVID-19 can harm young adults. Although young adults are less likely to die from COVID-19, they can develop severe symptoms. Young people with obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure are especially susceptible.
If young adults with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, they might unknowingly pass the virus to other people. This can be harmful if those people are at high risk for severe disease or death.
References: Hopkins medicine
I am an international student without an OHIP card. Can I get a vaccine in Ontario?
Note: The phone number listed is only for those who are already eligible and living in Hamilton.
Yes, international students can get the vaccine in Ontario if they are eligible! To find out if you are eligible, enter in your location and criteria into the Ontario booking website.
However, you may not be able to book your vaccination appointment online. To book your vaccine in Hamilton once you’re eligible, you can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848 and dial option 7.
I am Black or Indigenous, and I don’t trust the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. How can I trust that the vaccine is for me?
Structural inequalities have led Black and Indigenous people to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Thus, these communities are now being prioritized for vaccination.
Distrust in COVID-19 vaccine is understandable, especially in Black and Indigenous communities. There is a history of harm caused by Western healthcare providers and systems.
It might help to read the stories of Black and Indigenous people who have received the vaccine. You can find some stories below.
If you are Black or Indigenous, you can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 hotline at 905-974-9848. Dial option 7 to book your vaccine.
If you are a Six Nations Band member, you can also book your vaccine at www.sixnationscovid19.ca.
If you are not comfortable getting vaccinated at the clinic closest to you, you can visit a pop-up vaccine clinic created by and for Indigenous peoples.
Click here to find out more about Hamilton’s Mobile Indigenous Clinic (Operating May 8 and May 9)
Article: More than medical mistrust
Article: I’m a Black doctor who didn’t trust the COVID Vaccine. Here’s what changed my mind.
Article: A Nursing Researcher’s Experience in a COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain animal products?
No. Animal products are sometimes to improve the vaccine’s efficacy or to stabilize the vaccine during storage. However, none of these substances have been used in any of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in Canada. Thus, there are no animal products in the vaccines by Moderna, Pfizer, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca.
References: CAMH, Hamilton FAQ, Gov.UK
Do the COVID-19 vaccines contain fetal material?
Note: None of these fetal cell lines are from recent abortions nor are they supporting abortion clinics today. Several religious organizations have released statements regarding the use of fetal cells for vaccine production and recognition of the importance of vaccines in saving human lives today. Please consult your religious leaders if this is something you are concerned about. If you see something online suggesting that there are fetal tissues or fetal cells in the vaccines themselves, know that this is misinformation.
No, none of the COVID-19 vaccines contain any aborted fetal cells or tissue.
However, fetal cell lines were used in the production and confirmation of some vaccines. Fetal cell lines are replicated indefinitely from fetal tissue for science, but they are not the original aborted fetal cells or tissue.
Viral vector vaccines are produced using fetal cell lines. After the vaccine is formed, the vaccine is removed from the cells. None of the fetal cells are in the vaccine. After the vaccines are produced, viral vector vaccines and mRNA vaccines use fetal cell lines to confirm the vaccines activate the immune response correctly.
The fetal cell lines used in COVID-19 vaccines are replications of tissue from elective abortions that happened 30 to 60 years ago. These cell lines were chosen because they are safe and reliable for vaccine development.
References: Hamilton FAQ, Nebraska Med, Kare News, Vatican, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
The risk of COVID-19 in Canada doesn’t seem as bad as other countries, do I really need to get vaccinated?
Canada’s healthcare system is under a lot of pressure. Hospitals are filled with COVID-19 patients, so we are running out of resources to help people who suffer various emergencies. In Ontario, healthcare workers might be forced to start triaging care. Thus, people with a lower chance of survival will be denied proper care.
By getting vaccinated, you can help lessen the pressure on hospitals. Vaccines protect us from COVID-19 and prevent hospitalization and they can help us overcome the pandemic.
References: CBC news: cases in Canada, CTV news: cases in Canada, CTV news: need for doctors, CTV news: Ontario triage protocol, Global news: Ontario triage protocol
What do anti-vaccination groups believe and advocate for?
“Anti-vaxxer” refers to people who actively oppose public provision of vaccines. Anti-vaxxers are not the same as people who are skeptical of certain vaccines.
The anti-vaccination movement resurfaced when Andrew Wakefield, a doctor, published a study claiming that there was a causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism. His research had used flawed methods, and his claims were shown to be false. The study was discredited, and Wakefield had his medical license revoked.
False claims and unethical studies spread quickly online and in media. It is important to get your vaccine information from reliable sources.
References: Cureus: The Anti- vaccination Movement
Reducing Spread
It is important to put in your best effort to stay safe from COVID-19. Getting sick would interrupt your schedule and potentially put the health of yourself and others at risk. Do your part to reduce spread in the methods that are possible for you.
What is physical (social) distancing?
Physical distancing involves changing your daily routine to minimize contact with others that may facilitate transmission of COVID-19. These changes may include:
- Limiting activities outside the home when possible
- Avoiding crowded gatherings
- Avoiding touch with those outside your social circle, including handshakes
- Keeping a 2 metre distance when possible
- Limiting contact with those of higher risk such as older adults or those with other illnesses
Masks
Using non-medical masks or reusing face coverings will not stop you from getting COVID-19, but they may help protect others if you are sick.
You may not be aware that you are sick. Some people found to be spreading COVID-19 are pre-symptomatic, meaning they have become sick and are contagious but do not yet display symptoms. Some people are also found to be asymptomatic, meaning they never display obvious symptoms.
Note: not all masks are equally effective at preventing spread
- Cloth masks – these masks should be made of at least 2 layers of tightly woven material and should fit snuggly without gapping
- Vented masks or those with exhalation valves – these masks should be avoided because they do not prevent the mask wearer from spreading COVID-19 to others
- Face-shields – these are not a substitute for mask wearing unless other health issues dictate a mask is not required for an individual
- Medical-grade (N95) masks – these masks should be reserved for healthcare professionals
When to wear a mask
- Anytime you enter an enclosed public space, like on campus.
- When you are interacting with someone in a situation where you come within the 2-metre physical distancing measure.
- Anytime you interact with someone if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Ideally you will be isolated during this time and have minimal contact with others.
- If you are in contact with someone with symptoms or who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Take care to use your mask properly to avoid contamination.
For information on how to wear a mask properly, you can access the Ontario guidelines here.
Sanitizing your hands
Watch this video to learn how to wash your hands properly.
If you don’t have access to soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Watch this video to learn how to properly use hand sanitizer.
When to clean your hands
- After touching high-contact surfaces (ex. Handles, doorknobs, railings, etc.)
- After contact with an infected person
- As often as possible when in public
- Before eating or touching your face
Caring for someone with COVID-19
Living and caring for someone with COVID-19 is a very complicated and difficult process. To read about the recommendations from Ontario, click here.