COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
*This advice is current as of January 19, 2022. Content is subject to change as new information becomes available. Please check back regularly.
This page contains answers to common patient and provider questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.
It includes links to helpful information sheets, posters, and videos you can read and share with patients and colleagues.
Tools and scripts are also available to help identify and guide the vaccine discussion with hesitant or unvaccinated patients.
Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Should children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Helping a parent come to a decision around vaccinating their child for COVID-19 is a personal one based on their values and an understanding of the risks and benefits of vaccination versus the risks of their child contracting and spreading COVID-19. Vaccine hesitancy substantially improves after patients receive educational resources and information from a trusted physician. You know your patients and their story, and they trust you for healthcare advice more than anyone else. To help parents reach a decision and guide the discussion, we have provided the following resources for you and to share with parents:
Provider Resources:
Patient Resources:
Who is medically exempt from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
Generally speaking, there are very few acceptable medical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has provided guidance regarding contraindications for COVID-19 vaccines. Currently contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine include:
- Individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after previous administration of a COVID-19 vaccine using a similar platform (mRNA or viral vector).
- If a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual; and if informed consent is provided, an authorized COVID-19 vaccine using a different platform may be considered for re-immunization. If immunization with a different platform is offered, individuals should be observed for at least 30 minutes after immunization
- An authorized COVID-19 vaccine should not be routinely offered to individuals who are allergic to any component of the specific COVID-19 vaccine or its container.
- As a precautionary measure, the second dose in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series should be deferred in individuals who experience myocarditis or pericarditis following the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine until more information is available. NACI will continue to monitor the evidence and update recommendations as needed.
For those who had a severe allergic reaction to their first dose, or who are allergic to a component of the vaccine have the option of being referred to an allergist to determine next steps. If a referral to an allergist is indicated it will be facilitated thru AHS Public Health by contacting your local Medical Officer of Health.
To help your decision-making, CPSA has developed Guidance for physicians: requests for COVID-19 exemptions.
Provider resources
Patient Resources
Do I have to get the same vaccine for each dose?
This is not mandatory. Physicians can support patients in making an informed decision about what is right for them.
Provider resources
Patient resources
I’ve recovered from COVID-19, should I still get the vaccine?
Yes, you should still receive a completed vaccine series at the recommended intervals. There is no mandatory waiting period between having COVID-19 and being immunized; however, it is recommended that people wait until they are feeling better. While having had the disease offers some protection against future infection, there's not enough data about that level of protection to know when it tapers off or how protective it is against new variants.
Getting fully immunized (2 doses and booster) offers the best protection possible from the virus.
Should individuals who are immunosuppressed or have an autoimmune disorder get the vaccine?
The COVID-19 vaccine may be considered for individuals who are immunosuppressed or who have an autoimmune disorder if a risk assessment deems the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual. It is recommended, but not required, that these individuals discuss immunization with their health care provider prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Please consult the resources below for recommendations for specific patient groups.
Provider resources
Patient resources
What do we know about possible heart inflammation after COVID-19 vaccination?
Within 7 days after getting either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine, there have been very rare reports of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart). This inflammation can cause shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or a very fast or abnormal heart rate. Patients should seek medical help right away if they have any of these symptoms. Most cases have been mild and resolved quickly.
If a patient reaches out to their family physician about an adverse event, the physician must report it using the following process. Fill out the fields you can. AHS will manage any duplicate submissions.
The benefit of immunization still far outweighs the risks of COVID-19 vaccination, including in adolescents and young adults. The risk of cardiac complications, including myocarditis, has been shown to be substantially increased following COVID-19 infection, and it is higher following infection than after vaccination.
Provider resources
Patient resources
Reproductive Health & Breastfeeding
Do the vaccines cause infertility?
The vaccines do not impact male or female fertility.
The COVID-19 vaccine does not affect sperm production, but the COVID-19 disease can. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect male fertility.
The vaccine does not impact female fertility, damage the placenta or increase the risk of pre-term or stillbirth. The vaccine safely helps your body produce spike proteins to fight off the coronavirus. These are completely different than the spike proteins involved in the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy.
Provider resource
Patient resource
Should pregnant or breastfeeding individuals be offered the vaccine?
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommends that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be offered vaccination at any time if they are eligible and no contraindications exist.
There is no evidence that vaccines are harmful when pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact, everyone who is pregnant should get fully vaccinated as they have a higher risk of severe outcomes from variants. Between July 14 and October 21, 18 unvaccinated pregnant Albertans were admitted to ICU, up from 7 the entire first year of the pandemic. Of the 18 cases, 10 resulted in pre-term births as early as 29 weeks.
This decision is based on the woman’s personal values and an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Provider resources
Patient resources
How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines? Do they work against the new COVID-19 mutants/variants?
Clinic trials and real-world studies so far have shown that the approved vaccines are effective against the variants present in Canada.
The Canadian and provincial governments are monitoring cases of new COVID-19 variants in Canada.
Early data suggests that these variants may be more easily transmitted and may impact the severity of disease. There is some evidence to suggest that some variants of COVID-19 may have an impact on the efficacy of approved COVID-19 vaccines. To protect yourself and those around you, get fully immunized, and a booster if eligible, and follow current public health measures and restrictions.
Provider resources
Other Key Sources for Common Questions
If you have any questions, please email backthevax@albertadoctors.org.
Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, Centre for Effective Practice, and Medical Societies.
