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

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 339,842 doses of COVD-19 vaccine – with upwards of 64.6% of Hamiltonians over the age of 18 and 16.1% of youth ages 12+ receiving a vaccine to date.

Today, in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) recommendation, the Province provided updated guidance for individuals who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and who have not yet received their second dose.

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.

DateOption for second doseHow to access

Beginning June 4, 2021Receive a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Contact the pharmacy or primary care provider to book an appointment where the first dose was received within a 12-week interval.

Week of June 7, 2021Receive a mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine as a second dose. Book a “second dose only” at a 12-week interval through the provincial booking system found at www.hamilton.ca/VaccineBooking

More information regarding the interchangeability of mRNA vaccines will be available from the Province in coming days.

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

• The guidance for second-dose options available to individuals who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are safe and provide strong protection against COVID-19 and will count as a completed series.
• These second dose options will be provided at the recommended 12-week interval.
• 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 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
• Public Health Services’ COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848 option 7 or [email protected]