All adults in Ontario who received a mRNA vaccine will become eligible to book a second shot next week
Ontario is allowing anyone aged 18 and up who received a first dose of a mRNA vaccine to book their second dose starting next week.
As of 8 a.m. on June 28, all adults who received a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna will become eligible to book their shot ahead of schedule using the provincial system.
According to the province, this will accelerate second dose eligibility for about 1.5 million people in Ontario.
For those who received their first dose this month, there is still a 21-day minimum interval between Pfizer doses and a 28-day minimum interval for Moderna.
“Ontario’s vaccine rollout continues to pick up speed, allowing us to provide more second doses ahead of schedule while supporting our communities most at risk,” Health Minister Christine Elliott said in a statement.
“All vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and I encourage everyone to book your second dose appointment as soon as possible.”
Individuals who received a first dose of AstraZeneca must still wait the eight-week interval before getting a second shot of either the same vaccine or a mRNA option.
The province is also allowing youth between the ages of 12 and 17 in one of Ontario’s 10 Delta variant hot spots to book their second dose starting 8 a.m. on June 26.
The hot spots include the Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Porcupine, Simcoe-Muskoka, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph and York public health units
“To support a safe return to school in September, the province will be looking to accelerate youth second dose bookings following individuals aged 18 and over,” the province said in a news release issued Friday.
As of Wednesday, anyone in a Delta variant hot spots who received their first dose on or before May 30 became eligible for a second dose.
The province says that 230,000 additional doses were provided to Delta hot spots this week to help accelerate second shots in the regions.
In the province's original vaccine rollout, individuals who received their shot after May 30 weren't scheduled to get their second dose until August.
According to officials, more than 76 per cent of Ontario adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and more than 30 per cent have received two shots.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.