Vaccine Exemptions

As per SMDHU and NACI the following are the ONLY medical exemptions for which a physician or NP would write a note for a patient requesting medical exemption from getting two Canadian approved Covid-19 vaccines (to provide to an employer for example). With more Covid vaccine policies coming into effect in workplaces and society, these requests will become more common. 

• History of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after previous administration of a COVID-19 vaccine or a known severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to a component of a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with a history of allergy not related to a component of authorized COVID-19 vaccines or other injectable therapy (e.g. foods, oral drugs, insect venom or environmental allergens) can receive COVID-19 vaccines without any special precautions.

• Those who developed myocarditis or pericarditis following the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should not receive a second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine until more information is available.
  
  
  

The following people should not receive the AstraZeneca /COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine, but can safely receive an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna):

• Those with history of venous or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia

• Those with history of capillary leak syndrome