Vitamin D is one of those nutrients that sounds simple until you start asking the real questions: Am I getting enough? Should I supplement? What's the right dose? Does timing matter?
This guide is built for health-conscious Canadians who want a clear, practical understanding of vitamin D without wading through heavy science. We cover what vitamin D is, what it does in your body, why so many Canadians fall short, signs you might be low, how much to take, the best way to take it, which supplements pair well with it, and how to choose a quality product.
We have also published a complete series of in-depth articles on every major vitamin D topic. Each section below links to the full deep-dive so you can follow whatever thread matters most to you.
Important note: This article is for education, not medical advice. If you have a medical condition, take medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have concerns about deficiency, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
In This Series: The Complete Vitamin D Guide
- Vitamin D3 vs D2: What's the Difference and Which Should You Take?
- Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency: Signs, Causes & How to Fix It
- How Much Vitamin D Do Canadians Actually Need?
- When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamin D? Morning vs Night Explained
- What Foods Should You Eat With Vitamin D to Improve Absorption?
- Can You Get Enough Vitamin D From Food Alone?
- Best Supplements to Take With Vitamin D (Magnesium, K2 & More)
- Vitamin D and Immune Health: What the Research Actually Says
- Vitamin D and Mood: The Connection Between Sunshine and Mental Health
- Vitamin D and Bone Health: The D3, K2 & Calcium Connection
- Vitamin D for Kids: When to Start Supplementing
- Vitamin D and Prenatal Health: Why It Matters Before and During Pregnancy
- All the Different Vitamin D Forms: Liquid, Softgels, Tablets, or Gummies
- Should You Get Your Vitamin D Levels Tested?
1. What Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions more like a hormone than a traditional nutrient. Instead of acting as a single-purpose helper, it supports multiple systems throughout the body — bones, muscles, immune function, mood, and more. Receptors for vitamin D exist in nearly every tissue in the body, which is part of why researchers keep finding new connections between vitamin D status and overall health.
Where Vitamin D Comes From
- Sunlight: Your skin produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB rays. This is the most efficient natural source, but it is also the most unreliable — especially for Canadians dealing with long winters, indoor lifestyles, and the angle of the sun at northern latitudes.
- Food: Fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods (like some dairy and plant milks) provide small amounts. Food alone rarely meets daily needs.
- Supplements: The most consistent and controllable source, particularly during fall and winter months.
Vitamin D2 vs Vitamin D3
When you shop for vitamin D, you will mostly see two forms. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plant or fungal sources and is used in some fortified foods. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form produced by your skin and the form found in most supplements. For daily supplementation, D3 is generally considered the better choice. Vegan D3 made from lichen is widely available and just as effective as animal-sourced options.
Read the full comparison: Vitamin D3 vs D2 — What's the Difference and Which Should You Take?
2. Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient gaps in Canada. The tricky part is that the symptoms are often subtle, gradual, and easy to confuse with everyday life — stress, poor sleep, getting older, or just being busy. Some people have low levels for years without any obvious warning sign.
Commonly Reported Signs of Low Vitamin D
- Persistent fatigue or low energy that does not improve with rest
- Getting sick more frequently or taking longer to recover
- Bone or joint discomfort, especially in the back or legs
- Muscle weakness or reduced physical endurance
- Low mood, particularly during fall and winter months
- Slow wound healing
- Hair thinning (in some cases)
Why Symptoms Are Easy to Miss
Vitamin D does its work quietly in the background. Low levels do not usually create sharp or sudden symptoms. Instead, they tend to show up as a general sense of not feeling your best — things that are easy to dismiss or attribute to other causes. The only reliable way to know if your levels are low is through a blood test.
Certain groups are at higher risk: people with limited sun exposure, older adults, those with darker skin tones, and people who spend most of the day indoors.
Read the full article: Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency — Signs, Causes & How to Fix It
3. How Much Vitamin D Do Canadians Actually Need?
This is one of the most searched questions for a reason. Dosage recommendations vary depending on the source, and for Canadians specifically, the standard guidelines issued by American health bodies may actually underestimate what most people need.
Canada sits between roughly the 43rd and 83rd parallel north. From October through March, the angle of the sun at these latitudes is too low for skin to produce meaningful amounts of vitamin D — even on a sunny day. That means most Canadians spend at least five months of the year with no meaningful sun-based vitamin D production at all.
General Daily Vitamin D Guidelines (by Age)
- Infants (0 to 12 months): 400 IU (10 mcg) per day
- Children (1 to 8 years): 600 IU (15 mcg) per day
- Teens (9 to 18 years): 600 to 800 IU (15 to 20 mcg) per day
- Adults (19 to 50 years): 800 to 1,000 IU (20 to 25 mcg) per day
- Adults (50+ years): 1,000 to 2,000 IU (25 to 50 mcg) per day
Factors That May Increase Your Needs
- Living north of the 42nd parallel (most of Canada)
- Darker skin tone, which reduces UVB absorption
- Spending most of the day indoors
- Older age (skin becomes less efficient at producing vitamin D)
- Higher body weight (vitamin D is fat-soluble and can be sequestered in fat tissue)
- Low dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods
These ranges reflect common recommendations for general wellness, not treatment of a diagnosed deficiency. If you suspect you are significantly low, a blood test will give you a much clearer picture than any guideline.
Read the full article: How Much Vitamin D Do Canadians Actually Need?
4. When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamin D?
The short answer: the best time to take vitamin D is the time you will reliably remember to take it. Consistency matters far more than timing.
That said, there are a few practical things worth knowing that can help you get more out of your supplement.
Take It With Food (Ideally Something With Fat)
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means your body absorbs it more efficiently when it is taken alongside a meal that contains some fat. Even a small amount helps — a handful of nuts, an avocado, a piece of salmon, or a meal cooked in olive oil all qualify. Taking vitamin D on a completely empty stomach is not harmful, but absorption can be lower.
Morning vs Evening
Most people find it easier to remember their vitamin D in the morning, which also tends to pair naturally with breakfast. Some people report that taking vitamin D late in the evening feels stimulating and affects sleep, while others notice no difference at all. The research is not definitive on this, so the best approach is to experiment and find what works for your routine.
Daily vs Weekly Dosing
Daily doses are generally preferred for general wellness because they are easier to keep consistent. Higher-dose weekly regimens exist but are typically used in clinical settings for correction of deficiency, not for routine maintenance.
Read the full article: When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamin D? Morning vs Night Explained
5. What Foods Should You Eat With Vitamin D to Improve Absorption?
Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, what you eat alongside your supplement (or vitamin D-rich foods) has a real effect on how much your body actually absorbs. Taking your supplement with the right foods is one of the simplest ways to get more value out of every dose.
Foods That Support Vitamin D Absorption
- Healthy fats: Avocado, olive oil, nuts and seeds, and nut butters are excellent pairing options
- Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring are also natural sources of vitamin D, making them a double benefit
- Eggs: Egg yolks contain both fat and small amounts of vitamin D
- Full-fat dairy or fortified plant milks: Practical pairing options for a morning routine
What to Be Aware Of
Very high-fibre meals may slightly reduce fat absorption in some individuals, which could in theory affect vitamin D uptake. This is not a reason to avoid fibre — it is simply a nudge to make sure your vitamin D dose includes some fat, not just fibre-heavy foods alone. Coffee and caffeine do not meaningfully interfere with vitamin D absorption, so taking your supplement with your morning coffee alongside a meal is perfectly fine.
Read the full article: What Foods Should You Eat With Vitamin D to Improve Absorption?
6. Can You Get Enough Vitamin D From Food Alone?
For most Canadians, the honest answer is no. While a handful of foods naturally contain vitamin D, the amounts are modest and the variety of food sources is limited. Getting to even a baseline daily intake through diet alone requires eating fatty fish several times per week, which is not realistic for most people.
Natural Food Sources of Vitamin D
- Salmon (cooked, 75g): approximately 400 to 700 IU
- Canned tuna (75g): approximately 150 IU
- Egg yolk (1 large): approximately 40 IU
- Fortified milk (250ml): approximately 100 IU
- Fortified orange juice (250ml): approximately 100 IU
These numbers show how quickly the gap appears. An adult aiming for 1,000 IU per day would need to eat salmon every single day to come close to that through food alone, before accounting for preparation losses, individual absorption differences, or the lack of sun during Canadian winters.
