Toronto 
All Ontario residents aged 18 and above can now book a bivalent booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna which is effective against variants like Omicron variant BA.1 and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain was approved by Health Canada on Sept. 1st. It was also found to generate a good immune response against the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, and is expected to extend the durability of protection.
“The bivalent COVID-19 booster is a safe and effective way for people to better protect themselves against the most recently circulating COVID-19 variants in Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “As vaccine protection decreases over time, I encourage all Ontarians aged five and over to receive the booster dose they are eligible for.”
The booster dose vaccination will start with the most vulnerable populations. The general public 18 years of age and older who do not belong to a priority population can start booking their appointments today for available dates starting September 26th.
As per the news release, all previously-booked booster appointments for September 12 to 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered.
Starting today at 8:00 a.m., bivalent COVID-19 booster appointments will be available to and can be booked for the most vulnerable populations, including:
- individuals aged 70 and over;
- residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services;
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over;
- moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over;
pregnant individuals aged 18 and over; and - health care workers aged 18 and over.
How to Book Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Dose Appointment:
Who: Residents aged 18 and above can receive the bivalent booster at the recommended interval of at least six months from their previous dose, regardless of how many boosters they have already received.
When: Starting on Monday, September 12 at 8:00 a.m.
How:
- Online through COVID-19 vaccination portal
- Calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900
- Dirrectly through public health units that use their own booking systems
- Through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies, and participating primary care settings.
- Pregnant individuals and health care workers booking from September 12 to 25 must call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900 or book booster dose appointments through participating pharmacies.
