Hamilton COVID-19 vaccination program expands eligibility for booster doses

HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton healthcare partners continue to make progress in vaccinating members of the community who fall into the Province’s COVID-19 Vaccination Framework. To date, Hamilton healthcare partners have administered 862,404 doses of COVID-19 vaccine – with 85.3 per cent of eligible Hamiltonians receiving a vaccine to date and 81.5 per cent fully vaccinated. Across the city, administering first and second doses to individuals continues to remain the main focus and priority. 

Following Provincial direction and recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), effective immediately, the following individuals are eligible to book an appointment to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if at least six months have passed since their last dose:

• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
• Healthcare workers, and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers) ages 18+;
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members ages 18+.

Booster doses are being offered to these groups based on evidence of gradual waning immunity six months after receiving their second dose and a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Offering the extra layer of protection provided by a booster dose will contribute to the fight against COVID-19.

Booking an appointment for booster dose

All booster doses are available by appointment only, no walk-in option available. Appointments can be booked by visiting www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine. Designated essential caregivers in congregate settings, individuals ages 70+, individuals ages 18+ who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine: two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of Janssen vaccine, and First Nation, Inuit and Metis adults and their non-Indigenous household members ages 18+ can book an appointment at the following clinics:

• Any Hamilton Public Health Services fixed-site vaccine clinic
• Hamilton Public Health Services’ mobile vaccine clinics
• Select primary care led vaccine clinics
• Participating pharmacies. Please check to see if you can book an appointment at your local pharmacy online.

Booking an appointment for booster dose for Healthcare Workers

In order to preserve capacity at community vaccine clinics and accommodate the large population of eligible healthcare workers, Hamilton Health Sciences’ West End Clinic will temporarily host a Healthcare Worker Vaccine Clinic beginning Monday, November 8, 2021. The Hamilton Health Sciences COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the West End Clinic located at 690 Main St. W. will pause services in order to pivot to meet the current needs of healthcare community. Healthcare workers are encouraged to access the specialized healthcare worker vaccine clinic, contact their occupational health department in their organization or visit a participating pharmacy to access a booster dose. Please check to see if you can book an appointment at your local pharmacy online.

Healthcare workers include:

• any regulated health professionals and any staff member, contract worker, student/trainee, registered volunteer, or other designated essential caregiver currently working in-person in a health care organization, including workers that are not providing direct patient care and are frequently in the patient environment (i.e. cleaning staff, research staff, other administrative staff).
• workers providing healthcare service or direct patient service in a congregate, residential or community setting outside of a health care organization.

All booster doses for healthcare workers are available by appointment only, no walk-in option available. Appointments can be booked by visiting www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine.

Ensuring that healthcare workers remain protected against COVID-19 is of upmost importance for the health and safety of our community.

Hamilton Public Health Services continues to work closely with hospital, primary care, pharmacy, Hamilton Paramedic Service and other community organizations to offer vaccine to all eligible community members with health equity principles at the foundation of Hamilton’s vaccine program.

Quick facts

• Hamilton’s focus continues to be administering both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while ensuring expansion as needed.
• Evidence continues to show that a complete two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series provides strong protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes, including against the Delta variant, in the general population.
• Hamilton Health Sciences COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the West End Clinic located at 690 Main St. W. last day performing COVID-19 testing will be on Sunday, November 7, 2021.  COVID-19 testing continues to take place at the St. Joe’s Mountain COVID-19 Testing Centre at Mohawk College and can be accessed by appointment only.
• We are encouraged to see the reports from the middle of October (October 18, 2021) that Pfizer has formally requested approval from Health Canada for its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11. We now eagerly await Health Canada approval and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and direction from the Ontario government, including vaccine supply and distribution.
• On August 18, 2021, individuals born in 2009 and earlier became eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
• 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. 

Additional resources

• www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• https://covid-19.ontario.ca
• https://kidshealthfirst.ca/
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7 or [email protected]
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]