Starting on Monday, December 13 at 8 a.m., Ontarians aged 50 and over will be eligible to schedule their COVID-19 booster dose appointment, if it's been approximately six months (168 days) since their second dose.
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.
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.
“If you are eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please book your appointment as soon as you can to provide yourself with an extra layer of protection,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“If you have not yet received the vaccine, please do so today. This includes vaccinations for children aged five to 11. Achieving the highest vaccination rates possible remains our 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,” added Dr. Moore.
The province will further expand eligibility for booster doses based on age and risk, with an interval of six to eight months from the second dose in the new year.
The single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will also be available to individuals aged 18 and over who have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines or at the request of individuals who have not yet been vaccinated by contacting their public health unit.
83.02 per cent of eligible Ontarians, aged 5+, have received one dose of vaccine. 79.78 per cent have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.