COVID-19: The second booster shot is now available in Kingston, Ont. Area – Kingston | Globalnews.ca

Second COVID-19 booster dose eligibility has been expanded to all Ontario residents 18 and over.

The booking for the fourth dose started on Thursday morning.

Extended eligibility comes as seventh wave of pandemic hits ontario, powered by highly permeable omicron BA.5 Sub-Variants.

“The fourth dose will help. The problem is rapidly getting the fourth dose to see its effect on the seventh wave, and that will be the challenge,” Dr. Gerald Evans said.

In the KFL&A region, appointments for other boosters are available online.

“We recommend that everyone who is eligible and wants to receive a fourth dose booster is visiting our website, following the links and booking appointments. They will see the locations of clinics and sites where they can receive the vaccine. The channel is also available through pharmacies,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, the area’s medical officer for health.

Health officials recommend waiting five months after your third dose or at least three months after a COVID-19 infection before getting your fourth shot.

Kingston’s medical officer for health says there are some who can wait for a second booster.

“If someone is otherwise healthy and young, and has no life circumstances that require them to care for vulnerable individuals, they may consider postponing that dosage to fall as well,” Dr. Oglaza he said.

Officials say the new sub-version of Omicron is able to skirt around immunity built up by past infections or vaccines, but the fourth shot offers quick protection.

“If you’ve taken three doses and you get a fourth dose, that effect starts very quickly. It’s about seven days; it’s too early. It’s not like we’d talk two weeks about the flu shot. is, or about the two weeks we’ve talked about the first and second doses. That fourth shot gives you a real boost in immunity within seven days of getting that fourth shot,” said Dr. Evans

Dr. Oglazza says those who now receive their fourth dose may also be eligible to receive another dose in the fall, when the province says it will have a combined vaccine with two COVID strains that specifically Will target from Omicron.