HEARST -- The Ontario government announced on Sept. 12, that with Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s guidance, it will begin offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to all Ontarians aged 18 and over, starting Sept. 26.
The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) shared this announcement with communities within the Northwest Region.
PHU, which is headquartered in Timmins but also holds offices also in Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson, Moosonee, and Smooth Rock Falls, put out its own bulletin on Sept. 12 stating that “Ontario is offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to all Ontarians aged 18 and over, beginning with the most vulnerable populations."
“The bivalent booster provides more targeted protection against the Omicron variants, helping keep Ontarians healthy,” added PHU.
The unit also provided residents in the region with information as to how to book their appointments for the booster dose and that there are participating pharmacies and health care providers who will also offer the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose.
“Eligible individuals can book their appointment through: phu.fyi/covid-vaccine, call 705-360-4819 or book through participating pharmacies & health care providers,” shared PHU.
The Ontario government’s media release shared comments from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, who assured Ontarians that the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose is not only safe and effective but is the best defense against the most recent COVID-19 variants.
“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.”
As of the morning of Sept. 12, 8:00a.m., the bivalent COVID-19 booster appointments were made available for the most vulnerable populations including:
- 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.
The Ontario government media release also indicated that in order to make the distribution of the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose a priority for the populations mentioned above, that new booster appointments for Ontarians aged 18 and over will be paused until Sept. 26. However, they also stated that, “All previously-booked booster appointments for September 12 to 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered.”
PHU indicated in their own media release for the Northwest Region that, “Beginning Sept. 26, all Ontarians 18+ will be eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose.”
The Ontario government provided information as to how appointments can be booked for Ontarians by sharing that, “Appointments can be booked through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900.”
In addition, eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units such as the PHU and those health units that use their own booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating health care providers and participating pharmacies.
Pregnant individuals and health care workers booking from September 12 to 25 need to be aware that they must call the PVCC or book booster dose appointments through participating pharmacies.
Long-term care, retirement home and Elder Care Lodge residents may receive their bivalent booster dose directly through the congregate home where they live.
