There is good news for individuals 18 years and older – a booster COVID-19 vaccine is available for select high-risk individuals.
This report from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health:
Further to Monday’s announcement that the “bivalent” COVID-19 vaccine, is now available to select high-risk individuals, unanticipated availability is enabling Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) to offer the bivalent vaccine to eligible individuals booked at COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Belleville this week.
As residents and workers at identified highest-risk facilities will continue to be prioritized for future shipments of vaccine, limited appointments are available for the bivalent vaccine. It is possible that future HPEPH clinics may be required to revert to offering monovalent vaccines (the same mRNA vaccines given as the primary series) due to limited supply, even to those eligible for bivalent. Until a steady supply of bivalent vaccine becomes available, please continue to check the HPEPH website for availability information at upcoming clinics. HPEPH thanks all residents for their patience and cooperation as we work to deliver the bivalent vaccine to our most vulnerable residents as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Who is currently eligible for the bivalent vaccine?
At the current time, the following groups are eligible for the bivalent vaccine:
- individuals aged 70 and over;
- residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
- moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
- pregnant individuals aged 18 and over*; and
- health care workers aged 18 and over*.
Eligible individuals can receive the bivalent booster at the recommended interval of at least six months from their previous dose or a previous COVID-19 infection, regardless of how many boosters they have already received.
*These priority groups must call theProvincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) directly to book their appointment, at 1-833-943-3900.
Book an appointment
To prioritize distribution to these populations, new booster appointments for Ontarians aged 18 and over who do not belong to an eligible group will be paused until September 26. All individuals who are 18 and older will become eligible for the bivalent vaccine on September 26.
Individuals who are currently eligible for the bivalent vaccine can book an appointment at HPEPH vaccine clinics by visiting hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking**.
**Individuals who are pregnant and aged 18 and over*; and individuals who are health care workers aged 18 and over must call the PVCC directly to book an appointment, at 1-833-943-3900.
What is a bivalent vaccine?
The bivalent vaccine includes messenger RNA (mRNA) components of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus from 2019 and the Omicron (BA.1) variant. It is authorized for use as a booster dose in individuals 18 years of age or older.
Clinical trials showed that a booster dose of the bivalent Moderna Spikevax vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron (BA.1) and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. It was also found to generate a good immune response against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants and is expected to extend the durability of protection.
Vaccination continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against COVID-19. Evidence indicates that the vaccines used in Canada are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Keeping COVID-19 vaccinations up to date, including getting booster doses as recommended, will help protect you against serious illness and other complications of COVID-19 infection.
