While the COVID-19 vaccine is highly effective, Ontario is expanding eligibility for a booster dose to all Ontarians over time.
Based on Ontario’s COVID-19covid 19 vaccination rollout for first and second doses, expansion of eligibility for booster doses will be based on age and risk. You must wait a minimum of six months after receiving your second dose before your can get your booster dose.
Some vulnerable populations can get a third dose eight weeks after their second dose.
August 17
Transplant recipients
Patients with hematological cancers
Recipients of an anti-CD20 agent
Residents of high-risk congregate settings including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges
September 14
Patients undergoing active treatment for solid tumors
Recipients of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell
People with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency
People with stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
People undergoing active treatment with some categories of immunosuppressive therapies
October 7
People who live in a retirement home
People who live in congregate settings such as assisted-living facilities, chronic care hospitals and congregate senior’s apartment buildings
People taking other immunosuppressant medications (contact your doctor to find out if you’re eligible)
November 5
People aged 70 and older
Health care workers
Designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers)
People who received two doses of AstraZeneca or one dose of Janssen (a complete series of a viral vector vaccine)
People who are First Nation, Inuit and/or Métis
People who are 18 years and older and live with people who are First Nation, Inuit and/or Métis
Early 2022
Everyone age 12 and older who received their second dose at least six to eight months ago
Where to get your booster dose
If you are eligible, you can book your booster dose appointment:
through the COVID-19 vaccination portal
by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900
directly through public health units that use their own booking systems
through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics
select pharmacies
primary care settings
If you are a hospital-based health care worker, you can also contact your employer to get vaccinated directly through your hospital’s vaccination program.
If you live in a retirement home, long-term care home, elder care lodge or congregate living setting, public health units will work with the homes to give you your shot within your home or at a mobile clinic.
Locations and timing for booster doses may vary by public health unit based on local planning and considerations.
Learn more: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine