The province’s vaccine distribution task force has announced a new plan to allow Ontarians to get their second dose of vaccine sooner than expected.
The plan allows Ontarians to rebook “accelerated” second dose appointments (for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines) as soon as 28 days after their first dose, where appointment availability and eligibility allows.
Prior to today, many Ontarians were waiting up to four months between their first and second doses.
It’s not necessarily guaranteed there will be another appointment available sooner than the second dose appointment people have already booked.
The second dose has to be at least 28 days following the first dose, and rebooking is not required. People can keep their second dose appointments that have been booked already.
The overview for second dose booking eligibility is as follows:
- Older adults aged 80 and above can re-book a second dose starting May 31
- Adults aged 70 to 79 years old can rebook starting June 14
- Those who had the first dose between March 8 and April 18 including those with the highest health risk conditions, and special education workers can start rebooking on June 28.
- Those who had the first dose between April 19 and May 9, including people who are 50 years or older, or have high-risk health conditions can start rebooking July 19
- Those who received their first dose between May 10 and May 30 including those who cannot work from home or have at-risk health conditions can start rebooking Aug. 2.
- Youth and young adults between age 12 to 25 years old can start rebooking Aug. 9
- Those who have had their first dose from May 31 onward can start rebooking on Aug. 9
The second dose rollout plan is based on the confirmed vaccine supply (Pfizer) coming to Ontario between now and July. If there is an increased supply, the eligibility timeline could be accelerated.
The accelerated second-dose strategy is the result of a better supply of vaccines, and also in line with the Ontario Roadmap to Reopen which requires 20 per cent of adults to have a second dose of vaccine to enter step two of the reopening plan.
Booking your second dose
If you booked your first and second dose appointments already via the province’s online or phone booking system, you can use the same website or phone line to rebook a second appointment sooner when you become eligible.
If you received your first dose at a pharmacy or through a primary care physician, you can contact the pharmacy or primary care provider when you are eligible for an accelerated second dose. In some cases, pharmacies or primary care providers will reach out to people who are eligible for an accelerated second dose.
If you do not have a second dose appointment already and you become eligible for an accelerated second dose appointment, you can call the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca second doses will proceed on a 12-week interval using the first-in, first-out allocation method for appointments where supply allows.
You are encouraged to contact the location where you received your first dose of Astra Zeneca, or you can reach out to a pharmacy providing AstraZeneca second doses to book an appointment. You can find a list of the pharmacies online here.
