Hamilton’s COVID-19 vaccination program update on AstraZeneca vaccine second dose options

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 414,436 doses of COVD-19 vaccine - with upwards of 71.2% of Hamiltonians over the age of 18 and 49.7% of youth ages 12+ receiving a vaccine to date.

Effective today, in alignment with Provincial direction, individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are eligible to book their second dose appointment at an interval of eight weeks or more with informed consent.

Those who have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can choose to proceed with the below options in order to receive a second dose vaccination.

Option for second dose

Receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine
Contact the pharmacy or primary care provider to book an appointment where the first dose was received at an interval of eight and 12 weeks. Visit www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking for available primary care clinics.

Receive a mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine as a second dose
Book a “second dose only” at an interval of eight and 12 weeks through the provincial booking system found at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking or by calling the Provincial call centre at 1-888-999-6488.

Public Health Services recommends that everyone who is eligible for a vaccination receive the first vaccine that is available to them. We need to work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, to reserve healthcare and hospital capacity and to protect vulnerable populations.

Quick Facts

• This guidance for accelerated second-dose option is based on emerging clinical evidence about the administration of two doses of different vaccines, as supported by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
• Evidence from multiple studies indicates that mixing of COVID-19 vaccines (receiving an mRNA vaccine after an AstraZeneca vaccine) at dosing intervals between eight and 12 weeks is safe and demonstrates a beneficial immune response.
• There is evidence that a longer interval between two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine (such as a 12-week interval) provides higher protection.
• 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 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

• Ontario Accelerates Rollout of Second Shots Targeting a Two-Dose Summer
• www.hamilton.ca/COVIDvaccines
• www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus
• covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations
• covid-19.ontario.ca
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848 option 7 or [email protected]