COVID-19 Fourth Dose Eligibility Expanded to Additional Residents
Written by Comms Team, April 6, 2022
Appointments Must Be Booked to Receive Doses at PPH Vaccination Clinics
The provincial government announced on April 6, 2022 that they will be expanding eligibility for COVID-19 fourth doses to adults 60 years of age or older and First Nation, Inuit, and Metis Adults 18 years of age or older. Eligibility will be based on birth year.
With this eligibility expansion, the following residents can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for a date that is 140 days (five months) after a third dose (booster dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine was received:
- Residents 60 years of age or older
- First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members
Please be advised, residents who book an appointment online with the provincial vaccine booking system will need to wait at least 140 days (five months) after their third dose to be back to book an appointment. Residents who call the provincial vaccine booking call centre can book an appointment three months after their third dose.
As this expanded eligibility allows for an additional 35,000 eligible residents to receive another dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Peterborough Public Health is asking all residents to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment for any dose they receive starting Friday, April 8. “To better serve our residents, Peterborough Public Health will be temporarily suspending walk-in availability at COVID-19 vaccine clinics and is asking everyone to book an appointment,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medial Officer of Health. “We anticipate a large demand for fourth doses over the next few weeks and want to make the process fair and comfortable for our residents.”
Individuals who have an immunocompromising health condition or who are on an immunocompromising medication and are 18 years of age or older are still eligible for a fourth dose. These individuals are required to show proof of eligibility at their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. A referral form from a health care provider or proof of prescription medication will be accepted as proof of eligibility.
A full list of eligibility can be found on the Ontario Third Dose Guidance Document.
“Indicators across the province and in Peterborough region continue to show increasing transmission of COVID-19 and our COVID-19 Community Risk Index is currently HIGH risk,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recognizes that the high level of transmission increases the risk for moderate to severe symptoms related to a COVID-19 infection for eligible residents. We are strongly encouraging all eligible residents to book an appointment for all doses they are eligible for at the earliest date to protect themselves during the 6th wave.”
Vaccination is the most important tool in a multi-layer prevention against COVID-19. Other preventions include continuing to wear a tightly fitting (KN95/N95 style) mask, staying home when sick and seeking testing/treatment as eligible, improving the ventilation of our indoor air spaces and spending time outdoors.
Appointments can be booked through the provincial vaccine booking system over the phone by calling 1-833-943-3900 or online at https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/
For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, upcoming vaccine clinics, and booking a vaccine appointment, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.
To see the Peterborough Public Health Community Risk Index: https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-risk-index/
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 391