Ontario Expanding COVID-19 Boosters to Children Aged Five and Over Starting September 1

Starting 8:00am on September 1, Ontario is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 first booster doses to children aged five to 11 to provide an extra layer of protection ahead of the new school year.

Preventing respiratory illnesses in the first place is still the best tool to keep people healthy and out of hospitals, and to ensure Ontario’s economy stays open. Expanding access to boosters will give parents more opportunities to protect themselves, their families and their communities this fall as kids go back to school and as people start spending more time indoors.

In anticipation of the approval of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which may offer more targeted protection against the Omicron variants, the province is working with public health units and its partners to make sure doses are ready to be administered once supply is received from the federal government.

In addition, on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ontario is updating public health guidance to manage COVID-19 during the upcoming flu and respiratory season.

With Omicron-specific vaccines on the horizon, expanded booster eligibility, continued access to testing and antivirals, and updated public health guidance, Ontarians have the tools they need to make the best decisions for themselves on how to stay safe, healthy and out of hospitals as the province continues its efforts to support the recovery and rebuilding of the health system.

Some other key highlights of the fall public health guidance include:

• If you are in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, continue to self-monitor for symptoms. There is no longer a need to isolate but you should wear a mask for 10 days when in public.
• If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or runny nose, stay home from school, work and social events until your fever is gone and symptoms are improving, get a rapid antigen test or, if eligible, a PCR test. Wear a mask for 10 days after and avoid non-essential visits to high-risk individuals and settings.

Learn more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002264/children-aged-five-and-over-eligible-for-first-booster-shot

Newmarket-Aurora residents 6 months of age and older can now schedule vaccination appointments using York Region’s website: https://www.york.ca/health/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-clinics