Individuals aged 5-11 years of age now eligible for first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine

All Ontarians aged 5 to 11 are eligible for a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and caregivers are now able able to book appointments for a paediatric booster dose through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling 705.522.9200 (toll-free: 1.866.522.9200). Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through participating health care providers and participating pharmacies.

A first booster dose is recommended based on ongoing infection due to waning immunity, the ongoing risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the societal disruptions that results from transmission of infections, and the adverse impacts on health system capacity from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The fall season is upon us and that means more reasons for spending time together with others indoors. Whether you are at school or at work, it is important that everyone continue to practise those important and effective public health measures when going about their daily activities,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe. “This includes staying current with your vaccinations – including getting a booster when you are eligible – and staying home when ill. With COVID-19 still circulating in our community, it is important that we all do our part to limit its spread.”

Children 5-11 years of age with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe outcomes and are recommended to receive a booster dose. This may include children who are medically fragile and/or have medical complexities, have more than one comorbidity, or have immunocompromising conditions. Examples of conditions that increase risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19,can be found at COVID-19: Who is at risk of more severe disease or outcomes (Government of Canada)

Individuals 5 to 17 years of age are recommended to receive a first booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months (168 days) after completion of their primary series. With informed consent, the first dose booster can be received at a minimum interval of 3 months (84 days) after completion of their primary series.

The eligibility for a second booster for 5-11 year olds (Ontario.ca) is also accompanied by changes to provincial public health guidance concerning the management and mitigation of COVID-19. These include the following changes:

• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for 5 days. Instead, individuals are asked to stay home when sick and until they have no fever, and their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastro-intestinal symptoms). After staying home for this period, and for 10 days from when symptoms started or positive test date (whichever is earliest), they are asked to wear a mask when out in public and avoid vulnerable individuals and settings.
• Individuals who test positive but are asymptomatic are no longer required to isolate for 5 days. Instead, for 10 days following their positive test date, they are asked to wear a mask and avoid vulnerable individuals and settings. If symptoms develop, individuals are asked to stay home when sick as described above.
• Regardless of their vaccination status, individuals who are close contacts, (including household contacts), are no longer required to quarantine. They are encouraged to wear a mask for 10 days from last exposure and avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals and settings. Individuals are asked to stay home when sick as described above should symptoms develop.
• Immunocompromised individuals are still recommended to isolate for 10 days from symptom-onset or positive test date, if a test is done.

Please note that additional requirements may apply to residents and staff of vulnerable settings such as long-term care homes, retirement homes and other congregate living settings. Please refer to sector-specific guidance and Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario (v.15).

Second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available to all eligible individuals 18 years and older in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. 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.

As we move into the fall, 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 remains 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 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.

Additionally, Health Canada has now formally approved Moderna’s new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. It is approved for use in adults 18 and older, and is the first COVID-19 vaccine available in Canada that targets Omicron in addition to the original strain of the coronavirus.

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).