COVID-19 communication resources

Find resources in multiple languages to help local communication efforts in responding to covid 19.

Find resources by topic

  • Staying safe

    Resources about how to stay safe during covid 19 and stop it from spreading

  • Vaccine facts

    Resources about covid 19 vaccines and when you can get one

  • Vaccine safety

    Resources about covid 19 vaccine safety and side effects

  • Shareable messages

    Copy to use in communication materials for your community

Supporting communications

On this page, you’ll find easy-to-use tools and resources designed to support local community communication efforts. Use these materials to provide your networks with accurate, verified information about COVID-19covid 19 and help people make informed decisions.

You’ll find:

  • factsheets to download and print
  • infographics to print or share online
  • videos to share on social media
  • shareable messages for your communication materials

Get full descriptions of the resources by topic below, or search for resources by language.

Staying safe during covid 19

A variety of materials on staying safe during covid 19. Includes topics like physical distancing, masks and face coverings and self-isolation (quarantine).

Canadian Muslim covid 19 Task Force

Information and guidance for Muslim communities vetted by medical experts, Imams and community leaders.

Source: Canadian Muslim covid 19 Task Force
Format: website, PDF, infographics, posters, videos
Languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Indonesian, Kyrgyz, Malay, Pashto, Punjabi, Somali, Turkish, Urdu

Latin American covid 19 Task Force

covid 19 information in Spanish and Portuguese from trusted health professionals and community members.

Source: Latin American covid 19 Task Force
Format: website, videos
Languages: Spanish, Portuguese

Multilingual covid 19 information library

Find posters, fact sheets and FAQs about screening, testing, self-isolation and covid 19 vaccines.

Source: Access Alliance
Format: website
Languages: Albanian, American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Cree, Czech, Dari, Denesuline, Eastern Ojibwe, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Innu-Aimun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Italian, Jamaican Creole, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Kurmanji, Low German, Marathi, Mi'kmaq/Mi'kmaw, Michif, Mohawk, Nepali, Oji-Cree, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese – Brazilian, Portuguese –Azorean-European, Punjabi, Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Swahili, Swampy Cree, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, Western Ojibwe

covid 19 screening

Download the covid 19 school and child care screening in multiple languages. Find links to the worker and employee screening and the customer screening.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: PDF, website
Languages: English and French. The school and child care screening is also available to download in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu

Public health measures and restrictions

Find the latest public health measures, advice and restrictions in your area as we continue to respond to covid 19.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: website
Languages: English, French

covid 19 factsheets in many languages

Resources to explain various covid 19 terms and behaviours, such as cleaning and disinfection, masks and face coverings, self-isolating, physical distancing and caring for others.

Source: Public Health Ontario
Format: PDF
Languages: Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Eastern Ojibwe, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mohawk, Oji-Cree, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swampy Cree, Tagalog, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese

covid 19 resources for farm employers and workers

Resources to support farm employers and workers during the covid 19 pandemic, including information on vaccines, testing and income supports.

Source: Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association
Format: videos, audio, fact sheets, templates, posters, guidelines
Languages: English, Spanish, Thai, Nepali, French, Chinese

covid 19 resources for individuals with developmental disabilities, families and caregivers

Resources to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families during covid 19. Includes vaccine information, supports for caregivers, mental health, learning at home and virtual activities.

Source: Connectability
Format: videos, posters, infographics, booklets, stories, fact sheets, webinars

Languages: English. Some resources available in Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Dari, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Karen, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese.

Stopping the spread of covid 19

All the basics about covid 19 and daily actions you can take to help stop the spread of the virus.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: website
Languages: English, French

covid 19 resources for parents and children

Resources and activities to help your child understand what’s going on and how they can help.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Format: PDF, video
Languages: English, French

Resources and videos for Indigenous communities

Awareness resources created for Indigenous communities in Indigenous languages to learn how to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect yourself and your community.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Format: PDF, video
Languages: Denesuline, Eastern Ojibway, English, French, Inuktitut (North Baffin), Inuktitut (South Baffin), Michif Cree, Michif French, Mi’kmaq, Mohawk (Eastern dialect), Mohawk (Western dialect), Nunatsiavummiutut, OjiCree (Roman orthography), OjiCree (syllabics), Plains Cree, Stoney, Swampy Cree, Western Ojibway

Vaccine facts

Find fact sheets, videos and infographics about covid 19 vaccines.

covid 19 questions and answers with Ontario's medical professionals

Medical professionals answer your questions about covid 19 vaccines, including getting the second dose of the vaccine and protecting yourself from variants.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: videos
Languages: English, French

covid 19 vaccine information for youth

Advice for older adults and their caregivers, including common questions about the vaccines.

