Starting Monday, December 20, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over will be eligible to schedule their booster dose appointment through the Ontario’s booking portal, by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, through Indigenous led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies and primary care settings.
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Appointments will be booked three months (84 days) after a second dose as the province urgently expands booster eligibility to millions more individuals. Additionally, pharmacies and other channels may provide boosters for 18 and over at the three month interval starting Friday, December 17, 2021 for walk ins.
In addition, starting December 15, individuals aged 50 and over as well as all those currently eligible who have already booked their appointment at an interval of six months (168 days) can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre to re book for an earlier date at the three-month interval and can change their appointment through Ontario’s booking portal starting on Monday, December 20.
“As we continue to learn more about the Omicron variant, we need all hands on deck to help limit transmission and protect our hospital capacity,†said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
“A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine offers additional protection against the Omicron variant, and I urge everyone to get their booster dose as soon as you can. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the vaccine, now is the time.â€
Also, starting December 15, up to two million rapid tests will be provided free of charge at pop-up testing sites in high traffic settings such as malls, retail settings, holiday markets, public libraries and transit hubs.
Most sites will distribute free take home rapid antigen test kits, subject to supply, and some will offer asymptomatic rapid antigen screening on-site. The government will also make take-home rapid tests available at select LCBO stores, starting with the busiest stores this week and with more stores being added in the coming days. ■