Ontario is promoting the need to still keep up with our COVID boosters.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends it this spring for anyone considered high-risk.
This includes;
- Individuals aged 65 years and older;
- Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors;
- Individuals aged 18 years and older living in a congregate care setting for people with complex medical care needs;
- Pregnant individuals;
- Individuals aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised;
- Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older.
“Staying up to date with vaccinations continues to be our best defence against COVID-19. I’m strongly encouraging everyone, especially those with an increased risk of severe infection, to get all boosters available,” says Dr. Kieran Moore
Individuals 5 years and older who have not received a booster dose since September 1, 2022, remain recommended to receive a booster dose if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Dr. Moore says those not high-risk or received a booster in the last six months could likely wait until the fall.
Appointments can be booked via the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007).
Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating health care providers and participating pharmacies.