Ontario expands eligibility for 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose, but healthy adults can wait until fall
Ontario is opening up eligibility for fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to all adults aged 18 and up this week, however the province’s chief medical officer of health says that healthy adults may want to wait until the fall.
Dr. Kieran Moore made the announcement late Wednesday morning, saying that individuals in this age group can book an appointment using the provincial system as of 8 a.m. on July 14.
While appointments for fourth doses will be available to all adults five months after their third shot, or three months after a COVID-19 infection, Moore said it’s “not absolutely necessary” for individuals who do not have underlying health issues.
Healthy adults may want to wait until the fall when a “bivalent COVID-19 vaccine” may be available, Moore said.
“While we're making this option available, it is important to note that healthy, currently vaccinated individuals, continue to have significant, persistent protection against severe disease even six months after the last dose,” he said.
“However, there may be individuals with personal or medical circumstances in those age groups who may benefit from an additional protection of a second booster.”
Moore added that personal circumstances could also play a part in whether an individual chooses to get the second booster shot. Health-care workers and those working in busy crowded settings should get the dose while those with family members who are at risk may also choose to get a fourth shot.
Anyone with questions about whether or not they should get a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine is being urged to contact their health-care provider.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Moore was unable to provide much clarity on the components of the bivalent vaccine being offered in the fall, saying that depending on which subvariant it targets, it may not be available until November or December.
He also said there would be a “minimal separation” between this dose and the fall dose. Moore said normally they would recommend a five month separation, but it could be as short as three months for those at higher risk.
Prior to this announcement, fourth doses were only available to people aged 60 and older, as well as immunocompromised individuals and Indigenous adults.
Ontario epidemiologists are divided about the value of offering fourth doses in the summer. Just over four million people who got two doses of COVID-19 vaccine have not yet gotten a third, leading some experts to say that boosters should be offered due to waning immunity.
Dr. Susy Hota, medical director for infection prevention and control at the University Health Network, told CTV News Toronto last week that residents shouldn’t wait for other vaccines that may target specific variants or subvariants as it’s more important to reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death related to the disease.
Meanwhile, infectious diseases physician Dr. Dale Kalina told CP24 there isn’t much benefit from the fourth doses unless an individual has a poor immune system.
“The people that really need booster doses, in general, are people whose immune systems aren’t working particularly well. So people that are over the age of 70 or if you are taking medications that supress your immune system.”
Quebec and the United States have both already opened up fourth doses to the general population.
COVID-19 TO PEAK IN NEXT TWO WEEKS: MOORE
The news comes as Ontario enters a seventh wave of the pandemic, with a peak expected in the next in a few weeks, according to Moore.
Ontario has seen a steep increase in COVID-19 within wastewater as well as an increase in percent positivity, hospitalizations and ICU admissions in recent weeks. Moore told reporters the new wave is experiencing a “slower trajectory” compared to previous waves due to vaccination rates and the availability of new treatments.
Moore added that there could be roughly 5,000 cases of COVID-19 within the community as of Wednesday. Despite this fact, he said Ontario does not have any plans to reinstate public health measures lifted earlier this year, although he does continue to recommend wearing a mask indoors in crowded settings.
Officials have also said they will continue to provide free rapid antigen tests to the general public at grocery stores and pharmacies until Dec. 31.
No changes have been made regarding access to PCR tests.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
BREAKING Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.