More Ontario residents will soon be eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of November 6.
“For some groups, two doses may not be enough to achieve a high enough level of protection, or immunity can decrease gradually over time, leaving them at a higher-risk for serious outcomes,” explained Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore.
Ontario began providing third doses in August for those considered the most at-risk of contracting COVID-19, such as those who are immunosuppressed, transplant recipients and those living in long-term care homes.
But now, after new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Ontario will be offering COVID-19 booster doses to additional residents, if at least six months have passed since their second dose.
Eligible residents include:
- Those aged 70 and over,
- Healthcare workers and designated care givers,
- First Nations, Inuit and Metis adults and their non-Indigenous household members,
- Individuals who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
“These additional groups will benefit from a booster dose as they are at an increased risk of waning immunity and greater risk of exposure, serious illness and outcomes,” adds Moore.
Dr. Moore notes the province is on the cusp of the Ontario government’s vaccination goal of 90 per cent. As of November 3, about 88 per cent have one dose, and 84.7 per cent of eligible residents have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.