New vaccines that target the prevailing XBB.1.5 Subvariant of COVID-19 won't be available to the general population until the end of the month, according to the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre.
Region of Waterloo Public Health began offering the updated COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations to high-risk individuals, through clinics and the neighbourhood nursing team starting today by appointment only.
Health Canada authorized Moderna's updated mRNA vaccine in early September and last week authorized Pfizer-BioNTech's updated COVID-19 vaccine for people six months and older.
Until supply becomes more widely available, however, it will only be offered to high risk populations and those considered to have compromised immune systems due to various factors.
Initial doses will be prioritized for hospitalized individuals and hospital staff, long-term care home and elder care lodge residents, staff, and caregivers.
Vaccines will also be distributed, as they become available, to participating retirement homes, other congregate living settings, pharmacies, primary care providers and other providers for the immunization of individuals at high-risk for influenza and/or COVID-19 related complications or hospitalization.
High-risk individuals may book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment via the provincial website or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll-free) from Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.
When vaccines become available for everyone, more appointments will be made available.
Walk-ins are not available at this time.
For information on accessing an influenza vaccine, residents are asked to contact their health care provider, participating pharmacy, or the Region of Waterloo’s website.
