Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccination program update on accelerated second 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. We are pleased to announce that to date, we have administered approximately 443,578 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Upwards of 71.8 per cent of Hamiltonians over the age of 18 have received a vaccine to date with 18.9 per cent having completed their vaccine series. In addition, 53 per cent of youth ages 12-17 have received a first dose to date.

Yesterday, 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. In order to provide a strong level of protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant, the Province is accelerating eligibility Hamilton residents to book a second dose appointment as follows:

• On Monday, June 21, 2021 at 8 am, individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 9, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
• On Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8 am, individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 30, 2021 will be eligible to book or rebook their second dose appointment at a shortened interval.
• Starting the week of June 28, 2021 (date to be determined by the province) all individuals aged 18 and over who have 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.

Booking an appointment

• Appointments for a shortened second dose interval for individuals at large-scale and some mobile pop-up clinics 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: 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 that first dose and 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.” 

Dr. Ninh Tran, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Quick Facts

• 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’s team of health experts.
• 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.
• 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 registration, 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

• Accelerated Second Dose Eligibility Continues Ahead of Schedule
• www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
• covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Hotline: 905-974-9848 or [email protected]