Spring into action – COVID-19 dose recommended for people at higher risk

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is recommending that individuals at high risk of severe illness, complications or hospitalization from COVID-19 receive an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine this spring. This recommendation aligns with the transition of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine program to an annual schedule, based on recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). Those considered at higher risk, who are eligible for a spring dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, include:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older;
• Residents of long-term care and retirement homes, and other congregate living settings for older adults;
• Individuals six months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
• Individuals 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older.

The recommendation for all other individuals, including infants turning six months of age, is to wait until the fall for their annual COVID-19 vaccine. While COVID-19 activity does not follow a clear seasonal pattern like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza (flu), local surveillance data from the past three years have shown a consistent trend: after a period of low COVID-19 activity in the spring, COVID-19 activity tends to increase during the summer months into the fall. Ongoing COVID-19 activity and increases at different times during the year is why it’s especially important for individuals at higher risk in Ottawa to get an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine now. Now until the end of June is a good time for most individuals at high risk to get a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, knowing that the vaccine will be available to them again in the fall. Pharmacies continue to be the primary point of access for COVID-19 vaccines. To find a pharmacy near you, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FindPharmacy. You can also check with your regular health care provider to see if they offer the vaccines. OPH provides COVID-19 vaccine services only to eligible individuals facing significant barriers to accessing the vaccine in our community. For more information on how eligible residents can receive their COVID-19 vaccination, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine. Residents can also connect with OPH on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube.