Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster available to adults 18+

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Huron Perth, ON – On September 12, 2022, the Ontario government announced that the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster will be available to all individuals aged 18 and over, beginning with the most vulnerable populations.

Health Canada authorized this vaccine on September 1, 2022. The bivalent vaccine targets both the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron BA.1 subvariant, and also generates a good immune response against the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

“Staying up-to-date with vaccination maintains our protection against vaccine-preventable diseases,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth, “and allows us to safely participate in more activities and safely spend time with the people we love.”

As of September 12, 2022 at 8 a.m. the following select groups can receive a booster of the bivalent vaccine, if enough time has passed since their last dose. The recommended interval at which a bivalent booster dose can be administered is six months after an individual completed their primary vaccine series or received their most recent booster dose.

  • individuals aged 70 and over;
  • residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
  • First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
  • moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
  • pregnant individuals aged 18 and over; and
  • health care workers aged 18 and over.

To prioritize distribution to the priority populations listed above, new booster appointments for other Ontarians aged 18 and over will be paused until September 26. However, individuals 18 years of age and older who do not belong to a priority population can start booking their appointments today for later dates. Please note that availability of bivalent vaccine depends on shipment schedules and supply from the federal government.

What if you already had an appointment?

All previously-booked booster appointments for September 12 to 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered.  As of September 26, 2022, Ontarians aged 18 and over who are not part of the above groups can receive the bivalent vaccine.

Book an appointment

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) uses the provincial booking system. Individuals may book now for an appointment time when they are eligible.

  • Healthcare workers 18+: Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 – booking online is not yet an option for this group
  • Pregnant individuals 18+: Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre  at 1-833-943-3900 – booking online is not yet an option for this group
  • Adults ages 70+: Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or book online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
  • Immunocompromised individuals: Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or book online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/
  • First Nations, Inuit, Metis (FNIM) individuals 18+, and their household members 18+: Call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or book online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/

The remaining population (individuals ages 18-69) can book into any available clinic with appointment dates beginning September 26.

Individuals ages six months to 17 years can continue to book monovalent vaccines for first, second, or booster doses (based on eligibility) online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, or by calling HPPH’s vaccine booking line at 1-833-753-2098.

HPPH has opened up clinics from now to October 22. Dates and locations are available at www.hpph.ca/getvaccinated.

A walk-in clinic is also being held today, Monday, September 12, in Goderich at Memorial Arena, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Only individuals aged 70+, health care workers aged 18+, pregnant individuals aged 18+, FNIM individuals and their non-indigenous household members 18+, and immunocompromised individuals are eligible to attend. Doses are limited.

HPPH is also working with partners to provide bivalent vaccines for long-term care homes, retirement homes and congregate living settings.

For more information: