Like, share and tag your COVID-19 vaccine selfie with the Health Department and win prizes

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department is joining the This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain movement with the launch of a COVID-19 vaccine selfie campaign at all local COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

Starting today, July 26, This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain – Roll Up Your Sleeves Durham photo selfie displays will be located at area COVID-19 vaccination clinics, encouraging residents to take a selfie after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine and posting it on social media to celebrate Durham Region’s achievement in increasing vaccination rates. The contest is open to all area residents 12 and older who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Two $50 gift cards for either the Oshawa Centre or Pickering Town Centre will be awarded to two Durham Region residents. Entries can be submitted until Aug. 31.

“Whether you’re just getting your first dose, you had your first dose several weeks ago or you’re fully vaccinated with two doses, everyone is welcome to take part in this contest,” said Dr. Pepi McTavish, Durham Region Associate Medical Officer of Health. “We’re inviting area residents 12 and older to participate in this fun, celebratory way to express their pride in receiving their COVID-19 vaccine.”

When checking out after receiving your vaccine, anyone can go to the This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain photo selfie displays located outside the clinics or look for the This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain banners posted in clinic windows. All residents are invited to take a selfie and post it in the comment section of one of the Health Department’s Facebook social media posts highlighting the contest. People who don’t use social media can also participate by emailing a copy of their selfie to vaccine.contest@durham.ca. If you choose not to share a selfie, but would still like to participate, you can like and share one of the Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine education social media posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to enter the contest. All education posts will include #ThisIsOurShotCa #TogetherAgain, making them easy to identify.

If you’re already fully vaccinated and will not be going back to a clinic, you can also participate. Simply take a selfie, indicating that you’re fully vaccinated, and post it in the comment section of one of the Health Department’s Facebook social media posts highlighting the contest. Prizes will be awarded by random draw of all contest entries.

“Durham Region residents have shown a tremendous interest in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine,” explained Dr. McTavish. “Clinic staff administer over 7,000 doses of vaccine each day at all area clinics. This is an incredible undertaking and we’re very pleased to see area residents so committed to curbing the spread of COVID-19 and working very hard to protect one another. We extend a big thank you to everyone who is committed to the health, safety and well-being of all Durham Region residents.”

The This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain campaign is a movement aimed to rally Canadians and encourage each other to replace vaccine hesitancy with confidence so that we can end the pandemic – together. To book a vaccine appointment at any Durham Region clinic, visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or contact the call center booking line at 1-888-444-5113. For additional details about the This Is Our Shot #TogetherAgain COVID-19 vaccine selfie contest or more information on distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

Quick Facts

• 485,913 area residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; this includes 76 per cent of area youth 12 to 17 and 76 per cent of area residents 18 and older.
• 394,224 area residents are fully vaccinated receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccine; this includes 62 per cent of area youth 12 to 17 and 64 per cent of residents 18 and older.

Information about COVID-19 vaccines

• All COVID-19 vaccines work by presenting the body with something that looks like the infection so your immune system can learn how to produce its own natural protection. This natural protection then helps to prevent illness if you come into contact with the COVID-19 virus in the future. You cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
• All COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada are effective at protecting against symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed disease.
• Vaccine effectiveness 14 days after dose one and before dose two is estimated to be over 90 per cent for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This is the vaccine approved for youth 12 to 17 in Canada.
• It is important that you receive both doses of the vaccines. Long-term protection against COVID-19 is not achieved until after the second dose of vaccine is received for vaccines that require two doses.