NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO – The NWHU has officially received their supply of the Bivalent COVID-19 booters, and they are advising residents to start booking their appointment.
“A bivalent vaccine means it has two types of a virus in it, in this case, the original COVID-19 strain, and the Omicron variant. This practice has been used for many years in flu vaccines, which protect against multiple strains of influenza in one shot,” said Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU.
As per the Ontario Ministry of Health, the local roll-out is scheduled to begin on Sept. 12 for people ages 70 plus, Indigenous people aged 18 plus, long-term care and congregate settings, retirement home and elder care lodges, Immunocompromised people aged 12 plus, and people who are pregnant.
On Sept. 26, anyone over the age of 18 will be able to receive their booster.
“The bivalent booster dose is an effective way to protect yourself and your community from severe impacts of COVID-19,” said Dr. Young Hoon.
Those who have received a booter in the last three months should wait to get the last COVID vaccine.
Children and youth aged 5-17 can also now receive a booster dose, however, not the bivalent vaccine formula.
