COVID-19 Vaccine

Our small, specialty clinic is open to the public for first and second doses. 

Anyone 12+ (born 2009) who received a first dose of mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) at least 4 weeks ago is eligible to book a second dose appointment here. Those who received a first dose of AstraZeneca at least 8 weeks ago are also eligible to book their second dose. You can also walk-in during regular hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

Please note, we are an mRNA vaccine clinic. People aged 12-17 will receive Pfizer and those 18+ will receive an mRNA vaccine (either Moderna or Pfizer) depending on supply on the day of their appointment.

Our clinic provides a small, lower-stimulation environment. Our staff are trained to adapt the clinic to better support people with mental illness, substance use disorders, dementia and other neurodiversity. For people who may experience difficulties in a larger clinic setting, we try to provide a calm, judgement-free space that is safe and accepting.

We also do our best to provide assistance and accommodations where needed. If you require additional assistance or accommodations - including bringing a support person - for your appointment, please share that information in the booking form. We will do our best to provide accommodations tailored to your needs. 

We also are able to offer some specific, targeted clinics to some populations based on need and our capacity to deliver. For instance, we recently ran a very successful clinic for adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities or autism in partnership with our Adult Neurodevelopmental Service and other partners. If you are a community organization that would benefit from a targeted clinic like this, please contact vaccinationclinic@camh.ca. We would love to hear from you. 

The CAMH vaccine clinic is open to walk-ins all the time: Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm.

All second doses have been or are actively in the process of getting automatically rebooked for those who received their first dose at CAMH. 

Please note you may receive a second doses of Pfizer or Moderna based on supply and age eligibility, following guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. According to NACI, both are excellent vaccines and can be used safely and interchangeably for most age groups. More information about second dose in Ontario. 

Further, a reminder that any CAMH patient (including outpatients, patients who visited the ED or Bridging Clinic) can walk-in for a first and second doses during regular hours (Tues to Thurs, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm).

If you require additional support, please contact our vaccination clinic at vaccinationclinic@camh.ca.

We accept walk-ins for any registered CAMH patient (including outpatients) Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm. If you would like to work with our clinic to book a specific appointment, please contact vaccinationclinic@camh.ca. 

Our clinic will be administering an mRNA vaccine (either Moderna or Pfizer) depending on supply and age eligibility. As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) both are excellent vaccines and can be used safely and interchangeably for most age groups. More information about second dose in Ontario.

If you require additional assistance or accommodations - including bringing a support person - for your appointment, please share that information in the booking form. We will do our best to provide accommodations tailored to your needs. 

No, you do not need to bring anything printed to the appointment. We have paper copies you can sign at the clinic and we will also go through a verbal consent process where we ask you the same questions.

We require that you wait 15 minutes after your vaccine to ensure that you are feeling well. Sometimes you will be asked to wait longer based on your medical history. We have chairs positioned 6 feet apart to ensure adequate physical distancing. There is large clock at the front of the room for you to keep track of time.

If you received a second dose with CAMH, you should have received a vaccine confirmation email from covaxon@ontario.ca with a PDF confirming your vaccination status.

If you did not receive this, you can directly access your vaccination status confirmation via https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/.

When you click on link above, you will need to fill out personal information including name, DOB, HCN (need a green OHIP card as you need the full number, version code and special 9 digit code on back) and postal code.  Once you submit you are taken to a page where you can print receipts for both your doses.

We want to make the experience of getting your vaccination as smoothly as possible. We have prepared a detailed summary outlining the clinic experience:

The CAMH Vaccine Clinic is located in in the Sandi and Jim Treliving Gymnasium which is on the corner of Stokes Street and Gordon Bell Road at the CAMH Queen Street campus. 

You may be asked to line up outside. CAMH staff in purple jackets may be nearby to help direct you and there is signage in English directing you to the Clinic. We ask that you please keep physical distance in the line-up and wear a mask.

Please have your health card or ID ready but you will still be admitted if you do not have either. 

