Hamilton expands COVID-19 booster doses to more groups

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Published November 3, 2021 at 5:50 pm

The City of Hamilton has announced who can start sign up for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 3), the city issued a statement about its policy, which is based on guidance from the Ontario government and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Anyone in the following groups is eligible to book an appointment to receive a booster, if at least six months have passed since their last dose:

  • Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
  • Healthcare workers, and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers), if they are at least 18 years of age
  • Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine)
  • First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members ages 18 and over.

Medical evidence shows that the above groups have gradual waning immunity six months after receiving their second dose and a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Hamilton Health Sciences’ West End Clinic will temporarily host a Healthcare Worker Vaccine Clinic beginning Monday (Nov. 8). The Hamilton Health Sciences COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the West End Clinic located at 690 Main St. W. will pause services in order to pivot to meet the needs of healthcare community.

Appointment necessary

Booster doses are available in Hamilton by appointment only. An appointment can be booked at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. Appointments may be booked at any of the following clinics:

  • Any Hamilton Public Health Services fixed-site vaccine clinic
  • Hamilton Public Health Services’ mobile vaccine clinics
  • Select primary care led vaccine clinics
  • Participating pharmacies.

Healthcare workers are encouraged to access the specialized healthcare worker vaccine clinic, contact their occupational health department in their organization or visit a participating pharmacy to access a booster dose. Please check to see if you can book an appointment at your local pharmacy online.

While the West End Clinic is being used for booster shots, COVID-19 testing continues will be held at the St. Joe’s Mountain COVID-19 Testing Centre at Mohawk College. That can be accessed by appointment only.

Hamilton Public Health says 81.5 per cent of  the city’s of vaccine-eligible population has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and 85.3 per cent have received at least one dose.

Ninety per cent coverage is considered the threshold for attaining herd immunity.

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