The province is opening up the age eligibility requirement to receive the second booster dose against COVID-19.
Starting today (Thursday), anyone between 18 and 59 can get a fourth shot.
Dr. Kieran Moore says the people in this age group that are most vulnerable, should get a booster.
“Primarily those who should consider getting that vaccine are those with underlying medical illness because they will get the greatest benefit. So if you haven’t had your booster dose yet, you’re between 18 and 59, and you smoke or have diabetes and/or any underlying illness, please consider getting that booster dose.”
Second booster doses are being offered at an interval of five months after an individual receives their first booster dose.
Dr. Moore notes that five million Ontarians have yet to get their first booster shot.
You can book an appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
You can also book directly though Northwestern Health Unit Booking Information Page, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics and participating pharmacies
The province also announced that Rapid Antigen Tests will continue to made available free of charge until at least the end of the year.
Meantime, Dr. Moore suggests we’re still a couple of weeks away from the peak of the seventh wave of COVID-19.
He says new variants are behind most of the cases we’re seeing.
“BA.5 is more transmissible which is reflected in the data we have seen in the last few weeks, including an increase in the provincial wastewater signal, as well as increases in per cent positivity, COVID-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions.”
Dr. Moore says at this time, the province is not considering a return of mask mandates, but that could change depending whether hospitals can handle the extra cases.
“While we’ve entered a new wave, Ontario is experiencing a slower trajectory in this wave as compared to previous waves.”
He adds, “We absolutely are monitoring internationally. There will be other strains that we need to maintain protection for and protect our health system for.”
On the same note Health Canada has approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers, making it the first vaccine approved for that age group in the country.
The vaccine can be given to young children between the ages of six months and five years old in doses one-quarter the size of that approved for adults.
The approval expands vaccine eligibility to nearly two million children in Canada, though the availability of the vaccine will be determined by provinces.
The vaccine requires two dose given about four weeks apart.
Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for young children between six-months and five-years old was submitted to Health Canada last month and is still under review.
(With Files From Tim Davidson)
