Ontario expands fourth COVID vaccine dose to people aged 18 to 59 in the middle of the 7th wave. Globalnews.ca

Ontario’s top doctor has announced that the fourth COVID-19 Dosage eligibility is being expanded to the population 18 years of age and older starting July 14

Dr. Kieran Moore made the announcement at Queen’s Park on Wednesday morning.

Moore said the expanded vaccine eligibility would now include Ontarians ages 18 to 59.

People in this age group can now get a second booster if it is five months after the last booster shot and at least three months since you recently recovered from an infection.

The announcement comes as Ontario is well into its seventh COVID wave – powered by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

Moore said the new version has been in circulation since early June and is now the dominant strain based on wastewater data, test positivity, hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

He also said that the peak of this wave is expected in the next two weeks.

However, Moore said that this wave has a slower tempo than previous waves and is expected to be less severe.

“Stay up to date with your COVID vaccine,” Moore said, adding that expanded eligibility is a “real call to arms” for people who have an underlying disease or who are at risk.

He added that those who are young and healthy and who have had their first three shots will have “very good” immunity over the next several months.

“You can consider this independently from your healthcare provider, but if you are young, have no underlying medical illness and have had your first two doses, you are the primary series and your booster, I think currently waiting. It’s okay to do.”

“Your risk of hospitalization and serious consequences at the population level is very, very low.”

Moore also said those healthy individuals can probably wait to receive their fourth dose in the fall.

Moore said the province has the capacity to vaccinate 100,000 people a day, and added that about 16,000 doses were given on Tuesday.

more to come.