Spring ahead with COVID-19 protection, get vaccinated

HAMILTON, ON – In alignment with direction from the Ontario Government, effective April 6, 2023, Hamiltonians at high-risk of severe illness from a COVID-19 infection will be eligible and recommended to receive a Spring bivalent booster. The following high-risk community members are eligible, as long as it has been six months since their most recent COVID-19 vaccination or infection:

• Individuals aged 65 years and older
• Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and adult residents of other congregate living settings for seniors
• Individuals 18 years and older living in congregate care settings for people with complex medical care needs
• Pregnant individuals
• Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older
• Individuals aged 18 years and older with moderately to severely immunocompromising conditions

High-risk Hamiltonians recommended to get their Spring booster shot

The bivalent booster targets the original COVID-19 virus and provides better protection against the variants currently circulating. With COVID-19 still present in Hamilton, it is important that high-risk community members get vaccinated to protect themselves from the severe illness the virus can inflict, and reduce the pressure on Hamilton’s healthcare capacity.

Hamilton Public Health Services is recommending all community members five years of age and older stay up to date with vaccination and book an appointment for a bivalent COVID-19 booster at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine if they have yet to receive one during the 2022/23 respiratory illness season, or since September 1, 2022.

Appointments can be booked on Hamilton’s booking tool 14 days in advance, with new appointment dates being added daily and clinic listings updated regularly. Hamilton Public Health Services continues to operate two mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics in areas with lower vaccine coverage rates, at convenient locations and times. Residents are also strongly encouraged to check with local pharmacies offering bivalent COVID-19 booster doses.

Quick facts

• As of end of day April 3, 2023, 82.2 per cent of Hamiltonians have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 79.2 per cent have completed their primary series by receiving a second dose. 15.7 per cent of community members have received a booster dose within the previous six months.
• On March 3, 2023, the Public Health Agency of Canada released guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) that recommends an additional COVID-19 booster dose for those who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and it has been six or more months since their previous dose.
• Hamilton Public Health Services online vaccine booking system continues to be accessed by visiting hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine and accepts bookings for eligible residents with an email address or cell phone number. Individuals without an email address or cell phone number can call the Public Health Services COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline: 905-974-9848, option 7 to book an appointment. Translation services are available by phone.
• Hamilton parents are reminded to also follow the Ontario routine immunization schedule. If your child has missed vaccinations or if you are unsure about which vaccinations they have received, contact your health care provider or Hamilton Public Health Services to get their vaccination schedule up-to-date.