Booster shots are now available for people 18 plus in Ontario, but things are off to a bumpy start

All adults in Ontario are now able to book a third COVID-19 shot - but for many it's not happening without a fight.

Vaccine booking portals officially opened to people 18 and older as of 8 a.m. Monday. Although some clinics and pharmacies had offered advance bookings, previously only Ontarians 50 and older could get a third shot.

The Ministry of Health is recommending that Pfizer and Moderna doses be issued, regardless of what vaccine people received for their first two doses. Both companies have said lab tests show their booster doses are effective against the Omicron variant that has cases to spike, prompting new public health measures over the weekend.

It's not the first time Ontarians have done the vaccine booking scramble. In it at least some cases, this time around is proving just as frustrating.

Here's a snapshot of what people were saying this morning as the official booking began.

York Region's booking website advised younger than 50 to visit the provincial booking site or try though a pharmacy or doctor's office. The region's website said it's focusing on getting boosters to the 50 plus population first.

Ottawa was out of spots in 15 minutes.

Others said there are no appointments in the GTA until February.

Meanwhile, thousands of people were waiting in virtual queues to make appointments.

Getting access to a rapid antigen test has been impossible for some, as this user notes.

Overall, many people feel there wasn't enough of a plan behind the process.

Another experiences deja vu, with the vaccine madness reminding them of early 2021.

Ashleigh-Rae Thomas is a reporter for the Star's radio room based in Toronto. Reach Ashleigh-Rae via email: arthomas@thestar.ca