Residents 18 and over in Mississauga, Brampton can get 4th COVID-19 dose

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Published July 13, 2022 at 11:58 am

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The province is opening up eligibility for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose — otherwise known as a second booster dose — to all residents between the ages of 18 and 59.

Second booster doses will be made available beginning Thursday, July 14 for all adults if it has been five months since receiving the previous booster, and at least three months after any COVID-19 infection.

While a second booster has already been made available to older and more vulnerable residents, the province has opened up eligibility in response to Ontario being in a seventh wave which is largely driven by the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.

Roughly 66% of circulating strains are now of the BA.5 variety of COVID, according to chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore.

“It’s causing an increase in positivity of tests, a slight increase in hospitalizations, slight increase of those in the intensive care unit,” said Moore, who indicated that the new wave’s trajectory has been slower compared to previous waves.

Moore says the peak of this wave’s cases is expected in the next two weeks.

He reasserted that the most important defence against the virus is staying up-to-date with vaccinations. Moore says millions of Ontario residents have not received all of their recommended vaccine doses, including 5 million who have not yet received their first booster and 1.6 million more vulnerable residents who have not yet received their second booster.

Moore says young, healthy adults who are not at risk of hospitalization are not absolutely required to get a second booster, and is encouraging residents to consider the second booster based on their own needs and any potential health risks, such as underlying illness.

While the province is not considering reinstating mask mandates or other public health measures at this time, Moore recommended that residents consider wearing a mask when in crowded indoor spaces, especially around around older and more vulnerable residents.

Moore also confirmed today that the province will continue its free rapid antigen test program, with free tests made available at a number of grocery stores, pharmacies, workplaces, and long-term care centres throughout the province.

Ontario residents can book their vaccine appointment through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

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