Information on vaccines for youth, parents, and caregivers, and health and social service providers.

Source: Children’s covid 19 Vaccine Advisory Table
Format: website, PDF
Languages: English

covid 19 vaccine promotion toolkit

Resources about vaccine safety to help increase vaccination confidence in long-term care homes and the community.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: posters, fact sheets, tip sheets, social media messages
Languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Hindi, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Tagalog

What older adults need to know about covid 19 vaccines

Advice for older adults and their caregivers, including common questions about the vaccines.

Source: National Institute on Ageing, Sinai Health
Format: PDF
Languages: English

What you need to know about the covid 19 vaccine for Canada

A downloadable fact sheet for Canadians about the effectiveness, safety and availability of covid 19 vaccines.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Format: PDF
Languages: Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Cree, Dene, English, Farsi, French, German, Innu-Aimun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut (Nunavik), Korean, Michif, Mi’kmaq, Ojibwe Eastern, Ojibwe Western, Oji-Cree, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu

Facts about covid 19 vaccines

A multi-language bulletin to bring you verified vaccination facts, like why get the vaccine, how it works and how effective it is.

Source: Women’s College Hospital, in partnership with Refugee 613, TAIBU Community Health Centre and the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
Format: PDF, video
Languages: Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Urdu

When and how you can get a vaccine

Ontario’s website about when you can get a vaccine and how to book a vaccination appointment.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: website
Languages: English, French

covid 19 vaccines and Indigenous peoples

Information for Indigenous peoples about getting the vaccine in Canada.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada
Format: website
Languages: English, French

covid 19 vaccine safety

Information about the safety and side effects of covid 19 vaccines.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives and knowledge sharing on covid 19 vaccines

First Nations, Inuit and Métis healthcare professionals, traditional practitioners and community members share information about how covid 19 vaccines work and intersections with traditional knowledge and medicine.

Source: Women’s College Hospital, Maad'ookiing Mshkiki – Sharing Medicine

Format: infographics, videos
Languages: English

Dr. Onye Nnorom’s thoughts on the covid 19 vaccine

Dr. Onye Nnorom, President of the Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, answers questions about vaccination and whether she recommends getting the vaccine.

Source: Black Health Alliance
Format: video
Languages: English

Easy read vaccine aftercare infographics

Find drawings and easy-to-read read information on what to expect after getting the covid 19 vaccine.

Source: Health Design Studio
Format: infographics

Languages: Amharic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Dari, Farsi, Tagalog

Vaccine safety, side effects, ingredients and myths

Resources in several formats about vaccine safety, side effects and ingredients.

Source: South Asian Health Network
Format: infographics, PDFs and videos
Languages: Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu

Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman answers questions on vaccines and side effects

Toronto Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity member Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman discusses the science of covid 19 vaccines.

Source: Toronto Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity
Format: video
Languages: English

Vaccine side effects

Explanation of the possible side effects of covid 19 vaccines.

Source: Health Canada
Format: website
Languages: English, French

How vaccines are developed and approved

A description of the process for developing and approving covid 19 vaccines and making them available in Ontario.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: website
Languages: English, French

Shareable messages

Use the messages below on your social media channels, websites or other communication materials for your community.

The longer messages are designed to be shared as-is, or adapted for your network’s needs. For example, you can use the full message in a longer format (such as on Facebook or in a bulletin) or just use one of the bullets on a short social media post (like Twitter or Instagram).

Follow us

Follow Ontario’s social media channels for engagement opportunities. Feel free to engage via retweeting or sharing on your official channels. You can find us at @ONGov and @ONTHealth on all social media platforms.

