More Ontarians now eligible for earlier 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Posted June 14, 2021 5:57 am.
Last Updated June 14, 2021 3:32 pm.
More Ontarians will be able to book an accelerated second dose of COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday morning.
The expanded eligibility includes residents in Delta variant hot spots and a shorter interval for first dose AstraZeneca recipients.
People who live in regions where the Delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading and who received their first shot on or before May 9 can make an appointment beginning at 8 a.m.
The strategy is focused on Toronto, Peel, Halton, Porcupine, Waterloo, York and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph.
Residents will be able to book through the province’s online portal, through their respective public health units’ booking websites, or by using select pharmacies.
For those not living in any of the aforementioned regions that received their first shot on or before May 9, the province says you’ll be able to book your second appointment starting the week of July 12 through July 19.
Anyone that received their first shot from March 8 to April 18 has been able to book second dose appointments as of June 7.
The province has been able to move forward with accelerated second doses due to an increase in vaccine supply.
The Ford government has said they will look to further accelerate things based on the availability of vaccines.
RELATED:
-
Canada to receive 9.5M vaccine doses this week thanks to influx of Moderna shots
-
680 NEWS Shot Spotter – Pop-up clinics in the GTA
Ontario shortens AstraZeneca 2nd dose interval
The Ontario government is allowing individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to get their second dose in eight weeks rather than 12 weeks.
Those who got AstraZeneca as a first dose can will have the option of getting a second dose of the same vaccine or an mRNA vaccine, either Pfizer or Moderna.
With informed consent and recognizing that 12 weeks will ultimately provide more protection, the province is letting individuals choose when to receive their second dose between eight and 12 weeks.
The province says AstraZeneca recipients will be eligible to book their second shots as of Monday at 8 a.m., noting those who want a second dose of the same vaccine must revisit the place where they received the first one. Residents who wish to switch to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines as a second shot may book through the provincial portal.
With files from the Canadian Press
