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COVID-19 Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for information on Horizon's COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

COVID-19 vaccinations

Learn more about getting vaccinated with the Frequently Asked Questions below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

GETTING YOUR VACCINE

GENERAL

Q: How does the COVID-19 vaccine work to protect us?

 A:  COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. mRNA vaccines provide instructions to your cells for how to make a coronavirus protein. Viral vector vaccines use a virus that's been made harmless to produce coronavirus proteins in your body without causing disease. Both will trigger an immune response that will help to protect you against COVID-19.

 It typically takes 2 weeks after vaccination (second dose) for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to build protection. So it is important to continue to  protect yourself and others from COVID-19 even once immunized. For more information about vaccination to achieve community immunity, visit Health Canada.

Q: Can you still contract and spread the virus once immunized?

A:  Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of infectious diseases. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting COVID-19, especially severe illness and death. COVID-19 vaccines also reduce the risk of people spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.

According to the CDC, infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.

People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated and may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19 disease. You should talk to your healthcare provider.

Q: Does the COVID-19 Vaccine work to protect against the Omicron variant?

A: According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, information is still being gathered on how well vaccines work against transmission and severe disease that may result from Omicron compared to the other variants. However, we do know that the COVID-19 vaccine does reduce the impact of the virus if contracted, protecting you from severe illness requiring hospitalization.

Q: How safe is the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: Vaccines are safe. Health Canada authorizes vaccines only after an independent and thorough scientific review for safety, effectiveness and quality.

The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19 because they don't contain the virus that causes it, and they cannot change your DNA.

For more information, including a list of authorized vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, visit Health Canada online.

Additional Health Canada resources:

Q: Where can I find reliable information?

A:  There is misinformation and speculation surfacing online, which is a common reaction in situations like this. Please rely on only credible sources for information from:

Misinformation can create unnecessary panic for both our patients and staff, which ties up our resources. Please help us share reliable information from these sites.

For updates on health care services in your area, sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Q: What is a COVID-19 "booster" and why is it needed?

A:  Similar to other vaccines, the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine against COVID-19 decreases with time, therefore, an additional "booster" dose may be needed.

Note: For immunocompromised individuals in New Brunswick, a primary series is now considered 3 doses to ensure a more durable protection against COVID-19. To learn more about 3rd doses and "boosters" please visit COVID-19 Vaccines (on the GNB website)

GETTING YOUR VACCINE

Q: Who is eligible?

A:  New Brunswickers over the age of 5 are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For more information on who is eligible and when, click here.

Information for parents, caregivers or legal guardians: it is preferred that parents/legal guardians consent to immunizations for minors younger than 16.  For more information on consent for COVID-19 vaccination can be found here.

Q: How old do I need to be to consent to COVID-19 vaccination without parental consent?

A: Under New Brunswick's Medical Consent for Minors Act, a minor under the age of 16 is capable of giving consent to be immunized if an attending legally qualified medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or nurse determines that the minor:

  • understands the nature and the consequences of a medical treatment; and
  • the medical treatment and the procedure to be used is in the best interests of the minor and the minor's continuing health and well-being.

For more information, read Mature Minor Consent for COVID-19 Immunization or visit the Government of New Brunswick's COVID-19 Vaccines website.

Q: Do children aged five to 11 receive the same dose of COVID-19 vaccination as adults?

A:  The pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine (which is given to children aged five to 11 in New Brunswick) is approximately one-third of the amount given to adults and teens, and the two doses are spaced eight weeks apart. The lower dose in children aged five to 11 has been thoroughly tested and is not only safe, but just as effective at fighting off COVID-19 as the regular-dose of the vaccine in teenagers and adults.

Q: How do I find a COVID-19 vaccination clinic near me?

A:  Click here for information on Horizon's COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

Vaccination  appointments can be scheduled online by  clicking here.  Walk-ins may be available at some vaccination clinics on a first come, first serve basis.

Q: What can I expect at the clinic?

A: To get an idea of what going to a Horizon vaccination clinic, check this video out. Be ready for your appointment by bringing your Medicare card, wearing a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that can easily be rolled up, bringing a mask with you, and arriving on time. You can expect to stay at least 15 minutes after your vaccine.

If this is your second dose, bring your Record of Immunization (If you have lost your Record of Immunization, see details  here).

Follow signage and instruction to complete the registration process, get your vaccine, and wait in the observation area.

Please be patient, even with appointments the clinic could be running behind schedule.

Q: What if I need special accommodations?

A:  We can accommodate individuals with special circumstances/needs, such as giving the vaccination in vehicles. If you have mobility issues, are unable to wear a mask, have young children with you, or feel overstimulated with big crowds, please let us know when you arrive for your vaccination.

Q: How do I cancel or reschedule my vaccination appointment? 

A: If you are no longer able to attend the appointment at a clinic organized by Horizon, you may cancel or reschedule the appointment.

  • If you have the Booking ID (found in the appointment confirmation email) and the date of birth of the person scheduled to receive the vaccine, you can cancel AND reschedule the appointment by  clicking here.
  • If you don't have the Booking IDor date of birth, you can cancel the appointment by filling out the  following form OR by calling 1-833-437-1424 to reach someone who will assist you in cancelling or rescheduling your appointment.

The earlier you can provide notification, the better. By cancelling your appointment as soon as possible, you may be helping someone else in your community get vaccinated sooner against COVID-19.

Q: What is the Record of COVID-19 Immunization?

A:  The paper Record of COVID-19 Immunization provided from vaccination clinics is and will continue to be your official record.

If you have lost your Record of COVID-19 Immunization and you require a replacement copy, provided you have an NB Medicare number, you may now view and print your Record of COVID-19 Immunization online through MyHealthNB.

Q: How long do I wait between my first and second dose?

A: New Brunswick now recommends that individuals get their second dose of vaccine eight weeks after receiving their first dose to ensure optimal protection however individuals are still able to receive their 2nd dose at 28 days.

Q. When am I eligible for a booster (third) dose?

A. All individuals 18 and older can book an appointment for a booster dose if at least 5 months has passed since their second dose.

Q. When am I eligible for a fourth dose?

A: We follow guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), and (as of Feb. 4, 2022), we haven't received guidance for the wide distribution of fourth doses.

Immunocompromised clients are eligible for a fourth dose, providing five months have passed since their third dose. In this population, the primary series is three doses; as opposed to two for the general population.

A self-attestation form is available online which also outlines definition/criteria of immunocompromised. Information is available here, including access to the form and eligibility requirements.

Q: Can I still get vaccinated if I answer "yes" to one or more of the screening questions? (For example: "yes, I was in contact with a positive case.")

A: In some cases, additional precautions can be taken to ensure you receive your vaccine (including: going to a separate zone within the clinic and health care workers donning extra personal protective equipment).

To see a list of Horizon's screening questions, please click on "COVID-19 Active Screening: Patient / Visitor Access to Facilities" on our Visitor Restrictions page. If you answer "yes" to any of the screening questions, contact 811 for instructions.

 

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