Staying safe during covid 19
Topic Source Messages Link
General Government of Ontario For the latest and most up-to-date information on #covid 19 in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/covid19 https://covid-19.ontario.ca
Misinformation Government of Ontario False statements and misinformation about #covid 19 continue to circulate online and on social media.
Get information you can trust: @ONgov is a credible, fact-based, and reliable source for #COVID19 information.		 https://covid-19.ontario.ca
COVID Alert Government of Ontario Download the COVID Alert app to protect yourself and your community. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covidalert
COVID-19 self-assessment Government of Ontario Think you might have covid 19? Use the self-assessment tool to help decide if you need a test. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment
Communication resources Government of Ontario Looking for communication resources on #covid 19?
Find information on how to stay safe and help reduce the spread of the virus in your community. Some resources are available in multiple languages		 /page/covid-19-communication-resources
Vaccines
Topic Source Messages Link
Second dose Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, Women’s College Hospital
  • The first dose of a covid 19 vaccine offers you some protection, but not as much as you get from two doses. The second dose of the vaccine gives you better, stronger and longer protection from covid 19 and its variants.
  • The best vaccine for your second dose is the vaccine that is available first. All vaccines in Ontario provide strong protection. They will help protect you and the people you love from getting sick.
  • Serious reactions to the covid 19 vaccine are rare, but mild to moderate reactions are common, such as pain or redness at the injection site, mild fever, headache, tiredness, or muscle aches. Don't worry. These are expected responses to the vaccine, and last only a few days.
  • Millions of people in Ontario have been fully vaccinated, including healthcare workers.
 https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/video/ask-experts-covid-19-vaccines.html
If you do not have a health card Government of Ontario
  • You do not need an OHIP card to receive the vaccine.
  • Anyone who studies, works, visits for a period of 16 weeks or more, lives in Ontario, and wants the vaccine, can get it under the phased provincial vaccine rollout.
  • If you do not have an OHIP card, you may use another form of photo ID that includes your name and date of birth, such as:
    • driver’s license
    • passport
    • a piece of registered mail
    • pay stub
    • student card
    • government issued ID from other jurisdictions including foreign passports, other provincial or territorial health cards, or driver’s licenses.
  • You can provide a combination of IDs if you do not have one ID with your photo, name and date of birth. Expired government issued IDs are accepted.
  • Contact your local public health unit to ask what their process is for confirming your identity. To find your local public health unit, visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine and select the “no Ontario health card” option under Health Card Type, or call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 for service in over 300 languages.
  • If you do not have any identity or photo documentation, you can work with your public health unit and/or community organizations to verify your identity.
 https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
Provincial vaccine information line Government of Ontario Do you have questions about covid 19 vaccination? The Provincial Vaccine Information Line is available in more than 300 languages [phone icon] 1-888-999-6488 (1-866-797-0007). Press 3 to ask for a translator in your language https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-booking-support#contacts-for-more-information
Provincial vaccine booking line Government of Ontario Need help with making an appointment through Ontario’s online vaccine booking system? The Provincial Vaccine Booking Line is available in more than 300 languages [phone icon] 1-833-943-3900 (1-866-797-0007). Press 3 to ask for your language. https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-booking-support#contacts-for-more-information
Vaccine safety Government of Ontario COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Get the facts at ontario.ca/covidvaccines https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccines-ontario
Herd immunity Government of Ontario When a large percentage of the population becomes immune to covid 19, the spread of the virus will slow down or stop. You can protect yourself, your loved ones and your community by getting the covid 19 vaccine. https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/ltc/covid19.aspx
Vaccine research Toronto Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity Vaccines have been extensively researched, in diverse ethno-racial populations, for over 10 years. http://www.torontoblackcovid.com/myths.html
How the vaccines work Women’s College Hospital
  • Vaccines do not cure you, they help to prevent you from getting sick in the first place.
  • The vaccine teaches your body what the covid 19 virus looks like so your body can fight the virus if you come into contact with it.
  • The covid 19 vaccine does this by providing instructions (“mRNA”) to your body to make spike proteins like those on top of the coronavirus. These proteins do not make you sick. Your body’s immune system then makes antibodies to fight the infection if the real virus does enter your body in the future.
 https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/patients-and-caregivers/covid-19-vaccine-multi-language-information-sheets
Why you should get the vaccine Women’s College Hospital
  • For many years, people around the world have used vaccines to protect us from deadly infectious illnesses, such as measles, tetanus and polio.
  • The covid 19 vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself from getting covid 19 and for us all to return to life as normal.
  • The vaccine is an important part of stopping the spread of the virus to our families and communities, in addition to wearing masks, washing hands and staying at least 2 metres away from others.
 https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/patients-and-caregivers/covid-19-vaccine-multi-language-information-sheets
Vaccine development Government of Ontario
  • The covid 19 vaccines have been extensively studied in diverse populations and are considered safe and highly effective.
  • Vaccines for coronaviruses were being studied 10-15 years ahead of the pandemic. Before I knew what a coronavirus was, scientists like [tag local health provider] did their research
  • The covid 19 vaccine was developed by scientists who followed strict processes. No cutting corners on safety.
 https://covid-19.ontario.ca/covid-19-vaccine-safety
Vaccine facts Government of Ontario
  • The covid 19 vaccine does not:
    • infect you
    • alter your DNA
    • cause disabilities
    • affect your fertility
  • The vaccine protects you and your loved ones. Distancing and wearing a mask after you get vaccinated protects you and your loved ones even more.
 https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine-ontario
Vaccine ingredients Toronto Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity The mRNA vaccines do not contain: microchips, gelatin (pork), preservatives, formaldehyde, thimerosal, aluminum, latex, antibiotics, live or attenuated virus, animal or human (including fetal) cells/tissue. http://www.torontoblackcovid.com/myths.html
Side effects Women’s College Hospital
  • The covid 19 vaccines are considered very safe.
  • In general, the side effects observed during the large scientific studies are similar to what you might experience with other vaccines. They included things like shoulder/arm pain at the site of injection, body and muscle pains, chills, feeling tired and feeling feverish.
  • These are common side effects of vaccines and do not pose a risk to health.
  • If any of these is experienced, it will typically resolve in about a day or so. These symptoms may occur after both doses of the vaccine.
  • As with all vaccines, there’s a very small chance of a more serious side effect, like an allergic reaction. This is why you will be asked to stay at the vaccination site (a clinic, or your doctor’s office) for 15-30 minutes after getting the vaccine, so medical staff can take care of you.
  • You cannot get covid 19 from the vaccine.
 https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/patients-and-caregivers/covid-19-vaccine-multi-language-information-sheets

