Yonge Davisville Health Clinic
Yonge Davisville Health Clinic

 COVID-19 AND VACCINE INFORMATION PAGE

 On this page, you’ll find information on

Note: We do not carry the Covid-19 vaccines in our office

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION PAGE

Vaccines currently approved by Health Canada:

mRNA vaccines:

  • Comirnaty (Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine)

    • The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine currently approved for ages 6 months and up

    • It is the recommended vaccine (over Moderna) for those under 24, due to the slight increased cases of pericarditis/myocarditis observed following the Moderna vaccine

  • SpikeVax (Moderna mRNA vaccine)

    • The Moderna vaccine currently approved for ages 6 months and up

    • Currently the Moderna bi-valent vaccine is the only bi-valent approved in Canada (as of October, 2022)

  • Both are highly effective and safe

Viral vector Vaccines

  • Vaxzevria (Astra-Zeneca vaccine)

    • As of May 11, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is not being administered in Ontario for patients receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine due to a rare but serious potential side effect referred to as  Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT). The change in this guideline is primarily due to the recent increased availability of mRNA based vaccines in Ontario, which do not carry any risk for VITT. 

  • Others: The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Novavax Nuvaxovid, or Medicago Covifenz vaccines are only available in Ontario by contacting your local public health unit, and are typically reserved for specific eligible populations. Please contact the local public health unit (e.g. Toronto Public Health) if you feel that these vaccines are more appropriate for you.

Covid Vaccine for Children

In November 2021, Ontario started to offer pediatric doses of the mRNA Covid vaccine, and at this point we have vaccines for those aged 6 months and up:

  • Age 6 months to 5: Primary series only (Moderna pediatric series: 2 doses given 8 weeks apart, or Pfizer pediatric series: 3 doses given with 8 weeks between each dose)

  • Ages 5 to 17: Primary series, followed by a booster dose if >6 months (168 days) after completing the primary series.

Below are some facts about the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, based on recent studies of the vaccine in children:

  • The vaccine protects children from COVID-19: the vaccine was 90.7% effective.

  • No serious side effects were seen. The most common side effects were those that often happen with other vaccines: pain where the needle was injected, tiredness, headache, muscle pain and chills.

  • The dosing for the pediatric population is dependent on their age group, and is less than the adult dose.

  • The creation of this vaccine followed all required steps for the development of any vaccine

There are many resources about the safety of Covid vaccine, and we encourage caregivers (and our little patients!) with questions to explore the following excellent websites for more information:

Covid Vaccines and Pregnancy

Pregnant individuals are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at any point in their pregnancy. Many people who are pregnant have gotten very sick from COVID-19 requiring hospitalization and critical care. Getting vaccinated is safe and an important way to be protected in pregnancy.

Many pregnant people who get COVID-19 can have mild symptoms. However, especially with the new variants spreading in Ontario, some can get very sick and develop respiratory complications that need care in the hospital. Giving birth too early in pregnancy (preterm birth) may be more common. Vaccines can protect against these variants and lower the risk of severe illness while pregnant. All COVID-19 vaccines are safe in pregnancy and are being used around the world.

CLICK HERE for a video message from Ontario’s Obstetricians explaining why it is critical for pregnant patients to get the COVID19 Vaccine (available in multiple languages). 

Questions & Answers about the COVID-19 Vaccines and Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding from expert Obstetricians at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Booking Covid Vaccines

In Ontario, the COVID-19 Vaccine is available at Mass Vaccination Clinics, Pop-up Mobile Clinics, and local pharmacies. You may access Covid vaccines at a pharmacy near you, or book online via Provincial booking portal or City of Toronto.

Current eligibility criteria:

  • Ages 6 months to 5: can be booked for their primary series

  • Ages 5 to 17: can be booked for the primary series, and booster if >6 months after completing the primary series

  • Ages 18+: Primary series, booster dose(s) if >3 months since their last dose (both original, or bivalent booster doses are available)

  • Immunocompromised population:

    • Primary series for this population: 3 doses, rather than 2 doses

    • Ages 5-11: should receive the original Covid vaccine as a booster, if >3 months since their last dose

    • Ages 12+: should receive the bivalent booster, if >3 months since their last dose

Need assistance getting to your vaccine appointment? 

Toronto Ride, iRide and Scarborough Ride provide assisted transportation to eligible Toronto seniors, adults with disabilities and adults who are immune-compromised, to and from vaccination appointments within the city of Toronto.  


To book a ride contact:

Covid-19 Information

Stay safe during the pandemic:

  • Practice social distancing

  • Wear a mask in situations where distance cannot be maintained.

  • Wash your hands regularly

  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve

  • Do not share food, drinks, toothbrushes, etc.

If you have been exposed to Covid-19, or have symptoms that may suggest Covid-19:

  • Proceed to one of the COVID Assessment Centres in order to receive a Covid test. Please note that the rapid antigen tests readily available at many pharmacies are not the most sensitive test to use when you have symptoms, so we do recommend booking for a PCR test in this case.

If you have severe symptoms (such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain):

  • Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit

  • If you are in need of IMMEDIATE medical attention, call 911 or go to your local emergency room  

Recent travel:

  • Even if you do not have symptoms, you may still be at risk of being a carrier and passing it on to others

  • Canada has established new rules for Returning Travelers, especially given the new Omicron strain that been shown to be highly contagious. Please review all appropriate pre- and post-departure guidelines to ensure that you are travelling safely.

  • Please let our clinic know if you’ve travelled out of country in the past 14 days, when booking an appointment.