Expanded eligibility for COVID-19 second booster doses available for individuals 18-plus

Whitby, Ontario, In line with the recent provincial announcement, Durham Region Health Department is now expanding availability for fourth dose (second booster dose) of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents 18 and older. Eligible residents can now book appointments at community immunization clinics for their second booster dose by visiting durham.ca/vaccineappointment. No walk-ins will be available for second booster doses. Vaccines provided will be Pfizer Comirnaty BioNTech and Moderna Spikevax.

Residents can receive COVID-19 vaccine at several locations throughout Durham Region including at select health care providers, participating pharmacies, and community immunization clinics.

Individuals can receive their second booster dose 140 days (five months) after receiving their first booster dose. However, individuals may choose to receive a second booster dose at a minimum of 84 days (three months) after their first booster dose with informed consent. If you have had a recent COVID-19 infection, it is recommended to wait three months after symptoms started or after testing positive to receive your first or second booster dose.

The following groups are at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19. It is recommended that these groups receive their first and second booster doses as soon as they become eligible:

• Individuals 60 and older.
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members (18 and older).
• Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, or elder care lodges, and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services.
• Individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Evidence is emerging that vaccine effectiveness against infection and COVID-19 disease decreases with time; booster doses provide an added layer of protection against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, particularly for individuals who are at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19,

To book an appointment and for clinic locations and hours, please visit durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Durham Region, visit durham.ca/covidvaccines.

 - 30 -

For more information, please contact the Health Department.