Ontario will release its plan for administering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine dose next week, Minister of Health Christine Elliott said Friday.
The information will allow Ontarians to learn when to expect to receive a booster vaccine dose.
Read more: Ontario has administered thousands of 3rd COVID-19 vaccine doses to the immunocompromised
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) said it has provided “interim guidance” to Canada’s provinces and territories on COVID-19 booster doses, which included its strong recommendation that adults living in long-term care or other congregate settings and those who are 80-plus receive a third dose at least six months after their second shot.
The province began giving a third dose to high-risk people in August amid heightened concerns over the fourth wave and the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Read more: Ontario giving 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose to high-risk people. What about other provinces?
Booster shots were given out to those who received transplants, patients with hematological cancers, people who received an anti-CD20 agent and residents in long-term care homes, higher-risk retirement homes and First Nations elder-care lodges.
Get weekly health news
By mid-September, Ontario had administered thousands of third doses.
NACI’s guidelines released on Friday also recommended the following groups to get their next dose:
- Adults between the age of 70 and 79
- Those who got two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of the Janssen vaccine
- Adults in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities
- Adults who are front-line health-care workers in direct contact with patients and who were vaccinated with a short interval between first and second shots
Read more: Ontario government lifts COVID capacity limits for bars, restaurants, gyms beginning Monday
The agency said directives differ between provinces and territories and officials should consider “their own unique circumstances and epidemiology” when making a plan.
Ontario just released its plan to leave Step 3 of its reopening act as COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations decline and the proof of vaccination program is in effect. Capacity limits for bars, restaurants and gyms were lifted, as well as limits for outdoor public events such as parades among other things.
- ‘Empty promises’: Mother alleges Fraser Health failed to pay for doula services
- As Ebola spreads, Canada to require 21-day isolation for those from region
- Squamish Nation master carver creates memorial pole for Lions Gate Hospital
- Spanish government confirms new case of hantavirus linked to cruise ship
As of Friday morning, there are more than 10.9 million people fully immunized with two doses, which is 84.3 per cent of the eligible (12 and older) Ontario population. First dose coverage stands at 88 per cent.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.