Individuals 30+ will receive Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccine beginning December 29

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region Health Department will administer Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for first, second and third doses to individuals 30 and older beginning Dec. 29, until additional supply of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is secured.

On Dec. 21, the province advised the Health Department of a limited supply of Pfizer vaccine across Canada. Pfizer is recommended for individuals 12 to 17-years old for first and second doses and for individuals 18 to 29-years old for first, second and third doses. This recommendation is due to lower reported rates of myocarditis/pericarditis following vaccination with Pfizer as compared to Moderna in this age group. To ensure there is sufficient supply of Pfizer for individuals 12 to 29-years old, the Health Department is preserving its current supply of Pfizer vaccine for this population. Individuals 18 to 29-years old may receive Moderna vaccine upon request, if they provide informed consent. There continues to be enough supply of the paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five to 11-years old.

Residents are encouraged to get their third dose as an important protection measure against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. Either Moderna or Pfizer vaccine may be administered as a third dose, regardless of which vaccine individuals received in their primary series. Mixing COVID-19 vaccines is safe, effective and enables residents to benefit from the protection of a booster dose. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants and residents are advised to get the vaccine that is available to them first.

Durham Region residents can receive their third dose at participating pharmacies, health care providers administering COVID-19 vaccine and at Durham Region community immunization clinics. The Health Department continues to add appointments as additional sites and staffing resources are secured. For a list of clinics, hours of operation or to book an appointment, visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. Eligible residents can also visit www.ontario.ca/page/go-vaxx-bus-schedule for information about provincial GO-VAXX mobile clinics.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.