UPDATE APRIL 11, 2023
• The Ministry of Health has released its latest guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Consistent with NACI’s most recent recommendations and to further protect against COVID-19, the following high-risk groups are recommended to receive a spring COVID-19 booster if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection:
o Individuals aged 65 years and older;
o Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors;
o Individuals aged 18 years and older living in a congregate care setting for people with complex medical care needs;
o Pregnant individuals;
o Individuals aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
o Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older.
• Booster doses are no longer recommended at intervals less than six months since the last COVID-19 vaccine dose or a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
• For those outside of the high risk groups (listed above):
o Individuals aged five and older who have completed a primary series who have not yet received a booster dose on or after September 1, 2022 remain recommended to receive a booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
o There is currently no evidence that substantiates the need for an additional dose at this time if a booster was already received on or after September 1, 2022.
o Recommendations for future COVID-19 vaccine doses will be available closer to fall 2023.
Updates (November 7, 2022)
Keep up to date with your vaccination schedule – particularly if you are at risk of severe complications from infection. Booster doses are available for those for those 5 years+ who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time for those over 5 years of age, where available.
- Book your booster dose today! Everyone 12+ can now book an appointment to get the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose.
- The bivalent vaccine targets the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant, which is currently the dominant variant in circulation in Ontario. Bivalent COVID-19 booster doses help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination.
- The Moderna Spikevax bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is currently available across Ontario for individuals 18+. The Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty bivalent COVID-19 vaccine will be available at Halton region COVID-19 community vaccination clinics for individuals 12+ starting Thursday, October 20.
- You must complete your primary series of COVID-19 vaccine to get a bivalent booster dose. Get your booster dose three to six months after completing your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine (including monovalent boosters) or having a COVID-19 infection.
- Use our online calculator to easily find out when you are recommended to get your next dose. Appointments continue to be added so please check back regularly.
VISIT HALTON.CA FOR Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
WHEN SHOULD I GET A COVID-19 BOOSTER?? https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/tools-resources/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccines/when-you-should-get-a-booster-dose-flowchart.pdf
FOR questions about COVID vaccination in children/pregnancy: The Sick Kids vaccine consult line is available to parents, children, youth, and those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive.THE SICK KIDS COVID-19 VACCINE CONSULT SERVICE https://www.sickkids.ca/en/care-services/support-services/covid-19-vaccine-consult/