Waterloo Region residents vaccinated before May 30 can book accelerated second dose starting June 23: province
Anyone living in Waterloo Region who received a first mRNA dose on or before May 30 will be able to book an accelerated second dose appointment starting next week, the province announced Thursday.
Accelerated second dose appointments will open on June 23 in Delta hot spot regions. That includes Waterloo Region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York, along with Hamilton, Simcoe, Muskoka and Durham.
Provincial officials also said there are plans to bring pop-up vaccination clinics to high-priority neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region. The clinics will likely accept both walk-ins and appointments, and will offer both first and second doses to eligible residents.
Earlier this week, accelerated second dose appointments were made available to Waterloo Region residents who received an mRNA vaccine on or before May 9. Anyone who falls into that timeframe can fill out a form on the region's website to ask for an earlier second dose appointment.
Over the weekend, the province also shortened the interval following a first AstraZeneca dose to eight weeks.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released new recommendations for people who received a first dose of AstraZeneca on Thursday. NACI now says a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna is the preferred option. This is due to studies showing an mRNA vaccine for a second dose is more effective than AstraZeneca, and Canada has seen an increased supply of Pfizer and Moderna over the past few weeks.
Dr. Sharon Bal, who is working on the region's vaccine distribution task force, said getting AstraZeneca for one or both doses was still the right choice.
"I think the message should be, if you got two doses of AstraZeneca, that's excellent. You have good protection against illness and very good protection against serious illness and death," Dr. Bal said. "It really isn't a critique of AstraZeneca, as opposed to more evidence of the safety and the power of the mixed dosing schedule and, in particular, covering variants."
Bal added the recommendation doesn't mean you can't get a second dose of AstraZeneca or that you shouldn't. She suggests speaking to your doctor or pharmacist about what option is right for you.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have spiked in Waterloo Region in recent days. On Wednesday, the region reported the most new cases of any health unit in Ontario. Officials said there are concerns about the Delta variant, which was first identified in India, spreading within the community.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Premier Doug Ford said he's been in contact with local officials.
"It's all hands on deck there," he said.
At a Board of Health meeting on Wednesday night, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said the majority of Delta variant cases in the region are in unvaccinated individuals. At a large, active outbreak at a congregate setting, 87.5 per cent of cases are among unvaccinated individuals and 9.7 per cent are partially vaccinated. Only 2.8 per cent of cases are in fully vaccinated individuals, and Dr. Wang said they weren't fully protected at the time of infection.
Ford said people who aren't vaccinated could put everyone in jeopardy.
"I've always said from day one, I wouldn't force vaccinations on anyone," he said. "But, I've been encouraging everyone, every step fo the way, 100 per cent, get vaccinated because now, it affects the whole K-W area."
"Vaccines work, they are safe and effective, they will help end the pandemic," Minister of Health Christine Elliott said at a press conference Thursday. "The best vaccine for your second dose is the vaccine that is available first."
Elliott, along with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, urged all Ontarians to book a second dose appointment as early as possible, adding the Delta variant remains a threat in the province.
Jones also added that mixing and matching vaccines is safe and effective, and will help to allow for an expedited rollout of second doses.
"We continue to make strides to speed up vaccines and get more people fully immunized earlier than originally targeted," she said.
Elliott also said the province will provide public health guidance for fully vaccinated Ontarians "shortly."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.