What London residents need to know about getting the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose
Starting Monday, Sept. 26 Ontarians aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose.
Booster doses should be given at an interval of six months between completion of a primary series and a first booster dose or between booster doses, according to the Middlesex London Health Unit.
“This is the one that we feel is important to get because this is the one that's been circulating the most in the community,” said Mary Lou Albanese, the Middlesex London health unit’s director of environmental health and infectious disease.
Albanese said as we head into the fall and winter months the health unit is encouraging people to get vaccinated as there are few COVID-19 health measures in place in the province.
“In the coming months, we are going to see an uptick in the disease in the community. And if it's been three-six months since your last dose your immunity has waned which means it’s gone down and you're more apt to pick up respiratory illness.”
Vishal Mehta, a pharmacist at Yurek pharmacy in London told CTV News that they have seen less of a demand for people looking to get their booster doses.
However, people have begun to have more questions about this particular vaccine, Mehta said.
“The bivalent vaccine that we’re offering is showing to be more effective against the omicron which is the BA.1 and the BA.4,BA. 5 variant and continues to be more effective against the original variants as well,” said Mehta.
As of Friday, bivalent COVID-19 booster dose appointments are still available to “highest risk populations” including:
- Individuals aged 70 and over
- Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, 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.
The bivalent vaccine is currently available at the Agriplex Mass Vaccination Clinic until Thursday, Sept. 29. The bivalent vaccine is available at all MLHU clinic sites including the Health Unit’s Mass Vaccination Clinic at the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges and its 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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.