Expanded eligibility for second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts

As of Thursday, July 14, 2022, all Ontarians aged 18 and over are eligible for a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This expanded eligibility (Ontario.ca) is accompanied by a reminder to those at high risk to get their second booster dose as soon as possible. Individuals at high risk include those aged 60 and over; residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, or Elder Care Lodges and other older adults living in congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services; and those 18 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised or who are First Nation, Inuit or Métis, including their household members.

Second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available to all eligible individuals in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, starting Thursday, July 14, 2022, at 8 a.m. The recommended interval between a first and second booster dose is five months and at least three months minimum, with informed consent. Individuals are recommended to wait at least three months following a COVID-19 infection to receive a booster dose.

With increasing COVID-19 cases and impacts on the health care system, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and following personal protective measures to protect yourself and others around you remains important. This week, the COVID-19 Risk Index level for Sudbury and districts has increased from low to moderate. To date, in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, almost 90% of individuals aged 12 and older have completed their primary series (two doses) and only 57% of those aged 12 and older have received their first booster dose. This means that over 18 000 people aged 12 and older still need to complete their primary series and almost 60 000 are currently eligible for their first booster dose. Public Health is urging anyone that is eligible and has yet to receive a first booster dose to attend a clinic and get vaccinated today to build long-term protection against COVID-19 infection.

While healthy individuals aged 18 to 59 years old are eligible to receive a second booster 5 months/140 days after their first booster, they continue to have strong protection against severe disease more than 6 months after their first booster dose. Individuals with questions about whether the vaccine is right for their own circumstances are encouraged to speak with their health care provider. 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.

Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment

There are appointments and walk-in opportunities available at Public Health clinics and more appointments will be added in the coming weeks. To book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The provincial booking system will only book an appointment for COVID-19 vaccine at recommended intervals, not minimum intervals. If you would like an appointment at the minimum interval, you must call to book. Visit phsd.ca to learn more about current COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and timing of doses.

Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination combined with use of the Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ COVID-19 Risk Index and multiple layers of personal protection are critical to continue to protect your health and the health care system. For more information about COVID-19, please visit phsd.ca or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).