Following today’s announcement from the Ontario Government, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) will begin offering the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty bivalent COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, October 17 to individuals aged 12 and over, as a booster dose to increase protection against the Omicron variant.
Additionally, the influenza vaccine will become available on Tuesday, November 1 through primary health care providers and pharmacies. It is important to note that the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time, or before or after each other for individuals aged 5 years and older. Children younger than 5 years of age are recommended to wait 14 days between receiving the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As it begins to cool down outside and as more people gather indoors, it’s a great time to get your COVID-19 booster dose to give yourself that extra protection,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We are entering the seasons where we customarily see an increase in respiratory illnesses, including both COVID-19 and the flu. Staying up to date with your vaccinations will help to reduce the risk of severe illness.”
Both the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines will be available at the MLHU’s Mass Vaccination Clinics at Western Fair District’s main building, Tuesday to Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. as well as at the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges, Monday to Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Appointments are strongly recommended and can be booked at www.covidvaccinelm.ca, using Gate 1. Appointments can also be booked over the phone by calling 226-289-3560, Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The vaccine will also be available at the MLHU’s Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics on a walk-in basis.
It is recommended that those who are eligible receive their booster dose six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series or after receiving their most recent booster. However, booster doses may also be administered as early as three months after an individual received their most recent dose of vaccine. Those who are at higher risk of severe outcomes, including individuals aged 65 and older, are recommended to receive booster doses at an interval of three months.
It is important to note that individuals who have had COVID-19 should wait a minimum of three months before receiving a booster dose of the bivalent vaccine.
For a complete list of COVID-19 vaccination clinics, including locations, dates and times, visit www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine-clinics. For more information about vaccine eligibility, please visit: https://www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility.
Media Contact:
Morgan Lobzun, Communications Coordinator, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-617-0571
Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit