Vaccines

Conestoga has paused proof of vaccination requirements at all campus and site locations.

We continue to monitor conditions and consult with public health advisors. It may be necessary to bring back vaccine requirements on short notice to protect the health and well-being of our college community and create a safe environment for those who are most vulnerable.

Students are encouraged to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines to avoid disruptions to their educational experience should it be necessary to reinstate the policy. 

COVID-19 vaccines help build your immunity to the virus, making your body stronger to fight it off. This can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 if exposed and make your symptoms milder if infected.             

Immunization prevents the spread and reduces the impact of COVID-19. All Conestoga students and employees are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses when eligible.             

Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to protect yourself, loved ones and community against COVID-19.

Research has shown that receiving a COVID-19 booster will help protect against more severe outcomes from the virus and its variants. Protection after a primary vaccination series decreases over time, especially in the presence of variants of concern.             

A booster series is more effective at protecting individuals from getting COVID-19, preventing individuals from spreading COVID-19, and keeping individuals out of the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms.             

Visit the Government of Ontario to learn more. 

Up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations means an individual has received all recommended doses, including boosters, when eligible.             

Protection after a primary COVID-19 vaccination series decreases over time, especially in the presence of variants of concern. Experts recommend receiving a booster dose to provide strong and long-lasting protection against more severe outcomes from the virus and its variants.             

Visit the Government of Ontario for more information. 

All Ontarians are strongly encouraged to get a booster dose as soon as they are eligible to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.   

Booster doses can be taken at an interval of six months between completion of a primary series or between booster doses. 

Visit the Government of Ontario to learn more and schedule an appointment for your booster when you are eligible.  Appointments are also available to Conestoga students and employees at the college's Medical Care Clinic at the Kitchener – Doon campus. 

It is important to get a booster even after recovering from COVID-19, as you are not immune and can still get the virus and spread it to others in your community. Research has shown that receiving a booster dose provides strong and long-lasting protection against more severe outcomes from the virus and its variants.             

Visit the Government of Ontario to learn more.

Experts recommend waiting three months after recovering from COVID-19 to receive a booster dose to ensure strong and long-lasting protection against the virus and its variants. Optimal timing can be discussed with a health care provider.             

Visit the Government of Ontario for more information. 

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, are free to all those eligible in Ontario.              

If you do not have an Ontario health card, contact your local public health unit for more information. To find your local public health unit and contact number, visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine and select the "no Ontario health card" option from the drop-down menu under "Health Card Type."              

If you received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario, in order to receive a booster at the college's Medical Care Clinic, you must complete the Out-of-province COVID Immunization Form and wait for approval before making a vaccination appointment. Vaccination appointments at the Medical Care Clinic can only be made once public health issues a valid out-of-province QR certificate.              

You are still eligible to receive a booster dose at a public health clinic without an out-of-province QR certificate.              

Visit the Government of Ontario or contact the Medical Care Clinic for more information. 

International students who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Ontario (whether a Health Canada-approved vaccine or not) must complete an out-of-province COVID immunization form to ensure their status is registered with the provincial electronic immunization record system CoVAXon.              

This information is required by the Ontario Ministry of Health in order for individuals to receive future doses as well as to help better identify immunization rates. Each Public Health Unit is responsible for collecting information from its residents.              

Please register your out-of-province vaccination with your local Public Health Unit:              

• Region of Waterloo
• Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
• Brant County
• Huron Perth

If you are not a resident of one of the above Public Health Units or are unsure, find your local Public Health Unit through the provincial locator.              

In order to be considered fully vaccinated in Canada, individuals must have received              

• a full series of a Health Canada-approved vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, Janssen, Noravax, Medicago Convifenz) or combination of approved vaccines;
• one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for travel to and within Canada (Covaxin, Sinovac, Sinopharm) followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine approved by Health Canada; or
• three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for travel to and within Canada

Your final dose in a series must have been administered 14 days prior to providing proof in order to be considered fully vaccinated.              

Visit the Government of Ontario website to learn more.              

After independent and thorough scientific reviews of safety, efficacy and quality, Health Canada has approved the following vaccines:              

• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
  
• Noravax
  
• Medicago Covifenz
  

The Government of Canada has approved additional vaccines acceptable for travel to and within Canada:              

• Covaxin
  
• Sinovac
• Sinopharm

International students who have received one or two doses of an approved vaccine for travel to and within Canada should receive one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine approved by Health Canada in order to be considered fully vaccinated. 

COVID-19 vaccines are free and widely available in Ontario.             

Visit Ontario.ca/book-vaccine to schedule an appointment at a clinic or pharmacy.             

Vaccination appointments are also available at the Kitchener – Doon campus for Conestoga students and employees. Book an appointment through the Medical Care Clinic.             

Not in Ontario? Visit Canada.ca/covid-vaccine or your local government's website to learn where and when to get vaccinated.             

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested during their development and carefully reviewed by Health Canada experts. Only vaccines that are proven to be safe, effective and of high quality are authorized for use in Canada.              

Listen to an Ontario doctor talk about the resources and expertise behind ensuring COVID-19 vaccines in Canada are safe and effective.              

Like any medication, COVID-19 vaccines may cause mild side effects that can last a few hours or a couple of days.              

Common side effects may include:

• redness, soreness or swelling around the injection site,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• muscle and joint pain,
• chills, and/or
• mild fever.

Visit the Government of Canada website for reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada.