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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.