Third COVID-19 vaccine doses: Who is eligible in Ontario and how can they get one?
As Ontario edges closer to its goal of having 90 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been administering third doses to select populations.
The Ministry is underlining that two doses represent a complete vaccine series and provide strong protection against the virus, including the Delta variant, but are also advising that “for some populations, a third dose may be required as two doses may not provide sufficient protection.”
As of Thursday, Ontario residents over the age of 50 can book an appointment to get their third dose.
Ontarians must wait at least six months after they get their second dose to get the booster.
According to the most recent data, just under 80 per cent of eligible Ontarians have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The CEO of Ontario's Pharmacists Association said Thursday morning that he would recommend opening up eligibility to all age groups, while still adhering to the recommended six-month timeline.
"That will allow us to do this in a staggered fashion, manage the demand and supply and make sure everybody has optimal immunity and efficacy of the vaccines against the variants because the immunity does wane after six months. We know that from the current data and that's why boosters are going to be so important."
However, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said the province wants to ensure it has the capacity to offer booster shots along with vaccinated children prior to removing all age restrictions.
"I really want the over 70s in particular to come forward as we know they're most at risk of fading immunity and a risk for transmission. In these next 10 days you will be well protected for the holiday season and children will get the maximum benefit of being immunized in the next 10 days for the holiday season as well." Moore said.
The government has said that booster shots would be available gradually to the general public based on age and risk factors starting in early 2022.
Officials say that more than 696,000 third doses have been administered in Ontario so far.
WHO CAN GET A THIRD DOSE IN ONTARIO?
Residents over the age of 50
As announced on Thursday, individuals in this age group will be able to book their appointments starting at 8 a.m. on Dec. 13.
The moderate-to-severely immunocompromised population
According to the Ministry of Health, populations that have demonstrated a suboptimal immune response to a complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series due to their underlying condition are eligible to receive a third dose of the vaccine.
This includes:
- Individuals receiving active treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies.
- Recipients of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy 1Active treatment includes patients who have completed treat
- Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy).
- Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency.
- Individuals with stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
- Individuals receiving active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies, high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.
- Individuals receiving dialysis, as long as it’s been at least 56 days since their second shot.
A full list of immunosuppressant medications that render patients eligible for third doses provided by the Ministry can be found here.
Seniors in congregate settings
This includes residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care lodges, and elderly living in other congregate settings, such as assisted-living facilities, chronic care hospitals and “naturally occurring” congregate retirement settings/congregate seniors apartment buildings, the Ministry said.
Because this subgroup was prioritized when vaccines were first authorized and many completed their vaccination series early, the Ministry states that there has been “more time for waning [efficacy.]”
“Vaccines have been effective against COVID-19 in long-term care homes in the 3-4 months after vaccination, but outbreaks are still occurring,” the Ministry said. “In these outbreaks, fully vaccinated residents are being infected, and in some instances leading to severe illness and death.”
“Offering a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to this population is intended to help increase protection and prevent outbreaks among this vulnerable population.”
WHO CANNOT RECEIVE A THIRD DOSE IN ONTARIO?
Of the eligible populations, there are a few exceptions.
According to the Ministry, individuals who have experienced myocarditis or pericarditis following any dose of an mRNA vaccine should defer receiving a third mRNA dose until more information is available.
Individuals who received AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 for their first or second dose will still be eligible to receive a third dose, but it is recommended by the Ministry that the third dose be an mRNA vaccine, unless advised otherwise by a medical professional.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR THIRD DOSE APPOINTMENT IN ONTARIO?
If eligible, residents can obtain their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine through largely the same avenues that they received their first or second — through the provincial booking system or call centre, at a pharmacy, hospital or primary care provider.
“If you are eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please book your appointment as soon as you can to provide yourself with an extra layer of protection,” Moore said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.