All residents aged 18+ become eligible beginning September 26^th

PORT HOPE, ON (September 12, 2022) – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) would like to advise residents in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Northumberland County that the Ontario government is offering the bivalent COVID-19 booster dose to all Ontarians aged 18 and over, beginning with the most vulnerable populations.

Starting today at 8 a.m., bivalent COVID-19 booster appointments will be available to and can be booked for the most vulnerable populations, including:

• Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder Care Lodges and individuals living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services.
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over.
• Moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals aged 12 and over.
• Pregnant individuals aged 18 and over;
• Health care workers aged 18 and over; and
• Individuals aged 70 and over.

“I would like to encourage all residents aged 18 and over to receive the bivalent booster dose as recommended by the Ministry of Health,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Officer of Health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “We know that vaccine protection decreases over time, and now is the time to better protect yourself for the upcoming fall season with the bivalent booster.”

How to Book an Appointment
Appointments can be booked through the provincial COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900. The Health Unit will be uploading appointments to the provincial booking portal based on vaccine supply. Individuals that meet the criteria listed above will be able to receive the bivalent booster dose in clinics as of this week. All other individuals may book at appointment at clinics starting the week of September 26, 2022. .

Appointments can still be booked through any available HKPR District Health Unit clinics for 6 months to 4 years primary series, as well as 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 booster doses. All previously-booked booster appointments for September 12 to 25 will be honoured and, if available, the bivalent vaccine will be offered.

HKPR District Health Unit Vaccination Clinics and Pharmacies

• Sept 13, 15, 21, 23: Lindsay Office (108 Angeline St S, Lindsay), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only
• Sept 19, 20, 26, 27: Knights of Columbus Community Centre (232 Spencer St E, Cobourg), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only
• Sept 28 and 29: Lindsay Exhibition Centre (354 Angeline St N, Lindsay), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only

The bivalent booster dose will also be available through pharmacies beginning September 19, 2022.

Individuals are recommended to receive the bivalent booster at an interval of at least six months from their previous dose (and are eligible to receive the bivalent booster at a minimum interval of 3 months), regardless of how many boosters they have already received.

For More Information

• Read the Ontario Government’s press release: Ontarians Aged 18+ Eligible for Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Dose
• View our HKPR District Health Unit Vaccine Clinic webpage

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For media inquiries contact:

Ashley Beaulac, Manager of Communications and IT Services, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1212, abeaulac@hkpr.on.ca,

About the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides important public health programs and services to residents in Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Our dedicated team of public health professionals, led by our Medical Officer of Health, promote healthy living, protect against disease, and prevent illness and injury. We work with health care providers and community partners to address emerging health issues, service gaps and social inequities to support residents in being well and reaching their full potential. Our values of trust, engagement, accountability, and leadership guide what we do every day. Learn more at www.hkpr.on.ca.