Ontarians Aged 18+ Eligible for Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Dose

Toronto Public Health vaccination clinics will have Bivalent Boosters Available to Vulnerable Populations immediately

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2022 – Today, based on guidance from Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the Ontario government is offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to all Ontarians aged 18 and over, beginning with the most vulnerable populations. The Ontario Ministry of Health issued recommendations for the use of the Moderna Spikevax® Bivalent (50mcg) COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) and Toronto Public Health (TPH) officials say beginning today, at 8 a.m., COVID-19 bivalent booster dose appointments at TPH vaccination clinics are available for:

• Individuals aged 70 and over;
• Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
• Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
• Pregnant individuals aged 18 and over; and
• Health care workers aged 18 and over

Also starting today, individuals aged 18 and older can book appointments for Monday, September 26 at 8 a.m. and onward. All previously booked booster appointments for September 12 to 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered.

On September 1, 2022, Health Canada authorized use of the Moderna Spikevax® Bivalent (50mcg) COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) as a booster dose in adults aged 18 and older. This is the first bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in Canada. Clinical trial results showed that a booster dose of the Moderna Spikevax® bivalent vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. These findings included that the bivalent booster generated a good immune response against the Omicron BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. More information is available on the City’s COVID-19: About the Vaccines webpage.

“The bivalent COVID-19 booster is a safe and effective way for people to better protect themselves against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variants in Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “As vaccine protection decreases over time, I encourage all Ontarians aged five and over to receive the booster dose they are eligible for,” said Dr. Moore.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that individuals who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should be offered a fall COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. NACI also states that the bivalent vaccine may also be offered to adolescents 12 to 17 years of age with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions.

Due to widespread circulation of the Omicron variant, many Torontonians aged 12 years and older may have been previously infected with COVID-19. NACI continues to recommend that COVID-19 booster doses may be offered at an interval of six months after a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the product offered. However, a shorter interval of at least three months may be warranted in the context of heightened epidemiologic risk, as well as operational considerations for the efficient deployment of the vaccine program. More information is available in the NACI recommendation report and on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Eligibility& Doses webpage.

Toronto residents can get vaccinated at City-run immunization clinics, primary care offices and over 525 pharmacies (pharmacies anticipated to start Monday, September 19). A full list of clinic locations and hours is available on the City’s COVID-19: Where to Get Vaccinated webpage. Residents looking to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at a participating pharmacy can use the provincial website to find the nearest location .

All eligible residents are encouraged to get their next dose of vaccine as soon as possible. As with vaccinations for other diseases, people are protected best when their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date. COVID-19 vaccinations have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death, while protecting people, their loved ones and the community.

Quick Facts from Ontario’s Ministry of Health

• The province is preparing to provide free flu shots to Ontarians this fall so they can protect themselves and reduce the number of hospitalizations due to influenza.
• If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines, please contact the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired: 1-866-797-0007), which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and capable of providing assistance in more than 300 languages.
• If you have questions about vaccinating your child, speak with your health care provider or contact the COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service at sickkids.ca/vaccineconsult or 1-888-304-6558 to book a confidential phone appointment with a SickKids’ Registered Nurse or the Scarborough Health Network VaxFacts Clinic at shn.ca/vaxfacts or 416-438-2911, ext. 5738 to speak with a qualified physician.
• For more information about treatment options, contact your primary care provider, visit a clinical assessment centre, or call Health Connect Ontario at 811 or 1-866-797-0007 (toll-free TTY) for more information on treatments, assistance, or eligibility for virtual care options.

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