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COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Free vaccines will be available to everyone who lives in Canada over the course of 2021.
Until extensive immunization is achieved, public health measures will continue to be essential to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in Canada and save lives.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Free vaccines will be available to everyone who lives in Canada over the course of 2021.

Variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging that may affect the level of protection provided by currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, manufacturers are adapting authorized COVID-19 vaccines to provide protection against infection and disease caused by virus variants.

This document provides guidance on developing the evidence and documentation needed to obtain an authorization and licensing for importing or selling a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada.

This document also discusses an approach to managing COVID-19 vaccines that are administered in a manner that differs from the recommendations of the manufacturer as authorized by Health Canada and/or the recommendations for use by National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). These are referred to as vaccine administration errors or deviations. This document provides guidance only. Note that provincial and territorial protocols may differ from this guidance document.

Vaccines are essential to help end the pandemic. It's important for everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when it's their turn. Vaccines help lower your child's risk of infection. They work with the body's natural defenses to develop protection against a disease.

Currently there are no therapies available for either the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Health Canada is closely tracking all potential therapeutic treatments and vaccines in development in Canada and abroad, including products that are being used off-label. The Department is working with vaccine developers, researchers, and manufacturers to help expedite the development and availability of medical products such as vaccines, antibodies, and drugs to prevent and treat COVID-19.

Pregnancy increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends you get a complete series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent serious illness, hospitalization and complications.

Free vaccines will be available to everyone in Canada over the course of 2021. How to get vaccinated near you.

How Health Canada is addressing clinical trials of drugs and vaccines, its expedited review process and the Special Access Program to find therapies to prevent or treat COVID-19.