Hamilton COVID-19 vaccination program expands eligibility for fourth doses

HAMILTON, ON – As announced today by the Ontario Government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is expanding eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine starting on April 7, 2022 to include:

• Individuals aged 60 and over are strongly recommended to receive on a five-month interval (140 days), however, individuals can choose to receive at a three-month interval after their first booster dose. A longer interval has shown to provide better immunity protection.
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over on a five-month interval (140 days), or the option of receiving at a three-month interval after their first booster dose

Expanding booster eligibility will provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron and BA.2 variants and, in addition to antivirals, are another tool we are using to live more safely with and manage COVID-19. We encourage all Hamiltonians to ensure that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Eligible community members can book an appointment for their fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, April 7 at 8 a.m. We anticipate demand will be higher than available capacity for those eligible at the 3-month interval. Due to a high volume of eligible individuals, we ask that individuals check back daily for available appointments.  Appointments can be booked 14 days in advance, with new appointment dates being added daily. Vaccine clinics hours and days of operation will be adjusted as needed.

Information about COVID-19 vaccine clinic locations, hours of operations, and how to book appointments is available at www.hamilton.ca/getyourvaccine Additionally, residents are also encouraged to check with local pharmacies who are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Hamilton Public Health Services online vaccine booking system, accessed by visiting www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine can accept bookings for eligible residents with an Ontario health card (green photo health card OR red and white) and an email address or cell phone number. Individuals without an Ontario health card, or without an email address or cell phone number can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7. Translation services are available by phone.

Individuals wishing to receive a first, second or booster dose can access a COVID-19 vaccine on a walk-in basis. 

It is important for Hamiltonians to be mindful that COVID-19 is still present in our community and increasing trends in cases and wastewater signal data indicate that transmission is increasing across Ontario and here in Hamilton. Individual public health measures are most effective when layered together amongst other actions that individuals and organizations can take to protect themselves and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Hamiltonians are encouraged to consider their own risk factors and those with who they love or spend time with, their risk tolerance and the setting they are in when it comes to protecting themselves from COVID-19.  

It's important to note, the following protective measures can reduce serious health consequences from COVID-19 infections:

• Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with vaccines, including 3rd and 4th doses 
• Wear a mask when indoors and/or when unable to distance
• Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• Speak to your healthcare provider (doctor, nurse practitioner) in advance to see if you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment and where to access
• Practice physical distancing

Quick Facts

• To date, an estimated 1,226,850 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Hamilton, including 298,878 third and booster doses. To date, 90.4 per cent of Hamiltonians aged 12 years and older have chosen to receive a vaccine, and 88.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. Among children aged five to 11 years, 53.2 per cent have received a first dose and 36.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
• Vaccine administration rates may differ based on local context.
• All vaccination planning is based on and contingent on available COVID-19 vaccine supply.
• It is vital that members of the public, even those who have been vaccinated, ensure that public health measures still be practiced until it is safe and said to be safe by the health professionals in all levels of government.