Sunlight Fills Some of the Gap — But Not Reliably
In the summer months, a fair-skinned person spending 15 to 30 minutes outdoors with arms and legs exposed around midday can produce a significant amount of vitamin D. But this varies enormously based on skin tone, body coverage, cloud cover, sunscreen use, and latitude. It is not something most people can consistently rely on as a primary source.
Read the full article: Can You Get Enough Vitamin D From Food Alone?
7. Best Supplements to Take With Vitamin D
Vitamin D does not work in isolation. Several nutrients interact with it directly, either helping your body absorb and activate it, or working alongside it to make sure the benefits end up where they should. Understanding these relationships can help you supplement smarter rather than just adding more pills.
Vitamin K2 (Most Important Pairing)
Vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 are closely connected when it comes to calcium metabolism. Vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium from your gut. Vitamin K2 then acts as a traffic director, helping ensure that calcium goes to your bones and teeth rather than accumulating in soft tissues or arteries. For anyone taking higher doses of vitamin D long-term, K2 is widely considered the most important companion nutrient. This is why you will often see D3 and K2 combined in a single supplement.
Magnesium (Often Overlooked)
Magnesium is required for several of the enzymatic steps that convert vitamin D into its active form in the body. If you are low in magnesium, your body may not be able to use vitamin D efficiently, regardless of how much you supplement. Magnesium deficiency is extremely common and often goes undetected.
Calcium (With Nuance)
Vitamin D supports calcium absorption, but that does not automatically mean everyone needs a calcium supplement. Many people get sufficient calcium from dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods. Whether calcium supplementation makes sense depends on your diet and individual circumstances — worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Read the full article: Best Supplements to Take With Vitamin D (Magnesium, K2 & More)
8. Vitamin D and Immune Health
One of the most talked-about roles of vitamin D is its connection to immune function. This is not just wellness marketing — there is meaningful research behind it. Vitamin D receptors are present on virtually every immune cell in the body, which suggests vitamin D plays a direct role in how the immune system responds and regulates itself.
How Vitamin D Supports Immune Function
Vitamin D helps regulate both the innate immune system (your first-line rapid response) and the adaptive immune system (the more targeted, memory-based response). It supports the production of antimicrobial proteins and helps modulate inflammatory responses, which is why maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is often associated with more balanced immune activity.
The Winter Connection
There is a reason immune challenges tend to peak in fall and winter. The timing lines up closely with the period when Canadians have the least sun exposure and, consequently, the lowest vitamin D levels of the year. While vitamin D is not a cure or a guaranteed shield, keeping your levels in a healthy range through the colder months is a reasonable and well-supported part of an immune health strategy.
What the Research Actually Says
Studies have shown associations between low vitamin D levels and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. Research also points to a role in autoimmune regulation. That said, the relationship is complex and not fully settled. The key takeaway is that vitamin D is one important piece of the immune health picture — not a silver bullet, but not something to ignore either.
Read the full article: Vitamin D and Immune Health — What the Research Actually Says
9. Vitamin D and Mood
The nickname "the sunshine vitamin" has always carried a double meaning. Sunlight lifts mood, and sunlight produces vitamin D. But is there a direct link between vitamin D levels and how you feel mentally and emotionally? The evidence suggests there is a meaningful connection, even if the full picture is still being studied.
Vitamin D Receptors in the Brain
Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the brain, including in areas involved in mood regulation, motivation, and emotional processing. Vitamin D also appears to play a role in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely associated with feelings of wellbeing. This gives researchers reason to investigate the vitamin D-mood connection beyond coincidence.
Seasonal Mood Changes and Vitamin D
For many Canadians, mood tends to dip in fall and winter. While reduced daylight hours, social changes, and cold weather all play a role, declining vitamin D levels during this period are part of the equation for many people. Studies have found associations between lower vitamin D status and higher rates of low mood, particularly in populations with limited sun exposure.
