Keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, as vaccine protection can decrease over time.
What does staying up to date mean?
6 months – 4 years: Completed a primary vaccine series.
5 years and older:
Not at higher risk: Completed a primary series and received a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) on or after September 1, 2022.
Specific high-risk populations: Completed a primary series and received a booster dose within the last 6 months
Individuals aged 65 and over;
First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults aged 55 and over, as well as their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 and over;
Individuals who are at least 18 years old and moderately to severely immunocompromised;
Individuals who are at least 18 years old and residing in long-term care homes, retirement homes, or other congregate settings for seniors or individuals with complex care needs, and
Pregnant individuals
This helps to protect you, your family, and your community from COVID-19.
The following groups are recommended to receive a COVID-19 booster this spring if at least 6 months (168 days) has passed since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Individuals aged 65 years and older;
Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges, and other congregate living settings for seniors;
Individuals aged 18 years and older living in a congregate care setting for people with complex medical care needs;
Pregnant individuals;
Individuals aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised; and
Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older
Individuals aged 5 years or older who have not received a booster dose since September 1, 2022 should also get a booster dose this spring.
For more information on where to get a COVID-19 booster, see TBDHU.com/vaxclinics for Thunder Bay-area clinics and TBDHU.com/districtvaccines for opportunities in District communities.
Bivalent Boosters
Bivalent booster doses are available to everyone 5 years of age and older.
Read on to learn more:
Bivalent vaccines are mRNA vaccines that target two different viruses or two strains of the same virus. The mRNA bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are an updated version of the original mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that targets the original COVID-19 virus and the Omicron variant, which is currently the dominant variant in circulation in Ontario. Bivalent vaccines are now being administered as booster doses to eligible individuals.
These mRNA COVID-19 bivalent vaccines are formulated to better protect against the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. They can also help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination.
The mRNA bivalent vaccines are only offered as a booster dose. This means that you must have completed your primary series to receive it.
If you have not received a bivalent booster dose since September 1, 2022, you should get one as soon as you are eligible (a recommended interval of 6 months after your last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection).
Mixing vaccines? It is recommended that this age group receive the same vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – for all doses in a primary series (e.g. first 2 doses for Moderna and 3 doses for Pfizer).
Timing with other vaccines? Based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live or non-live vaccines for anyone age 6 months and older.
Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 6 months to under 5 years old should get an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Moderna is the preferred vaccine for children this age who are immunocompromised. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
Time interval between doses
Pfizer - 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose; 3rd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 2nd dose
Moderna - 2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Mixing vaccines? It is recommended that this age group receive the same vaccine – either Pfizer or Moderna – for all doses in a primary series (e.g. first two doses).
Recommended vaccine? Pfizer is recommended in this age group to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
Timing with other vaccines? Based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live or non-live vaccines for anyone age 6 months and older.
Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 5 years of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
Time interval between primary doses
2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
Keeping up to date with booster doses (see definition above) is recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness.
Bivalent vaccines are recommended as booster doses.
Booster doses can be received 6 months (168 days) after the last dose or COVID-19 infection.
Recommended vaccine? Pfizer is recommended for those in this age group to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
Turning 12 before 2nd dose? Children who turn 12 by the time of their second dose will receive the adolescent/adult formulation to complete their primary series as it is the age appropriate dose.
Timing with Other Vaccines? Based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time as, or any time before or after, other vaccines, including live or non-live vaccines for anyone age 5 and over.
Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
Child is immunocompromised? Individuals 5 years of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. See below for more information about getting vaccinated if eligible.
Time interval between primary doses
2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
Keeping up to date with booster doses (see definition above) is recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness.
Bivalent vaccines are recommended as booster doses.
Booster doses can be received 6 months (168 days) after the last dose or COVID-19 infection.
Aged 18 to 29? Individuals 18-29 are recommended to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty vaccine to reduce possible risk of myocarditis/pericarditis.
Timing with Other Vaccines? There is no waiting period required between the COVID-19 vaccine and other routine immunizations like the flu shot.
Previous COVID-19 infection? Find up-to-date guidance on receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after a COVID-19 infection by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccines webpage.
Immunocompromised? Individuals 5 years of age and older who are immunocompromised should get three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Learn more about who is considered immunocompromised by visiting Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine website. See below for more information about getting vaccinated if eligible.
Time interval between primary doses
2nd dose received 2 months (56 days) after 1st dose
Use this online tool to calculate days since the last dose
Booster Doses
Keeping up to date with booster doses (see definition above) is recommended as there is an ongoing risk of infection due to waning immunity and the ongoing risk of severe illness.
Bivalent vaccines are recommended as booster doses.
Booster doses can be received 6 months (168 days) after the last dose or COVID-19 infection.
