Premier Doug Ford said today Ontario should be able to have a two-dose summer, saying as long as supply holds steady, everyone who wants it should receive their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of August.
The interval between first and second doses can be up to 16 weeks, but with supply issues seemingly worked out, Ford said today Ontario can begin to offer second dose appointments at an earlier interval.
Eligibility, though, will be based on the availability of vaccines, so the timing of second doses may vary based on local considerations, vaccine supply and the date of first dose appointment.
To this end, those 80 and over in 2021 will be eligible to book their second dose appointment beginning May 31 at 8:00 a.m. This will be followed by people aged 70 and over, who can begin booking their second doses the week of June 14.
“The province will then continue to expand eligibility for second dose appointments based on date of first dose,” Ontario said today in a news release. “Ontario will further accelerate the rollout of second doses in the event that the federal government confirms increased vaccine deliveries.”
As it stands now, more than 65 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and over have received their first doses, ahead of schedule set by the province to reach that target by May 31, Ford said today. More than 8.6 million doses have been administered, and more than eight million people have received at least one dose.
“Ontarians who have had their first dose and are eligible for an accelerated second dose may be able to return to the same site or channel where they received their first dose for their second dose appointment, or may choose to book an appointment at a different site or channel,” the province stated.
Second dose appointments can be rebooked through the provincial booking system and through pharmacies, Ontario said. For those in public health units who use their own booking system, or who received their doses from the primary care provider or through a pop-up clinic, more information is to come on how and when second dose booking and rebooking will be available. Second dose appointments can also be booked (without a first appointment) in the provincial booking system.
The premier also addressed the question about children returning to school before the end of the June. This week, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said he would like children back in school before the province starts reopening in mid-June.
Ford said he, too, would like to see kids back in school. He has taken Williams’ opinion into consideration, the premier said, but this week put out a call for more “experts” to weigh in on the questions, including scientists and teachers unions.
Saying the variants of concern still pose a real risk and that the science table members have told him reopening schools would have an impact on case numbers, the premier said it wasn’t a decision to rush.
“I don’t want to rush this. If it takes a couple of days, so be it,” Ford said.
Ford also took the opportunity today to once again criticize the federal government over the border, demanding a federal strategy for Canada’s borders and saying the fed’s own expert panel has said border controls are failing. The premier also said Ontario residents are “paying the price” for bad policy at the border.
Below, you can find information about booking your second dose:
- Week of May 31: individuals aged 80+
- Week of June 14: individuals aged 70+
- Week of June 28: individuals who received their first dose between the week of March 8 to April 18, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals with the highest-risk health conditions and special education workers.
- Week of July 19: individuals who received their first dose between the week of April 19 to May 9, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals aged 50 and over, as well as individuals with high-risk health conditions.
- Week of August 2: individuals who received their first dose between the week of May 10 to May 30, on a “first-in, first-out” basis. For example, this included individuals who cannot work from home and individuals who have at-risk health conditions.
- Week of August 9 to 16: individuals aged 12 to 25
- Week of August 9: individuals who received their first dose from the week of May 31 onwards on a “first-in, first out” basis, respecting the recommended intervals.
Individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from March 21 onwards will be eligible to receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from May 31 onwards at a 12-week interval, with appointment dates based on the timing of their first dose.
How can Ontarians book their second dose appointment?
Several different vaccination clinic options are available across Ontario’s public health regions, including mass immunization clinics, pop-up / mobile clinics, hospital clinics and pharmacy clinics. Not all clinic types are available in every region and depend on local planning done by each public health unit.
Second dose appointments can be rebooked through the provincial booking system, and through pharmacies. For those in public health units who use their own booking system, or who received their doses from their primary care provider or through a pop-up clinic, more information will follow on how and when second dose booking and rebooking will be available.
Second doses can also be booked (without a first appointment) in the provincial booking system.
Who is already eligible for an accelerated second dose?
Ontario has already begun offering second doses of COVID-19 vaccines at a shortened interval to certain groups, including high-risk health care workers, individuals with certain health conditions and First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals.
In addition, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is being offered at an accelerated pace with a 10-week interval for individuals who received their first dose between March 10 to March 19, 2021. Acceleration of AstraZeneca second doses will proceed on a 12-week interval, with booking eligibility based on date of first dose.
