Earlier second doses available for Waterloo Region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Huron-Perth residents
People living in Waterloo Region or Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph who received an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30 are now eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment.
Both communities were identified as Delta variant hot spots by the province earlier this month.
Waterloo Region also launched a new self-serve vaccine booking system on Wednesday, which no longer requires people to pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Residents can also reschedule their second dose using that system.
Health officials continue to encourage people to take the first vaccine available to them, adding that Moderna and Pfizer can be mixed for first and second doses.
Vaccines are also available at pharmacies and physicians in the region. Appointments should be booked directly through the care providers.
Toronto, Peel, Halton, Porcupine, York, Hamilton, Simcoe-Muskoka and Durham are also listed as Delta variant hot spots.
On Wednesday, Huron Perth Public Health announced it is also expanding second-dose vaccine eligibility.
As of June 23, anyone who received an mRNA vaccine on or before May 30 is eligible to book a second dose appointment at Huron-Perth vaccine clinics at a shortened interval.
“Being fully vaccinated is very important. Two doses of vaccine – whether the same product or a mix of two vaccine products – provides safe and highly effective protection against the COVID-19 virus and variants, including the highly transmissible Delta variant,” Dr. Miriam Klassen, Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth, said in a release. “I strongly encourage everyone to get their vaccine as soon as possible, and to make their second dose a priority once they are eligible. The more people who are fully vaccinated, the less chance of COVID-19 spreading in our communities.”
Although Huron-Perth has not be designated a Delta variant hot spot, officials say an "increased COVID-19 vaccine supply" has allowed the health unit to speed up second dose appointments.
Appointments can be booked online or by calling 1-833-753-2098.
The health unit says all of its vaccine clinics indicate which vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna, will be administered. However, supply changes mean the health unit cannot guarantee the availability of a specific vaccine.
Officials stressed that Pfizer and Moderna are interchangeable mRNA vaccines.
Anyone who rebooks an appointment is urged to cancel their original booking.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Amber Alert for two Sask. children extended into South Dakota
An Amber Alert issued on Monday for two Saskatchewan children has been extended into South Dakota. Saskatchewan RCMP say evidence uncovered during their investigation suggests the children may be in the U.S. state.

Saskatoon woman made checklist while planning abduction, court documents allege
A Saskatoon mother made an apparent 'checklist' while planning to vanish with her son, according to court documents
EXCLUSIVE | 'Train surfer' under police investigation speaks about his dangerous adventures
The man who claims to be one of the people seen 'surfing' on the roof of a moving subway train in Toronto is speaking exclusively to CTV News about his stunts and the looming threat of a police arrest.
FBI's search of Trump's Florida estate: Why now?
The FBI's unprecedented search of former president Donald Trump's Florida residence ricocheted around government, politics and a polarized country Tuesday along with questions as to why the Justice Department – notably cautious under Attorney General Merrick Garland – decided to take such a drastic step.
Ontario nurse facing charges after alleged assault that left 2-year-old in hospital
An Ontario nurse is facing charges in connection with the alleged assault of a two-year-old boy with “significant medical limitations” in Niagara Region.
Exposure to synthetic 'forever chemical' linked to liver cancer, study finds
Exposure to synthetic ‘forever chemicals’ often polluting the environment has been linked to the most common type of liver cancer, according to a recent study.
Heavier flow, breakthrough bleeding reported among some individuals after COVID-19 vaccine: study
A new study found that people with regular menstruation cycles and those who typically do not menstruate either experienced a heavier flow or breakthrough bleeding after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
RCMP's spyware tools are 'extremely intrusive,' privacy experts say
Expressing concerns over the RCMP's yearslong use of spyware in major investigations, privacy and civil liberties experts say the previously undisclosed tools are 'extremely intrusive' and they are calling for stronger oversight and regulation of spyware Canada-wide.
Senegalese diplomat arrested by Quebec police owed former landlord more than $45,000
The detention and alleged beating by Quebec police of a Senegalese diplomat last week came as a bailiff was attempting to seize property at her residence to pay for a judgment against her.