COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

The Omicron XBB subvariant COVID-19 vaccine is currently available as a "Spring 2024" dose for individuals who are at increased risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 disease, or who are receiving a first dose. Eligibility requirements are listed below. All other individuals are advised to wait until Fall 2024 vaccine recommendations are released. 

Where to get vaccinated

Both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine are available from healthcare providers and participating pharmacies. Please contact your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to confirm vaccine availability. 

Please note that MLHU is not currently holding clinics for the Spring 2024 dose.

Children 6 months to 2 years of age

Children 6 months to 2 years of age can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy or healthcare provider. If the pharmacy or healthcare provider cannot provide the vaccine, please book an appointment at the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s (MLHU) Immunization Clinic by calling 519-663-5317, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Clinics will be held at least once monthly.

Please note: The Middlesex-London Health Unit’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Western Fair District in London, Ontario is now permanently closed.

Spring 2024 COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

Unimmuized individuals: can receive one dose now

An additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for individuals listed below:

The Spring 2024 COVID-19 vaccine campaign will run from April to the end of June. One additional dose of XBB vaccine may be recommended to individuals deemed to be at increased risk, including:

• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Adult residents of long-term care homes (LTCH) or other congregate living settings for seniors

• Individuals 6 months of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (due to underlying condition or treatment)
• Individuals 55 years of age and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 55 years and older

More than one dose may be provided to the following individuals:

• Children 6 months to 4 years of age who are completing an initial series (including an extra dose for those who are immunocompromised)

• Individuals who are 5 years and older who are currently unimmunized and are immunocompromised.

All other individuals who are not currently recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose in Spring 2024 should wait until further Ministry of Health recommendations. This includes previously immunized individuals who are not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who did not receive an XBB COVID-19 vaccine in Fall 2023, unless they are specifically recommended to receive a dose by their healthcare provider.

See more information for Ontario residents here.

NOTE: To align with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the terms “primary series” and “booster dose” will no longer be used. Dose eligibility depends on the when the last dose was administered, and if the individual currently qualifies, not on how many doses were previously received.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is available for individuals who are 12 years of age or older as an alternative to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

NEW! MLHU is no longer providing this vaccine at clinics. 

• Individuals who live in London and Middlesex County can call the following pharmacies to inquire about Novavax vaccine availability and appointments: 
•      Prescription Shop (at St.Joseph's Health Care, 268 Grosvenor St, London) at 519-646-6194 
•      CDS Pharmacy (1695 Wonderland Rd N, London) at 519-472-2345
• For individuals who live in other jurisdictions, please contact the public health unit in your area to ask where you can receive this vaccine.
• Individuals 12 years of age and older are currently eligible for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine if they are eligible for a Spring 2024 as an initial or additional dose, as listed above. 
• For individuals who are immunocompromised, an extra dose of this vaccine may be required. Please discuss recommendations with your health care provider.