Eligibility for earlier COVID-19 vaccine 2nd dose now available to more area residents

Province designates Durham Region as a Delta variant of concern hot spot

Whitby, Ontario - Beginning June 21 at 8 a.m., Durham Region residents 18-years and older who received a first dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, will be eligible to reschedule for an earlier second dose appointment at area mass immunization clinics, based on vaccine availability. This change follows the provincial announcement on June 17 which designated Durham Region as a Delta variant of concern hot spot. As of June 17, Durham Region Health Department reported 17 cases of the Delta variant of concern locally.

For residents who received Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, second dose appointments can only be rebooked at a minimum of 28 days after the first dose was administered. Second dose appointments can be rebooked online at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or by contacting the call centre booking line at 1-888-444-5113.

For individuals who received AstraZeneca vaccine, second dose appointments for mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) can be booked eight weeks after receiving their first dose. Second dose appointments can be booked online at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or by contacting the call centre booking line at 1-888-444-5113. Those who received AstraZeneca vaccine can also book an earlier second dose appointment at participating pharmacies or health care providers.

Area residents who received their first dose of vaccine at a local pop-up or mobile clinic in April and May are also eligible for an earlier second dose. The Health Department or Lakeridge Health will contact these individuals by email or text to schedule an earlier appointment. Second dose appointments will be held at the same location where individuals received their first dose.

Vaccination clinics for youth 12 to 17-years old, including mobile and pop-up clinics, will provide second dose appointments eight weeks after the first dose is administered. This youth second dose schedule has been established by the province to ensure students have both doses of vaccine prior to returning to school in September. Youth who do not have a second dose appointment or who have a second dose appointment booked later than eight weeks after their first dose can book online at www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment, or through the call centre booking line at 1-888-444-5113 beginning on June 21. First dose appointments for youth can also be booked online or by contacting the call centre booking line. For more information and updates on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department