COVID-19 vaccine doses for those aged 60 and older, as well as some Indigenous groups aged 18 and older.The second boosters will be available to the eligible groups as of 8 a.m.
on Thursday and the city’s top doc suggests pharmacies will be the major provider of this round of vaccinations. Ontario expands 4th COVID dose eligibility to 60+ and First Nations starting April 7 “NACI‘s advice had been more for the 80-plus group, but saying (jurisdictions) could extend it to lower age groups.” Dr.
Elizabeth Richardson told councillors during a general issues committee meeting on Wednesday.“Ontario decided to go with the 60-plus age group, so we’ve been asked by the province to use our current footprint for vaccine rollout.”As of Wednesday, COVID vaccines are available in local pharmacies, Hamilton Public Health Services-led clinics and through community partner clinics – like the Lime Ridge Mall clinic, Hamilton Public Library locations at Central and Red Hill – as well as various mobile clinics.Richardson expects clinic hours and days of operation will be adjusted as needed.So far, those in long-term care and retirement homes in addition to immunocompromised people have had access to fourth shots.The province moved to the fourth dose due to the presence of the new BA.2 variant and is recommending the inoculation at a five-month interval after the third dose.Hamilton public health says “higher than available capacity” is the reason for moving to the five-month marker as opposed to the previous three month periods for the other doses.Richardson says she expects COVID to circulate in the community for years and her concerns revolve around how much of an effect it will have on the regional hospital network.“It’s going to.