COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Stocks for Over 50s Begin Dec. 13 in Guelph: Public Health – Guelph | The Canadian News

The Guelph Public Health Unit says residents 50 and older can begin booking appointments for a third COVID-19 vaccine beginning Dec. 13.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health uses its own reservation system and a spokesperson said its registration date for this group is in line with the provincial system.

To book an appointment for a booster shot, eligible individuals must have received their second dose of the vaccine at least six months ago.

“If you are eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please schedule your appointment as soon as possible for an extra layer of protection,” said Ontario Medical Director of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

Provincial officials also said it will expand eligibility again in January for booster doses based on age and risk with an interval of six to eight months from the second dose.

The third doses were already available in late summer for those high-risk populations such as transplant recipients, patients with hematologic cancers undergoing active treatment, recipients of an anti-CD20 agent, residents of long-term care homes and Retiree homes, First Nations. elderly and elderly care lodges in congregated settings.

In early November, the third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were further expanded for people age 70 and older, those who had previously received two doses of AstraZeneca, and healthcare workers, among others.

In November, more than 11,000 people received a booster shot in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph.

As of Thursday, 81 percent of eligible residents over the age of five considered themselves fully vaccinated, while 84 percent had received a dose of the vaccine.

Nearly 500,000 doses have been administered since the launch of the vaccine began in the region in January 2021.