An Important Distinction
Vitamin D is not a treatment for depression or any mental health condition, and low vitamin D is rarely the sole cause of mood changes. But for someone who is deficient, correcting that deficiency is a reasonable and evidence-informed step as part of a broader approach to supporting mental wellbeing. Think of it as removing a potential obstacle rather than a standalone solution.
Read the full article: Vitamin D and Mood — The Connection Between Sunshine and Mental Health
10. Vitamin D and Bone Health
Bone health is the most well-established role of vitamin D, and for good reason. Without adequate vitamin D, your body cannot properly absorb calcium from food, regardless of how much calcium you consume. This makes vitamin D not just a companion nutrient for bones but an essential one.
The D3, K2, and Calcium Triad
Bone health is rarely about one nutrient in isolation. Vitamin D3 drives calcium absorption from the gut into the bloodstream. Vitamin K2 then directs that calcium toward bones and teeth, away from arteries and soft tissues. Calcium provides the raw material that goes into the bone matrix. All three need to be present in sufficient amounts for the system to work properly.
Long-Term Consequences of Low Vitamin D
Chronically low vitamin D is associated with reduced bone density over time. In children, severe deficiency can lead to rickets, a condition causing soft and weakened bones. In adults, prolonged deficiency is linked to osteomalacia (softening of bones) and is a contributing factor to osteoporosis risk as people age. This is why bone health is not just a concern for older adults — building and maintaining strong bones is a lifelong process, and vitamin D plays a role at every stage.
Bone Health Beyond Supplementation
Vitamin D supplementation is one part of a bone health strategy. Weight-bearing exercise, adequate protein intake, magnesium, and minimising factors that deplete bone (like excessive alcohol or smoking) all matter too. But vitamin D is often the easiest gap to address and one of the most impactful.
Read the full article: Vitamin D and Bone Health — The D3, K2 & Calcium Connection
11. Vitamin D for Kids
Vitamin D is particularly important during childhood and adolescence when bones are actively developing, the immune system is maturing, and growth is rapid. Yet kids today are spending less time outdoors than any previous generation, and their diets often do not compensate for the shortfall.
Why Kids Are at Higher Risk of Low Vitamin D
- More time spent indoors on screens compared to past generations
- Heavy sunscreen use (necessary and recommended, but it reduces UVB exposure)
- Picky eating habits that limit fatty fish and other vitamin D sources
- Breastfed infants, in particular, may need supplementation since breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D
What Vitamin D Supports in Growing Children
Beyond bone development, vitamin D supports normal muscle function, plays a role in immune health, and may influence mood and cognitive development. It is one of the few supplements that health authorities widely recommend for infants and children across Canada.
Choosing the Right Form and Dose for Kids
Liquid vitamin D drops are the most practical option for infants and toddlers because they allow for precise dosing. Chewable tablets or gummies become appropriate as children get older. Dosing needs to be age-appropriate — infant doses are much lower than adult doses, and it is important not to apply adult supplement habits to young children.
Read the full article: Vitamin D for Kids — When to Start Supplementing
12. Vitamin D and Prenatal Health
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients to have in a healthy range before and during pregnancy. Its role goes well beyond bone formation — it is involved in immune function, cell division, and the development of the baby's organs and nervous system. Despite this, vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women in Canada, partly because pregnancy increases demand at a time when sun exposure may be limited.
Why Vitamin D Matters Before Pregnancy
Optimal vitamin D levels before conception support hormonal balance, immune function, and general cellular health — all relevant to fertility and early pregnancy outcomes. It is one of the nutrients worth addressing as part of preconception planning, ideally a few months before trying to conceive.
During Pregnancy
Vitamin D supports the baby's skeletal development, healthy birth weight, and immune system formation. Low vitamin D during pregnancy has been associated in research with a higher risk of complications, though the exact mechanisms are still being studied. Most prenatal vitamins include some vitamin D, but the amounts vary widely — checking the label and discussing your levels with a healthcare provider is worthwhile.
