More people eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster

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Huron Perth, ON – To provide extra protection against COVID-19, Ontario is expanding eligibility for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to adults aged 50 and over and additional high-risk individuals.  The announcement was made Thursday, December 2, by the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Beginning Monday, December 13, individuals aged 50 and over will be able to schedule their booster dose appointment through select pharmacies, mass vaccination clinics, and primary care provider offices.  At least six months or 168 days must have passed since the second dose. 

A high vaccination rate remains the best tool to protect us, reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and fight the significant surge of new cases and the new Omicron variant.  “Vaccination is our best defence against COVID-19, especially as we head into the holiday season” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth. “Expanded eligibility for booster doses is welcome news and I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their third dose when enough time has passed after their second.”

Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) will open its vaccine booking system to those aged 50 and over on December 13. 

Due to a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, effective immediately individuals receiving dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) are eligible to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if it has been 56 days since their second dose. Also effective immediately, the province is recommending re-vaccination with a new COVID-19 vaccine primary series post-transplantation for individuals who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT) (autologous or allogeneic), and recipients of CAR-T-cell therapy, due to the loss of immunity following therapy or transplant.

Please make sure you are eligible before attending a clinic. A complete list of eligibility is provided at www.hpph.ca/thirddose.  Use the dose calculator to find out the earliest date you can receive the third dose.  If you come to a clinic but are not eligible, you will be turned away.

If you are eligible due to being immunocompromised, you will be asked for documentation from your healthcare provider or to attest to your medical condition and attest that you have received direction from your healthcare provider to receive a third dose.

Either mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) may be used as a booster dose, regardless of which vaccine was received for the first or second dose.  For individuals aged 12 and over, COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time, or any time before or after another immunization, such as the influenza immunization (“flu shot”).  Children aged five to 11 should not receive another vaccine within 14 days before or after the COVID-19 vaccine.

HPPH clinics are posted at www.hpph.ca/vaccinebooking. We continue to welcome individuals receiving their first and second doses, as well as those eligible for a third dose.  Anyone eligible for vaccine can attend any clinic.

A complete two-dose vaccination series continues to meet all proof of vaccination requirements for those aged 12 and over.

The province also announced that a limited supply of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available to individuals aged 18 and over who have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) or at the request of an individual who has not yet been vaccinated.  Those wishing to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should contact their health unit.

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Media Contact: communications@hpph.ca