Heart & Stroke encourages everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 once they have the opportunity.
The federal government has approved several vaccines for COVID-19, deeming them safe and effective; the benefits continue to far outweigh the risks.
If you have questions about the vaccines and an underlying condition (heart condition, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment) please speak with your healthcare providers.
Since the introduction of the vaccines, Heart & Stroke has worked to raise awareness around the importance of timely access for high risk and vulnerable populations:
- Working with partners, in November 2021 we requested all provincial and territorial health authorities to implement the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations released Sept. 10, 2021 regarding third doses of the COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised individuals in a uniform and consistent manner across the country. Read the letter to the provincial health ministers.
- In February 2021, along with 12 other health charities, we sent this letter to the federal Health Minister requesting that high risk and vulnerable populations, including people with certain chronic conditions who are at high-risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19, be prioritized for early access to COVID-19 vaccines. Similar letters were sent to various provincial governments.
- Heart & Stroke also endorsed a Call to Action statement for provincial governments and sent a follow up letter to the federal government along with other health charities urging more timely access to second doses of the vaccine for at-risk populations.