New vaccine available as COVID-19 cases expected to surge
The new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine targeting both the original strain of the virus and the Omicron variant became available Monday for vulnerable Ontarians. It will be available for all adults later this month.
St. Thomas, Ont. delivery driver John Rey Villanueva says he’s had three COVID-19 vaccine doses so far — and he’s ready for the next.
“I’m working now in a factory and sometimes I have Skip the Dishes part-time, so I’m interacting with other people, so it’s better to be vaccinated,” he says.
The new Moderna bivalent booster shot is an adapted version of the original Moderna mRNA vaccine.
Those now eligible include:
- 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
- Health care workers aged 18 and over
All adults, 18 and older, will be eligible Sept. 26, but can begin scheduling appointments immediately.
Laura Anguish, program manager, COVID-19 response for Southwestern Public Health, says many people have been waiting for this particular vaccine.
“As the COVID virus has changed and morphed over time, so does the vaccine, similar to our flu influenza vaccine that needs to change as time goes on, as does this one,” she says.
But not everyone is in a rush to get the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine.
St. Thomas senior Paul Bartley says he’s had COVID twice already, and has not been vaccinated at all.
“No, I’m not taking that one either,” he says of the new vaccine. “Too many people I know have gotten sick, so…I mean it’s just not very trusting. Anything that’s been made up all of a sudden that’s a cure, then the next one isn’t, then the next one isn’t.”
Middlesex-London Medical Officer of Health (MLHU) Dr. Alex Summers stresses that with fall coming, it’s important not to get complacent.
“People continue to get sick with COVID and we continue to see outbreaks in long-term care homes and retirement homes,” says Summers. “Fortunately the severity has been blunted because so many people are vaccinated. But COVID is still here. And we will see surges of COVID activity this fall as people start to congregate in indoor settings.”
In Middlesex-London, walk-ins are still welcome for first and second doses, but the new bivalent dose is by appointment only.
For Southwestern Public Health, all vaccine clinics are by appointment only as of Monday.
It’s recommended that people wait six months between doses, but three months is the minimum.
Those who are eligible can receive booster doses of the bivalent vaccine at the health unit’s Western Fair Agriplex and Caradoc Community Centre mass vaccination clinics. The bivalent vaccine is also available at the MLHU's community COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Appointments are required to receive a dose of bivalent vaccine at these locations, and can be booked online or by calling 226-289-3560.
— With files from CTV News London's Kristylee Varley
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.