Ontarians 18 and up can get the Omicron-specific booster shot as of Sept. 26, province says
All Ontarians aged 18 and up will be able to get bivalent COVID-19 booster shots as of Sept. 26, says the province's top doctor.
Dr. Kieran Moore, the chief medical officer of health, made the announcement Monday as the new vaccines, designed to fight the Omicron variant, became available to the most vulnerable people.
As of now, the boosters are only accessible to people 70 and up, residents of long-term care and retirement homes, those in assisted-living congregate settings, Indigenous Ontarians and anyone in their households, immuno-compromised people 12 and up, pregnant adults, and health-care workers.
But as of Sept. 26, everyone 18 and up can get a bivalent shot if they want one.
The bivalent COVID-19 booster is a safe and effective way for people to better protect themselves against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variants in Ontario," said Moore.
As vaccine protection decreases over time, I encourage all Ontarians aged five and over to receive the booster dose they are eligible for."
But because of the bivalent push, all new booster appointments of the previous vaccine will be temporarily halted until Sept. 26
All already-booked booster appointments from today to Sept. 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered," the government said.
Moore said people can get their bivalent booster at the recommended interval of at least six months from their previous dose, regardless of how many boosters they have already received."
Appointments can be made through the vaccination portal or by calling 1-833-943-3900.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones urged Ontarians to get their boosters.
With the start of the respiratory illness season, it is especially important to make sure people stay up to date with their vaccines," said Jones, who is also pushing the flu shot.
COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are the best tool to keep people healthy and out of hospitals, and to ensure Ontario's economy stays open as kids go back to school and as the weather cools and people spend more time indoors."
NDP MPP France Gelinas (Nickel Belt), has criticized the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford for being slower to roll out the bivalent vaccines than Quebec, where they were available last Thursday.'
However, Dr. Luc Boileau, Quebec's public health director, is not recommending the shot for anyone under 30, saying the existing boosters offer adequate protection.
Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie