To better protect against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variants in Ontario, a new bivalent booster dose is now being offered to citizens of the province aged 18 and over, beginning with the most vulnerable populations.
Bivalent COVID-19 boosters are now available to:
- 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; these residents may receive their booster dose directly through the congregate home where they live;
- 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.
If you are 18 and over and not part of the vulnerable group of citizens listed, you can still book your appointment. It’s anticipated that boosters will be readily available by September 26. If you previously booked an appointment for a booster from September 12 to 25, you may be able to receive the bivalent booster based on availability at the time you have your appointment.
And, regardless of how many boosters you have already received, you can still receive the bivalent booster, as long as six months have passed since your previous dose.
Appointments can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900. Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating health care providers and participating pharmacies. Pregnant individuals and health care workers booking from September 12 to 25 must call the PVCC or book booster dose appointments through participating pharmacies.
The bivalent vaccine, along with continued access to testing and antivirals and updated public health guidance, gives Ontarians the tools they need to make the best decisions for themselves on how to stay safe, healthy and out of hospitals as the province continues its efforts to support the recovery and rebuilding of the health system.
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