COVID-19 Vaccines: Dose Information

• Individuals with moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g. DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome).
• Individuals with stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection, and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

• Individuals receiving dialysis (hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis).
• Individuals receiving active treatment* (e.g. chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy) for solid tumour or hematologic malignancies.
  • *Active treatment includes patients who have completed treatment within 3 months. Active treatment is defined as chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and excludes individuals receiving therapy that does not suppress the immune system (e.g. solely hormonal therapy or radiation therapy).
• Recipients of solid-organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressive therapy.
• Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy).

Active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies:

• anti-B cell therapies** (monoclonal antibodies targeting CD19, CD20 and CD22)
  • **Active treatment for patients receiving B-cell depleting therapy includes patients who have completed treatment within 12 months.
• high-dose systemic corticosteroids (refer to the CIG for suggested definition of high dose steroids)
• alkylating agents
• antimetabolites
• tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive

The following is a list of eligible immunosuppressant medications: 

NOTE: If you have been prescribed a medication that is not listed, contact your health care provider to receive a referral form for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The list of medications may not be comprehensive; health care providers may identify patients on other medications that are significantly immunosuppressive.

• Health care providers who are currently providing the COVID-19 vaccine will administer third doses to their patients.
• Patients of the TBRHSC Renal Program will be contacted by the program and arrangements will be made for them to receive their third dose.

• A completed referral form must be obtained from your health care provider and then taken to a pharmacy or the CLE Coliseum Clinic in Thunder Bay.
• Those who are eligible because of a medication can bring the prescription/medication bottle to a pharmacy or the TBDHU CLE Coliseum clinic instead of the referral form. 
• Those who want to receive their immunization at the TBDHU CLE Coliseum do not need to make an appointment but can walk-in.

• Visit the District Immunization Clinics page to learn more including when and where the vaccines will be offered in your community as well as details on how to book an appointment. These clinics are open to anyone needing any dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Contact the health centre in your First Nation community to find out about current immunization opportunities.

You are eligible when it has been at least 6 months (168 days) since your second dose.

NOTE: You must be eligible on the day you attend (i.e. you must be 12, not turning 12 later this year). With informed consent after a discussion with a health care provider, individuals 12-17 years of age may receive an earlier booster dose.

You are eligible when it has been at least 3 months (84 days) since your second dose. NOTE: You must be eligible on the day you attend (i.e. you must be 18, not turning 18 later this year). 

You are eligible when it has been at least 3 months (84 days) since your third dose. 

Proof of eligibility is required if visiting a TBDHU clinic or a pharmacy, and can include any of the following:

• A completed TBDHU referral form from a physician/specialist; if they don’t have the form, ask them to contact TBDHU at (807) 625-5900.
• A letter/document from a health care provider, hospital or clinic that clearly outlines eligibility for the booster (4th) dose and includes the eligible person’s name as well as the contact information for the clinic.
• A copy of the referral form or document/letter used as proof of eligibility for the third dose.
• A prescription or medication bottles from the list found in the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose and Booster Recommendations document or in the "Third Doses for Specific Populations" tab above.

You are eligible for a first booster when it has been at least 3 months (84 days) since your second dose of the AstraZeneca Vaxzevria vaccine or your first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Fourth doses (second boosters) are available for those who are eligible to provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron variant and BA.2 sub-variant for those who may be at higher risk of severe illness.

When am I eligible?

Individuals are eligible if they meet age and dose interval requirements.

Age Eligibility:

• 60 years of age and over (must be at least 60 on the day of the appointment)
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over on the day of the appointment (i.e. cannot be turning 18 later this year)

Dose Interval Eligibility:

• It is recommended to wait at least 5 months (140 days) between boosters for longer lasting protection. However, if you meet the minimum interval of 3 months (84 days) since your last booster, you can get your fourth dose (second booster) by providing informed consent.
• See the "Date Eligibility Chart for Second Booster Doses" tab below (or download the PDF Date Eligibility Chart) for help in figuring out when you are eligible.
• Individuals who were infected with COVID-19 after their third dose (first booster), are recommended to receive their fourth dose (second booster) 3 months (84 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).

Where can I get a dose?

• In the City of Thunder Bay - see the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments page
• District Communities - see the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page

• As of December 30, 2021, these residents are eligible for a second booster dose (4th dose) if it has been at least 3 months (84 days) since the first booster dose.
• TBDHU is working with these facilities to support administration of these second boosters doses.
• Individuals should check with their facility management to see what arrangements are being made OR if you are able to receive your vaccine in the community, review the options available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-ins or District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics pages as applicable. 

Fifth doses (second boosters) are available for those who are eligible to provide an extra layer of protection against the Omicron variant and BA.2 sub-variant for those who may be at higher risk of severe illness.

When am I eligible?

Individuals are eligible if they received a three dose primary series and meet age and dose interval requirements.

Age Eligibility:

• 60 years of age and over (must be at least 60 on the day of the appointment)
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over on the day of the appointment (i.e. cannot be turning 18 later this year)

Dose Interval Eligibility:

• It is recommended to wait at least 5 months (140 days) between boosters for longer lasting protection. However, if you meet the minimum interval of 3 months (84 days) since your last booster, you can get your fifth dose (second booster) by providing informed consent.
• See the "Date Eligibility Chart for Second Booster Doses" tab below (or download the PDF Date Eligibility Chart) for help in figuring out when you are eligible.
• Individuals who were infected with COVID-19 after their fourth dose (first booster), are recommended to receive their fifth dose (second booster) 3 months (84 days) after symptom onset or positive test (if asymptomatic).

Proof of Eligibility:

Proof of eligibility is required if visiting a TBDHU clinic or a pharmacy, and can include any of the following:

• A completed TBDHU referral form from a physician/specialist; if they don’t have the form, ask them to contact TBDHU at (807) 625-5900.
• A letter/document from a health care provider, hospital or clinic that clearly outlines eligibility for the 5th dose (second booster) and includes the eligible person’s name as well as the contact information for the clinic.
• A copy of the referral form or document/letter used as proof of eligibility for the 4th dose (first booster).
• A prescription or medication bottles from the list found in the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose and Booster Recommendations document or in the "Third Doses for Specific Populations" tab above.

Where can I get a dose?

• In the City of Thunder Bay - see the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments page
• District Communities - see the District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics page

• As of May 3, 2022, residents who are moderately to severely immunocompromised who received a three dose primary series, are eligible for a second booster dose (5th dose) if it has been at least 3 months (84 days) since the first booster dose.
• TBDHU is working with these facilities to support administration of these second boosters doses.
• Individuals should check with their facility management to see what arrangements are being made OR if you are able to receive your vaccine in the community, review the options available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments/Walk-ins or District COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics pages as applicable.