Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose booking opens today for Ontarians 18 plus

Many adults across Ontario can book second booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines, starting today.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said Wednesday that adults who had their first booster over five months ago will be able to book a fourth shot — or second booster — starting Thursday. Eligible residents can book a new vaccine appointment through Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination portal at 8 a.m. on July 14.

“We want all Ontarians to have a safe and enjoyable summer,” the top doctor said. “While masking requirements are no longer mandatory in most settings, Ontarians should consider wearing a mask in some indoor, public settings if they are able to.”

Previously, fourth doses were only available to immunocompromised people, those aged 60 and older, and Indigenous people.

Dr. Moore noted that people who don’t have underlying health conditions could choose to wait for the fall when vaccines specifically targeting the Omicron variant may become available. The government is considering a “base strain” vaccine in the fall and an additional strain of an Omicron variant — either the BA.1 or BA.5 subvariant.

“While my call for arms remains the loudest for the most vulnerable in our communities, we’ve made the decision to expand the eligibility for second boosters,” he said.

A new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated to be approved by Health Canada this fall, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants.

Dr. Moore’s press conference follows calls for more details on Ontario’s fourth-dose rollout amid a summer wave of virus infections driven by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

The chief medical officer of health says the province has entered a new wave but under a smaller trajectory, with the peak set to arrive in the next few weeks. Though it’s an estimate, Dr. Moore said that the province is seeing approximately 5,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, noting that the true count is around three-to-four times what PCR testing reveals.

“Though this wave is expected to be less severe, there are actions we can take to protect our loved ones and our friends,” he said.

He says Ontarians should speak with their health-care provider about whether a fourth dose is right for them.

Moore says it is recommended that people wait at least three months after a COVID-19 infection to get a booster shot.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says there are a few community clinics and after-school clinics available for vaccinations appointments. 

• JH Putman School (last day of operation is Saturday July 30), (2051 Bel-Air Drive)

          Tuesday to Thursday: 12:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

          Friday and Saturday: 9:45 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

• Orléans Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA, (265 Centrum Boulevard)

         Tuesday to Thursday: 12:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

         Friday and Saturday: 9:45 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

• Century Public School (opening Tuesday July 19), (8 Redpine Drive)

         Tuesday to Thursday: 12:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.

         Friday and Saturday: 9:45 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

Dr. Robert Cushman, the acting medical officer of health for the Renfrew and County District Health Unit, told The Rob Snow Show with guest host David Smith on Thursday, July 14 that the expansion of fourth dose eligibility comes as no surprise as the province enters a seventh wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We knew it was coming,” he said. “Québec has already done it, and there was a lot of pressure to get this done.”

Dr. Cushman said while the latest news about fourth dose eligibility is positive, there is, however, a major lapse in the third dose uptick, with only half the population of kids between five and 11 who have received two shots in Renfrew County and across Ontario, while the 18 and over age group has only seen 50 per cent of its age group receive a third dose. Only 50 per cent of the 12 and over age group has only received a third dose as well. 

“The real concern is not the fourth shot, which will help,” he added. “What's really important is getting those second and third shots and we need a higher vaccination coverage rate.”

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, told The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, July 14 said it's important for people 40 and under to get their third shot as it gives longer protection from COVID and prevents the spread of the virus if a person gets sick. 

At this time, said Dr. Roumeliotis, two-thirds of the population of 40 and under (66 per cent) have not received a third dose. 

“To talk about a fourth dose with that population is not helpful because they haven't received their third dose yet,” he said. 

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Cushman below:

Listen to the full interview with Dr. Paul Roumeliotis below:

With files from CityNews'  Lucas Casaletto and The Canadian Press