Information for people with developmental disabilities

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will the vaccine work for me?

All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe. The people who developed the vaccines didn’t take any short cuts.
The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.
Very few people are allergic to the vaccines.
Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. If you get the vaccine, your body will become stronger and will protect you better from COVID-19.
After you get your first dose of the vaccine, you will be given information about when your second dose will be.

Please bring your MCP card to your appointment. Please make sure it is not expired.
What should I wear to my vaccine appointment?
Wear a short sleeve shirt, or a top with sleeves that are easy to roll up.
If you are able to wear a mask, please wear one to your appointment.

Yes! You can bring a family member or caregiver with you.
Your family member or friend will have to come back to get their vaccine when it is their turn.

Make sure you are feeling well. If you aren’t feeling well, rebook your vaccine appointment for another day.
Talk to your doctor if there is anything new or worse about how you are feeling.
You can feel safe going to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, as they are all following COVID-19 safety rules.
Review COVID-19 Immunization Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

Most people will make their own decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Other people will need support from someone they trust.
Some people won’t be able to make the decision so someone will be appointed to make the decision for them.
If you need help making a decision, bring someone who can help you to your appointment.
If you have someone making the decision for you, please bring a signed consent form.

Right after you have the vaccine, you will be told to wait 15 minutes in the clinic to make sure you are feeling well before you can go home.
The vaccine is new to your body. Your arm might feel sore, and you might get a bit of a fever or feel very tired. This is normal.
If you are feeling sick after and you are worried, you can call the doctor or the nurse.
If you start having a very bad reaction to the vaccine, call 9-1-1- and get help from the doctor right away.
Until everyone gets their vaccine, you will need to keep being very careful about COVID-19. This means that you will need to keep wearing your mask, physical distancing, and washing your hands.
This is important to keep you and your family and friends safe until the pandemic is over!

Make sure I am feeling well on the day of my vaccine appointment
Talk to my doctor if I have any concerns
Wear a mask and a short sleeve shirt, or a top with sleeves that are easy to roll up
Talk to my family member or caregiver that is coming with me about planning for my appointment and how we will handle consent together
If someone is making the decision for me, make sure they fill out the consent form so that I can bring it to my appointment
Plan to bring the medical and mobility equipment I need with me, leaving anything I don’t need at home

April 23, 2021