Hamilton Public Health is rolling out its plan to make the Pfizer bivalent vaccine available to anyone over the age of 5, as long as they meet eligibility criterion, including:
• They’ve completed their primary vaccine series (received a first and second dose);
• Recommended six months (recommended three months for those high-risk) since their most recent dose; and
• They have not been infected with COVID-19 over the past three months.
The bivalent booster targets the original COVID-19 virus and provides better protection against the variants currently circulating.
Hamilton Public Health Services and its Hamilton Healthcare Partners are recommending all community members five years of age and older book an appointment for a bivalent COVID-19 booster at hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine, as soon as they are eligible. 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. Residents are also strongly encouraged to check with the 100+ local pharmacies that are offering bivalent COVID-19 booster doses.
Walk-ins are being offered for community members six months of age and over to receive a flu shot and/or a monovalent COVID-19 vaccine at Hamilton Public Health Services clinics. Information on locations for getting a flu shot can be found at hamilton.ca/flu.
QUICK FACTS
• As of end of day December 15, 2022, 82 per cent of Hamiltonians have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 79 per cent have completed their primary series by receiving a second dose. 21 per cent of community members have received a booster dose within the previous six months.
• Community members six months of age and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as, or at any time before or after any other vaccines, including the flu shot.
• 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.
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