Breastfeeding and Postpartum
Breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D, which is why Health Canada recommends that exclusively breastfed infants receive a vitamin D supplement from birth. Postpartum vitamin D needs for the mother also remain elevated, particularly during recovery and while breastfeeding.
Read the full article: Vitamin D and Prenatal Health — Why It Matters Before and During Pregnancy
13. Forms of Vitamin D: Liquid, Softgels, Tablets, or Gummies
Vitamin D supplements come in several forms, and the differences between them are more practical than they are about efficacy. All forms can deliver vitamin D effectively when taken correctly. What matters most is choosing a form you will actually take consistently and that fits your life and lifestyle.
Liquid Vitamin D Drops
Drops are the most flexible option. They allow precise dose adjustments (especially useful for infants and small children), absorb quickly, and can be added to food or drink. This is the go-to form for infants and often the best choice for people who have difficulty swallowing capsules. Look for drops suspended in a quality oil base for optimal absorption.
Softgels and Capsules
Softgels are among the most popular forms for adults. They are easy to take, have a long shelf life, and are often formulated with an oil base built in, which supports absorption. Many high-quality D3 plus K2 combinations come in softgel form. Capsules (as opposed to gelatin softgels) are available for those who prefer vegetarian or vegan options.
Tablets
Tablets tend to have the longest shelf life and are often the most affordable per dose. They are a practical option for those who want a no-fuss supplement. Some tablets are chewable, which works well for older children and adults who prefer not to swallow pills.
Gummies
Gummies are the easiest supplement to get kids — and many adults — to take consistently. They are taste-friendly and remove the barrier of swallowing pills. The trade-off is that gummies may contain added sugars and sometimes provide inconsistent amounts of vitamin D from gummy to gummy. Check the dose carefully and account for the sugar content if you are watching intake.
Read the full article: All the Different Vitamin D Forms — Liquid, Softgels, Tablets, or Gummies
14. Should You Get Your Vitamin D Levels Tested?
Testing your vitamin D levels is the only way to know for certain where you stand. Symptoms alone are not reliable enough to diagnose deficiency, and assumptions based on lifestyle or diet can miss the mark. A simple blood test gives you actual data to work with.
What the Test Measures
The standard test is called a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, or 25(OH)D. It measures the storage form of vitamin D in your blood and is considered the most accurate indicator of overall vitamin D status. Results are reported in nmol/L (Canada) or ng/mL (United States).
Who Should Consider Getting Tested
- Anyone who has been experiencing ongoing fatigue, bone discomfort, or frequent illness with no clear cause
- People who spend most of their time indoors or live in northern Canada
- Older adults, who are at higher risk of deficiency and its long-term consequences
- People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Those with conditions that affect fat absorption (such as Crohn's disease, celiac, or cystic fibrosis), since vitamin D absorption depends on dietary fat
- Individuals with darker skin tones, who produce less vitamin D from sunlight
- Anyone who has been supplementing for several months and wants to confirm their levels are in a healthy range
What to Do With Your Results
Testing takes the guesswork out of supplementing. If your levels are low, you and your healthcare provider can determine an appropriate correction dose. If your levels are in a healthy range, you can feel confident that your current routine is working. Either way, knowing is better than guessing — especially for a nutrient that affects so many systems in your body.
Read the full article: Should You Get Your Vitamin D Levels Tested?
Common Vitamin D Myths Worth Clearing Up
"I get enough sun, so I don't need to supplement."
Even during summer, how much vitamin D your skin produces depends on the time of day, cloud cover, skin tone, clothing, sunscreen use, and your latitude. For most Canadians, summer sun is not consistent enough to maintain optimal levels year-round — and from October through March, meaningful vitamin D production from sunlight essentially stops regardless of how much time you spend outside.
"More vitamin D is always better."
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, which means it accumulates in the body. At very high doses taken over extended periods, it is possible to develop toxicity. This is rare at standard supplementation doses, but it is a reason not to megadose without guidance. A blood test and professional guidance are the sensible approach if you are considering higher doses.
"Vitamin D is only important in winter."
