Ontarians who are immunocompromised will be able to book an appointment for a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Friday.
That’s according to Ontario’s top doctor, Kieran Moore, who made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday.
According to Moore, beginning Jan. 14 at 8 a.m. the provincial vaccine contact centre will begin booking appointments for fourth doses for immunocompromised individuals.
“Given the rapid rate of transmission and the strain on our health-care system, we have been busy providing fourth doses in long-term care homes, retirement homes and elder care lodges and other congregate settings to best protect our most vulnerable citizens,” Moore said.
Moore said the province is “now protecting vulnerable populations further in Ontario.”
He said severely to moderately immunocompromised people have already been asked to receive their third COVID-19 vaccine to complete their primary series.
“But we are now ensuring those who are immunocompromised can receive their fourth dose too,” Moore said.
Moore said anyone who’s received a transplant, or anyone taking immune suppressant medication will be able to book their fourth dose 84 days after their third shot.
The province has outlined a long list of immune suppressant medications.
Moore said the full list is “quite extensive,” and includes medications for common severe illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease and other autoimmune disorders.
According to Moore, 29 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the province to date.
More than 5 million of those have been booster doses, Moore said.
The news comes as the province reported 3,630 people were in hospitals across Ontario with COVID-19 on Thursday.
Of those individuals, 500 were receiving care in an intensive care unit.