Toronto Public Health begins administering COVID-19 bivalent booster to eligible Toronto residents aged 18 and older

Today, Toronto Public Health will start to administer the COVID-19 bivalent booster at its immunization clinics to all eligible residents aged 18 and older. Yesterday, the Ontario government reminded individuals to get their bivalent booster, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants. More information is available in the Government of Ontario’s news release: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002315/ontarians-18-eligible-for-bivalent-booster-starting-tomorrow.

Appointments are strongly encouraged at all Toronto Public Health COVID-19 immunization clinics. Walk-in appointments are available based on clinic capacity. Appointments can be booked online (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) or by calling the Provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).

COVID-19 vaccines are also available at participating primary care offices, hospital immunization clinics and pharmacies. A full list of clinic locations and hours can be found on the City of Toronto’s COVID-19: Where to Get Vaccinated webpage: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-to-get-vaccinated/.

Pharmacies offering COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the provincial webpage: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

On September 1, Health Canada authorized use of the Moderna Spikevax® Bivalent (50 mcg) COVID-19 vaccine (bivalent) as a booster dose in adults aged 18 and older. This is the first bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in Canada. Clinical trial results showed that a booster dose of the Moderna Spikevax® bivalent vaccine triggers a strong immune response against both Omicron and the original SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. These findings included that the bivalent booster generated a good immune response against the Omicron BA.1, BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. More information is available on the City’s COVID-19: About the Vaccines webpage. www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-about-the-vaccines/?accordion=mrna-vaccines.

Since September 12, the bivalent booster has been offered to those eligible, including residents aged 70 and older and people who are pregnant, at all Toronto COVID-19 immunization clinics.

Eligible residents are encouraged to get their first and second doses, as well as booster COVID-19 doses as soon as possible. A fall booster dose is recommended for all persons aged 18 and older regardless of previous doses received. COVID-19 activity is expected to increase this fall and winter and the bivalent vaccine may better protect against Omicron variants and will provide additional protection. COVID-19 vaccinations have been scientifically proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death, while protecting people, their loved ones and the community.

SOURCE City of Toronto