The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) will be offering Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine at its vaccination clinics starting on September 12^th. Bivalent vaccines provide protection against the original strain of COVID-19 as well as the Omicron BA.1 variant. Preliminary study results indicate that the bivalent vaccine will also provide protection against the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

Appointments can be booked online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 starting on September 12^th at 8:00 AM.

Individuals in the following categories will be able to receive their bivalent vaccine starting the week of September 12^th:

• Individuals aged 70 and up
• Healthcare workers aged 18 and up
• Residents in congregate settings such as long-term care homes, retirement homes, elder care lodges, and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services, as well as their essential caregivers
• Moderately to severely immune-compromised individuals aged 12 and up
• Pregnant individuals aged 18 and up
• First Nations and Indigenous populations aged 18 and up, and their partners and household members (including non-Indigenous partners and household members) aged 18 and up

Pregnant individuals and healthcare workers booking from September 12^th to the 25^th cannot book an appointment online. Appointments must be made through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 or through participating pharmacies.

Individuals aged 18 and over will be able to receive their vaccine starting the week of September 26^th. All individuals who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccine series will be eligible to receive the bivalent Omicron booster dose, as long as it has been a minimum of 3 months since they received their last COVID-19 vaccine.

Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Another Tool on the Path to Normalcy

“As fall begins and we enter yet another cold and flu season combined with COVID-19, I’m glad we now have access to this new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “I encourage everyone to get the new booster dose as I believe it will have a much better ability to prevent Omicron infections and prevent severe disease. As COVID-19 becomes one of the normally circulating viruses in the community, this booster will help us continue on our path out of the pandemic phase and into more normalcy.”

Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Available by Appointment Only

At the EOHU’s community clinics, the bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines are currently only available by appointment. However, walk-ins are accepted for those needing a primary COVID-19 vaccine dose or for children aged 6 months to 11 years old. The vaccine may also be available through your doctor or primary healthcare provider, as well as your pharmacy. Please contact them directly for more information or to book an appointment.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.EOHU.ca/vaccines.