THUNDER BAY – Facing a seventh wave of infections, the Ontario government has announced it will open eligibility for second COVID-19 booster shots to all Ontarians 18 and older as of Thursday.
Those who are eligible can book appointments beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday through the province’s COVID-19 vaccination portal by calling 1-833-943-3900, through their local health unit, and with participating pharmacies, the government announced Wednesday.
Thunder Bay’s medical officer of health, Dr. Janet DeMille, has said updated booster shots will be a crucial step in mitigating the impacts of a seventh wave of infections driven by the BA.5 Omicron sub-variant.
Second booster doses are being offered at an interval of five months after the initial booster dose.
Booster shots increase protection from severe outcomes from COVID to around 90 per cent initially, but that falls to around 70 per cent by month five, provincial health authorities say. Older individuals tend to see immunity wane even more quickly.
"While most individuals aged 18 to 59 years old will continue to have strong protection more than six months after their first booster dose, expanding second booster dose eligibility will ensure that Ontarians can make an informed decision based on their personal circumstances," the province stated on Wednesday.
"A new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated to be approved by Health Canada this fall, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants. Ontarians are encouraged to speak with their health care provider about whether getting a second booster dose now is right for them."
The province said those at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, including those aged 60 and over, First Nations and Metis individuals and their household members 18 and up, residents of congregate settings like long-term care homes, and those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, should seek out second booster shots immediately.
Those more vulnerable groups have been eligible for second booster doses since April.
As of July 11, 2022, Ontario has administered more than 33 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 93 per cent of Ontarians aged 12 and over having received at least one dose, more than 91 per cent having received a second dose and more than 57 per cent having received a booster, the province reported.