Please note that starting Tuesday, May 18, rapid Hepatitis C screening will be offered on a voluntary basis to people coming to CAMH's vaccine clinic. This is a partnership with the UHN Toronto Centre for Liver Disease and VIRCAN (Viral Hepatitis Care Network). This screening includes a fast, free, confidential fingerstick blood test. Follow-up care and counselling, if necessary, will be provided directly by UHN. This is entirely voluntary and is not a requirement to receive your vaccine. 

Arrival

 At the entrance of the Vaccine Clinic you will meet a CAMH Greeter.  They will be wearing full personal protective equipment. Using an iPad, they will ask to confirm your appointment and verify which priority group you fall into. They will ask you for information to verify that group at this time if verification (e.g. proof of age or postal code or health care worker employment) is required.  

Screening

 You will enter the Vaccine Clinic and meet a CAMH Screener. Here you will be asked to perform hand hygiene by sanitizing your hands and you will be provided with a fresh surgical mask to wear. The CAMH Screener will ask you if:

• you are experiencing any flu like symptoms or symptoms of COVID-19
• have come in contact someone positive with COVID-19
• you have travelled outside of the country within the past 2 weeks 
• live or work in a setting  on outbreak with COVID-19

Registration

 You will be directed and meet a CAMH Registration staff. Here you will need your health card or form of ID. Accepted documentation includes but is not limited to: a driver’s license, passport, a piece of registered mail, pay stub, student card, government issued identification from other jurisdictions including: foreign passports, other provincial or territorial health cards, or drivers license. If you do not have some form of ID, please communicate this to the Registration Staff .  Individuals who are under documented or homeless may work with their community partners and local public health units to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is where your information will be confirmed and you will be checked-in for your appointment.

Vaccination

Once checked-in, you will be directed to a Vaccination Station where you will meet a healthcare provider. If you have brought a printed and signed consent form with you, the healthcare provider will review your signed consent forms and go through health assessment questions and review possible risks. If you have not brought a printed and signed consent form with you, the healthcare provider will verbally review the content and go through health assessment questions. Those questions include: 

• Have you been sick in the past few days? Do you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a fever today?
• Have you had a serious allergic reaction or a reaction within 4 hours to the COVID-19 vaccine before?
• Have you had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine or medicationgiven by an injection (e.g. IV, IM), needing medical care?
• Have you received a vaccine in the past 14 days?
• Are you or could you be pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you have a weakened immune system or are you taking any medications that can weaken your immune system (e.g., high dose steroids, chemotherapy)?
• Do you have an autoimmune condition?
• Do you have a bleeding disorder or are you taking blood thinning medications?
• Have you ever felt faint or fainted after receiving a vaccine or medical procedure?

The healthcare provider will be happy to answer any questions you have. The healthcare provider will administer the Covid-19 vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, you will be provided with a label indicating the time you are able to check-out, which is 15 minutes after you have been vaccinated.

Monitoring

Once you have received your vaccine and check-out time, you will be directed to the monitoring area where you will be monitored by a Registered Nurse or physician. You will be given an assigned seat and you will be asked to wait in the monitoring area for 15 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions. There is an analog clock in the gym that you can monitor. The monitoring staff will also be able to provide you with a time check if you require one. 

Check-out

Once you have been monitored for 15 minutes, you can check-out. The check-out desks are labeled with signs in English. During check-out you will be booked for your second appointment and receive an email or printed vaccine attestation.

There is a vaccination “selfie station” beside the check-out tables that you are welcome to use on your way to the exit. 

The entire process should take around 25 minutes.

Our clinic is respectful of those with medical anxiety or needlephobia. The clinic:

• Does not have visible medical equipment in the clinic or at the vaccination station
• Has equipment on a cart or tray that will be with the  vaccinator and has limited visibility on the floor
• Allows extra time between appointments for more questions and counselling if needed.

We have prepared some information in multiple languages that might help answer some of your questions. Please see below.