Starting Monday, Ontario residents aged 12-17 are eligible to receive Pfizer-BioNTech’s bivalent COVID-19 booster shot.
Appointments can be booked now through the province’s COVID-19 vaccine portal or directly through individual public health units that use their own booking systems, as well as some health-care providers and participating pharmacies.
The province said it is receiving its first shipments of the Pfizer bivalent Omicron vaccine from the federal government this week, following Health Canada’s approval of it last week.
The vaccine, which is approved for people at least 12 years old, can be given three to six months after a second dose of the primary vaccine series, or the most recent booster shot.
The Moderna combination shot approved five weeks ago targets the original virus and the first Omicron variant, while the Pfizer shot targets the BA.4 and BA.5 strains.
Previously, only those aged 18 and older were eligible for the Moderna bivalent shot in Ontario.
The province also said those over 60 years of age can also access antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Flu shots available in November
With the arrival of the respiratory illness season, including the flu, health officials in Ontario are also reminding people to stay up-to-date with their vaccines.
Starting November 1, flu shots will be available through health-care providers, public health units and in participating pharmacies. The province says the flu shot may be given at the same time, or at any time before or after the COVID vaccine.
“The colder weather is here which means an increase in respiratory illnesses,” Health Minister Sylvia Jones said in a release.
“Getting vaccinated remains the best defence against the flu and COVID-19 to help keep Ontarians healthy and out of hospitals. This will also ensure the province can continue its efforts to keep Ontario and its businesses open.”
-- With files from The Canadian Press
