Toronto reaches new COVID-19 vaccine milestone with 90% fourth dose coverage in city-run long-term care
More than 90 per cent of long-term care residents in Toronto’s city-run facilities have received a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The new milestone comes just weeks after the province announced that residents in Ontario’s long-term care home, as well as those in retirement homes, elder care lodges and other congregate care settings, could get a fourth shot of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine three months after their third shot.
“Many of these individuals are now likely becoming increasingly more susceptible to COVID-19 infection due to waning immunity from their previous doses,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said at the end of December.
Staff, students, volunteers and caregivers in these settings were also mandated to get their booster shot by Jan. 28.
The City of Toronto, for its part, began vaccinating eligible residents on Jan. 6. On Wednesday, officials said that 90 per cent of eligible residents in the city’s 10 long-term care homes have received their third shot.
Officials also said that it has received 220 High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters from the province and hope to install them at long-term care homes by the end of the week.
“Toronto Public Health reminds residents that the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to spread, creating an urgent need for those eligible to receive a third dose of vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible,” officials said in a news release.
“Any residents who have not yet received their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine are also encouraged to do so as soon as possible.”
Immunocompromised Ontarians can also book appointments for a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine,
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.