Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccination program update on accelerated second doses for adults 18 + and Hamilton youth

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. We are pleased to announce that to date, we have administered approximately 496,632 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Upwards of 72.8 per cent of Hamiltonians over the age of 18 have received a vaccine to date with 27.4 per cent having completed their vaccine series. In addition, 56.3 per cent of youth ages 12-17 have received a first dose to date.

In alignment with provincial direction, beginning Monday, June 28, 2021 at 8 a.m. individuals ages 18 years or older who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to book their second dose appointment. The appointment will be scheduled at least 28 days after the first dose, per the recommended interval. 

In addition, as Hamilton is one of 10 public health units identified as a Delta Variant hot spot, beginning Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 8 a.m., Hamilton youth aged 12 to 17 can book an accelerated second dose appointment through the provincial booking system, and through participating pharmacies.

Booking an appointment

• Appointments for a shortened second dose interval for individuals can be booked through the Provincial online booking system found at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking or by calling the Provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488. For more information on second doses at a mobile pop-up clinic or for those without a Green Ontario Health Card please visit www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking.
• As of today, 104 participating pharmacies are offering Pfizer and Moderna vaccine to individuals aged 12+ and 18+ respectively. Locations are on the Province’s website along with more details about how to book an appointment at each pharmacy: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.
• Hamilton’s Primary Care partners are holding COVID-19 vaccine clinics in various locations across the city. Clinic locations and how to book can be found at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking.  

Visit www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking for a full list of available clinics and how to book an appointment.

With the concerns around the Delta variant, getting a first dose and then completing your vaccine series as soon as possible is the only way to stop the COVID-19 virus. Individuals should receive the first mRNA vaccine that is available to them for their second vaccine dose regardless of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine type (Moderna or Pfizer) they received for their first dose, all mRNA vaccines provided in Ontario provide strong protection against COVID-19 and its variants. Completing a vaccination series by receiving a second dose of any mRNA COVID-19 vaccine type is safe and effective in the protection against the COVID-19 virus and its associated variants.

Quick Facts

• The Ontario government included Hamilton as one of 10 public health units identified as a Delta variant hot spot. Communities with the highest rates of Delta (B.1.617.2) variant transmission were recommended by and identified through data and analysis by Public Health Ontario and Ontario Ministry of Health.
• As recommended by National Advisory Committee on Immunization, an mRNA vaccine is now preferred as the second dose for individuals who received a first dose of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine. People who have already received two doses of AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine can be confident that the vaccine provides them with good protection against COVID-19.
• The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in individuals aged 12 and over.
• All vaccination planning is based on and contingent on available COVID-19 vaccine supply.
• Vaccine administration rates may differ based on local context.
• Information regarding vaccination clinics, appointment booking and frequently asked questions are available on the COVID-19 Vaccines section of the City’s website at www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines.
• 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.  Public health measures include:  
  • stay home if you are feeling unwell
  • get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19
  • limit indoor gatherings to only members of your immediate household
  • maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet or 2 meters from others outside of your immediate household
  • wear a mask or face covering indoors and outdoors when not able to maintain physical distancing
  • wash hands frequently

Additional Resources

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