Vitamin D supports bone health, immune function, mood, and multiple other systems year-round. While the risk of deficiency increases in winter, the underlying need for adequate vitamin D does not switch off when the sun comes out. Many Canadians have suboptimal levels even in summer because indoor lifestyles limit meaningful sun exposure.
"If I eat well, I am getting enough vitamin D."
Very few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D. Unless you are eating fatty fish several times a week and consuming fortified foods daily, it is unlikely that diet alone is meeting your needs — particularly at the levels that support long-term health.
How to Choose a Quality Vitamin D Supplement
The supplement market is large and the quality varies. A few simple criteria can help you choose well without overcomplicating it.
- Choose vitamin D3 over D2 for daily supplementation (look for lichen-sourced D3 if you follow a vegan diet)
- Check that the dosage is appropriate for your age and needs — not all supplements are dosed the same
- Look for products with third-party testing or certification (NSF, USP, or equivalent)
- Consider a D3 + K2 combination if you are supplementing for bone health or taking higher doses
- Keep the ingredient list simple — the fewer unnecessary fillers and additives, the better
- For kids and infants, choose age-appropriate forms and doses rather than adjusting adult products
Shop Quality Vitamin D Supplements at Wellness Market
Explore the Full Vitamin D Series
Each article in this series goes deeper on one topic from this guide. Pick whatever is most relevant to you right now.
- Vitamin D3 vs D2: What's the Difference and Which Should You Take?
- Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency: Signs, Causes & How to Fix It
- How Much Vitamin D Do Canadians Actually Need?
- When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamin D? Morning vs Night Explained
- What Foods Should You Eat With Vitamin D to Improve Absorption?
- Can You Get Enough Vitamin D From Food Alone?
- Best Supplements to Take With Vitamin D (Magnesium, K2 & More)
- Vitamin D and Immune Health: What the Research Actually Says
- Vitamin D and Mood: The Connection Between Sunshine and Mental Health
- Vitamin D and Bone Health: The D3, K2 & Calcium Connection
- Vitamin D for Kids: When to Start Supplementing
- Vitamin D and Prenatal Health: Why It Matters Before and During Pregnancy
- All the Different Vitamin D Forms: Liquid, Softgels, Tablets, or Gummies
- Should You Get Your Vitamin D Levels Tested?
Vitamin D FAQ
Can you take vitamin D every day?
Yes. Vitamin D is commonly taken daily at age-appropriate doses. Daily intake helps maintain consistent levels, which is particularly important for Canadians during the months when sunlight-based production is minimal.
Is it better to take vitamin D daily or weekly?
For general wellness, daily dosing is preferred because it is easier to keep consistent and provides steady levels. Higher-dose weekly regimens are sometimes used clinically to correct deficiency more quickly, but daily maintenance dosing is typically the better long-term habit.
Can you take vitamin D on an empty stomach?
You can, but absorption is generally better when vitamin D is taken with a meal containing some fat. Even a small amount of dietary fat improves uptake since vitamin D is fat-soluble.
How long does it take to feel the effects of vitamin D?
This varies considerably from person to person. Some people notice changes in energy or general wellbeing within a few weeks. Others may not notice any obvious change, particularly if their baseline was not severely low. Vitamin D works gradually and supports long-term health more than it creates immediate noticeable effects. A blood test before and after supplementing gives a clearer picture than subjective feelings alone.
Is vitamin D safe for long-term use?
Yes, when taken at appropriate doses. Vitamin D supplementation at standard daily amounts is safe for long-term use and is widely recommended for Canadians. Extremely high doses over extended periods are not appropriate without professional guidance.
Can you get too much vitamin D?
Yes, though it is uncommon at standard supplementation doses. Vitamin D toxicity occurs when very high amounts accumulate in the body over time, leading to elevated calcium levels. This is not a concern at typical daily doses (up to 2,000 IU for most adults) but is a reason to avoid megadosing without knowing your actual blood levels.
Do I need a prescription to get my vitamin D levels tested in Canada?
In most provinces, a physician or nurse practitioner can order a 25(OH)D blood test. Coverage under provincial health plans varies. Some provinces only cover the test for people in specific risk categories. Private testing through a lab is also available without a prescription in most areas.
