Omicron-targeting boosters for ages 12 and older now available at Southwestern Public Health
Eligible residents in Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas advised to seek a COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster and a flu shot to protect against respiratory illness this fall
Over the weekend, Southwestern Public Health received a shipment of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine to target both the Omicron and original COVID-19 variants in people aged 12 and older. The new formulation from Pfizer-BioNTech was approved by Health Canada for use in booster doses for this age group.
Southwestern Public Health will begin administering the Pfizer version of the bivalent booster to ages 12 and older immediately. Appointments are required. Book online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine, or call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
“As a general guide, if it has been six months or longer since your last COVID-19 dose, it is time to get a booster,” says Dr. Ninh Tran, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health. He also notes that some individuals – particularly those who are aged 65 and older, immunocompromised, or have another risk factor for COVID-19 – are recommended to receive their booster at a three-month interval. “Consult your primary care provider for advice in these situations,” Dr. Tran advises.
Individuals must have already received their primary series – meaning, their first and second, and in some individuals their third dose – before being eligible for a booster vaccine. Children under the age of 12 are not yet approved to receive a bivalent booster.
“We are seeing a sharp increase in people being admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 complications, and we are on the cusp of cold and flu season in general. Please give yourself and your family the extra protection that a booster provides. We want to see everyone do all that they can to stay healthy and out of the hospital this respiratory season,” says Dr. Tran.
The COVID-19 bivalent vaccine provides protection against two COVID-19 variants: the original strain, and Omicron. It does not protect against other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza. Only the flu shot can protect against influenza. While most people become eligible for a flu shot starting November 1, some individuals – including children under age 4, and high-risk populations – can get their flu shot now. Where possible, ages 6 months to 5 years should wait at least two weeks between getting a COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine, including a flu shot.
Southwestern Public Health is now accepting flu shot appointments for children aged 6 months to 2 years. Starting November 1, anyone who has a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at the health unit can also request a flu shot be given at the same time. Visit swpublichealth.ca/flu for details.