Find resources by language or topic

Click on the column headings to sort the resources by language, topic or format. You can also enter keywords in the search bar.

Get help by phone in your language

Find a service provider that can help you with covid 19 and vaccine information in your language.

Provincial vaccine booking and information lines

Get help and information in over 300 languages:

  • call 1-833-943-3900 (1-866-797-0007) for help with booking a vaccine appointment
  • call 1-888-999-6488 (1-866-797-0007) for information about the covid 19 vaccine

Phone lines are available between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

Press 3 to ask for your language. You may have to wait to speak to someone if call volumes are high.

Source: Government of Ontario
Format: Telephone
Languages: More than 300 languages

Apna Health

Get covid 19 and vaccine information and support in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali and Punjabi. Call 647-846-2233 or toll-free at 1-866-300-3454 to speak to someone 7 days a week.

Source: Apna Health
Format: Telephone
Languages: Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali and Punjabi

Punjabi Community Health Services

Get covid 19 and vaccine information and support in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi and Tamil. You can fill out an online form and a team member will contact you.

Source: Punjabi Community Health Services
Format: Website, telephone
Languages: English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi, Tamil

About the resources

These materials are created and maintained by the Government of Ontario and other sources. Some materials were developed at a specific point in time and may not be updated regularly. The resources are not intended to be an exhaustive list or to take the place of medical or legal advice. By clicking on links to external sources, you take full responsibility for understanding and agreeing to their terms or conditions of use. The Government of Ontario is not responsible for the content, user experience or privacy policies on those sites.

If you have any concerns about these resources, please let us know.

covid 19 vaccines for Ontario

Getting the vaccine

covid 19 vaccine safety

Updated: July 27, 2021