COVID-19 Vaccination Update

July 23, 2022

Starting Thursday, July 28, as per guidance from the Ontario government, children aged six months to under five years will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents and caregivers will be able to book paediatric vaccines through public health unit clinics, as well as participating paediatricians, primary care providers and pharmacies. Immunocompromised youth aged 12 to 17 will also be eligible for a fifth dose as long as they received their previous dose more than 180 days ago. In addition, individuals over the age of 18 are now able to receive their second booster (4th dose) of the COVID-19 vaccination. 

COVID-19 vaccinations are still available for those looking to receive their first, second, first booster (third dose) or second booster (fourth dose). All individuals aged five and over are eligible to book an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated and staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities from severe outcomes from COVID-19 and its variants.

Read below to learn more about dose eligibility, as well as information on where you can receive your shot.

1st & 2nd Doses

For most individuals, two doses of Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax are needed to complete a primary series.

It is recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) that you wait eight weeks after your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before getting your second dose, as evidence suggests a longer interval between doses results in a stronger immune response and higher vaccine effectiveness. This interval may be associated with a lower risk of myocarditis and/or pericarditis.

Vaccines available to adults (ages 18 and over)

• Pfizer: recommended for individuals ages 12 to 29
• Moderna
• Novavax: Upon request, or if you have an allergy or contraindication to mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna), you can get Novavax. You must request this vaccine through your public health unit, health care provider or local participating pharmacy.
• Janssen: If you have an allergy or contraindication to all the authorized vaccines listed above (Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax), you can get Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). You must request this vaccine through your public health unit, health care provider or local participating pharmacy. Only one dose is required, with a booster shot recommended after three months or 84 days.

Vaccines available to youth (ages 12 to 17)

• Pfizer: recommended
• Moderna: informed consent should include awareness of the possible elevated risk of myocarditis/pericarditis compared to Pfizer

Vaccines available to children (ages five to 11)

• Pfizer: recommended
• Moderna (ages six to 11): informed consent should include awareness of the possible elevated risk of myocarditis/pericarditis compared to Pfizer

Looking to get yourself or a loved one a first or second dose? To book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a clinic near you, use the provincial booking system online. If you need help booking an appointment, please call the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.

First booster (third dose)

A first booster (third dose) will help protect you from more severe outcomes from COVID-19 and its variants. All Ontarians aged 12 and over are strongly encouraged to get their booster dose as soon as possible to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Adults (ages 18 and over)

If you are 18 and over, you can schedule your first booster appointment at an interval of three months (84 days) after your second dose.

Youth (ages 12 to 17)

If you are aged 12 to 17, you can schedule your first booster (Pfizer recommended) at an interval of six months (168 days) after a second dose.

Children (ages five to 11)

A booster dose is not currently recommended for children aged five to 11.

Second booster (fourth dose)

You are recommended to receive a second booster five months or 140 days after your first booster (or a minimum of three months or 84 days with informed consent) if you are:

• an individual aged 60 and over
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals or a non-Indigenous household member aged 18 and over
• a resident of a long-term care home, retirement home, or Elder Care Lodge or an older adult living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services
• an individual who is moderately to severely immunocompromised

In addition, individuals aged 18 to 59 may choose to get a second booster five months or 140 days after their first booster (or a minimum of three months or 84 days with informed consent).

A new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is anticipated to be approved by Health Canada this fall, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants.

Learn where you can book or get a second booster.

COVID-19 Treatment: Paxlovid Pill

East Toronto Health Partners’ (ETHP) COVID-19 Outreach Centres in Flemingdon Park, Taylor-Massey and Thorncliffe Park now offers walk-in prescriptions for COVID-19 treatments, including the Paxlovid pill. Our COVID-19 Outreach Centres also offer mental health counselling and other services that support COVID-19 recovery and help our priority communities better prepare for additional waves of the virus. Walk-in COVID-19 PCR tests, take-home PCR test kits and vaccines also continue to be available at these sites.

Local appointments can be booked in advance at www.tehn.ca/covid19/covid-19-vaccinecineAppointment. You can also use the provincial booking system online or at 1-833-943-3900.

Pop-Up Clinics in Beaches-East York

Check back here to see when the next pop-up clinic is taking place in BEY!