Ottawa Public Well being says it is working to extend vaccination capability at group clinics, cellular clinics and neighborhood hubs, as Ontario expands eligibility for a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of 8 am, Ottawa residents aged 18 and over are eligible to guide an appointment for a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Second booster doses shall be provided at an interval of 140 days after a person receives their first booster dose.
Ottawa Public Well being is at present working two group clinics – at JH Putman Faculty and the Orleans Ruddy Household YMCA-YWCA. Whereas a brand new group is scheduled to open at Century Public Faculty on July 19, the clinic at JH Putman Faculty will shut on July 30.
“Ottawa Public Well being is growing operations at group clinics, cellular clinics and neighborhood hubs to answer the provincial announcement concerning expanded availability of a fourth dose (second booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 18 and over,” Affiliate Medical Officer of Well being Dr. Trevor Arnason mentioned in an announcement to CTV Information Ottawa.
“Ottawa residents searching for their second booster are inspired to achieve out to native pharmacies utilizing the provincial pharmacy locator to seek out those who present COVID-19 vaccines. Some main care physicians are additionally offering boosters.”
Ottawa’s affiliate medical officer of well being says getting the second booster dose is one thing to think about.
“We definitely are in a surge, it is the BA.5 variant. We’re seeing right here in Ottawa an growing wastewater counts, positivity price, hospitalizations have been going up for a couple of weeks and now we’re seeing extra outbreaks in long- time period care and congregate settings,” Dr. Brent Moloughney informed CTV Information Ottawa on Thursday.
“Actually, these at highest danger; these over 60s, those that are immunocompromised – definitely, extremely suggest that they get it, and for others it is definitely one thing to think about.”
The well being unit is recommending the next high-risk people get their second booster dose as quickly as doable:
- People 18+ who’re reasonably to severely immunocompromised
- People aged 60 and over
- First Nation, Inuit and Métis people and their non-Indigenous family members aged 18 and over
- Residents of a long-term care dwelling, retirement dwelling, or Elder Care Lodge and older adults dwelling in different congregate settings that present assisted-living and well being providers
You possibly can guide an appointment at a group clinic by the Provincial COVID-19 Vaccination Portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Middle at 1-833-943-3900.
Dr. Moloughney is encouraging individuals to get their first booster dose as nicely.
“There’s in all probability a couple of third of the inhabitants of Ottawa who haven’t gotten their preliminary booster, their so-called booster dose, and would strongly suggest they get that.”
Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Well being Dr. Kieran Moore suggests wholesome adults could need to wait till the autumn, when a “bivalent COVID-19 vaccine” could also be accessible.
“Whereas we’re making this feature accessible, it is very important notice that wholesome, at present vaccinated people, proceed to have important, persistent safety in opposition to extreme illness even six months after the final dose,” Dr. Moore mentioned Wednesday.
“Nonetheless, there could also be people with private or medical circumstances in these age teams who could profit from an extra safety of a second booster.”
Persons are urged to talk with their health-care supplier to debate whether or not or to not get a fourth dose.
WIth information from CTV Information Toronto’s Katherine DeClerq
