OPH suggests residents get updated COVID-19 vaccine available this fall

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is recommending residents receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine, an updated dose that will protect against the current variants.

While the updated vaccine is now available for high risk individuals, it will become available to all individuals aged six months and older on Oc. 28, the public health agency said in a news release.

In a statement, OPH noted the updated KP.2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is designed to improve protection against infection and severe outcomes from the virus.

According to Ottawa Public Health, high-risk groups that are currently eligible for the updated vaccine include:

• Adults 65 years of age or older 
• Residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)   
• Individuals who have underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs 
• Pregnant individuals   
• Individuals from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities   
• Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities  

OPH is recommending that individuals six months and older receive the updated Covid-19 vaccine if it has been six months since their last does or confirmed COVID infection.

Individuals who have not been vaccinated in the past can also receive the updated vaccine, it added.

Experts are strongly suggesting those at higher risk of several illness receive the vaccine as soon as possible.

Where to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine in Ottawa?

Pharmacies across the city have received the updated vaccine from the Ministry of Health. Click here for pharmacy vaccine locations.

Additionally, family doctors and regular health care providers may offer the vaccine to patients.

OPH Community Clinics and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs will offer the updated doses beginning on Oct. 15.

This will be available for eligible high-risk and priority populations who face barriers to access the vaccine, including newcomers without OHIP and children under two years old 

Booking an appointment and staying healthy

Individuals can begin booking OPH appointments for the updated COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Oct. 9.

To book an appointment at an OPH Community Clinic, visit the Ontario COVID-19 vaccination portal or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007).

OPH Neighbourhood and Wellness Hubs also offer vaccines on a drop-in basis. OPH is reminding residents of effective ways to help prevent the transmission of respiratory illness including:

• Stay home when sick until you are fever-free (without using fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours or 48 hours for vomiting/diarrhea).  
• Wash your hands (or use hand sanitizer) often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.  
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and workplace.  
• Keep your vaccinations up to date, including getting your annual flu vaccine and your updated COVID-19 vaccine.  
• Avoid visiting people at high-risk of severe illness when you are sick (including people living in long-term care, retirement homes or in hospital).  
• Wear a mask:
  • To protect yourself from viral respiratory illnesses.  
  • To protect others at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.  
  • When you’re recovering from illness.  
• Use local monitoring indicators, updated weekly on our dashboard at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/VirusReport(link is external) to help you assess your level of risk.  

“These simple and effective ways can help protect yourself, your families and our communities against respiratory illness,” it said. “Using the following layers of protection helps keep everyone safe .”