Starting today, London and Middlesex County residents who are eligible can receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine in order to boost their immunity and provide enhanced protection against the virus as it continues to circulate. Yesterday the Ontario government announced expanded eligibility for the vaccine, making a fourth dose available to people 60 years of age and older, as well as First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members 18 years of age and older. It is recommended that fourth doses be administered five months after an individual received their third dose of vaccine, however the additional dose may be administered at a minimum interval of three months after the third dose was given.
“We know that the protection the vaccine provides against COVID-19 has been shown to wain with the passage of time, with optimal protection in the few months following administration of the dose,” says Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “COVID-19 is still circulating in the community and making people sick, so this announcement is very timely. I encourage those who are eligible to book an appointment to receive this added protection as soon as they can.”
Fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine are available at the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s two mass vaccination clinics at the Western Fair District Agriplex and the Caradoc Community Centre in Mount Brydges, as well as the Health Unit’s pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics. In addition to offering a fourth dose of vaccine to those who are eligible, first, second and booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are also available at all Health Unit vaccination clinics. For a complete list of vaccination clinics and times, please visit https://www.healthunit.com/covid-19-vaccine#where-to-get-vaccinated. In addition to the Health Unit’s vaccination clinics, fourth doses are also available through local pharmacies.
Fourth dose vaccination dose appointments can be booked in advance at www.covidvaccinelm.ca, using Gate 1. While the Health Unit encourages booking a vaccination appointment in advance, fourth doses will also be available to those who are eligible to receive them, on a walk-in basis.
For a list of local pharmacies that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations or contact your healthcare provider to determine if they are administering the COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition to receiving a fourth dose of vaccine, the Health Unit continues to recommend wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces, maintaining a distance of six feet from others and limiting the time spent unmasked with individuals who aren’t part of your household.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Alex Summers, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit