Port Hope, ON (October 3, 2023) - The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) would like to advise residents that the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the coming weeks for those at high risk and those aged 65 years and over.

The Ministry of Health released its COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance which recommends a dose of the XBB 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, providing protection for the new Omicron XBB variant. Residents at high-risk and 65 years of age and older who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine dose in the last six months or known COVID-19 infection can receive a dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine now. Residents who have not been previously vaccinated can receive the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine to start the series.

Immunization Eligibility Groups
Currently, the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine is available for the following groups:

• Individuals at high-risk for COVID-19 related complications or hospitalization (Group 1):
  • Pregnant individuals
  • Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
  • People ≥ 65 years of age
  • All children 6 months to 4 years of age
  • Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and their household members
  • Adults or children 6 months of age and over with chronic health conditions
  • Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities
    
    
• Health care workers and first responders

The next and final eligible group:

• Administration to the general public, beginning at the age of 12 years and up, will likely begin late October or early November.

For those 6 months to 11 years of age please call the HKPR District Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 x 1507 to book.

How to Book an Appointment
Appointments can be booked through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre online or by calling 1-833-943-3900 or 1-855-797-0007 for those who are deaf, hearing or speech impaired. Please only arrive 5-minutes prior to your booked appointment.

You can also access COVID-19 vaccine doses through your health care provider and select pharmacies. Find a full list of pharmacies here.

More Information
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine including eligibility and clinic availability please visit our Immunization Clinics webpage or call us at 1-888-866-4577.

View the HKPR District Health Unit’s Respiratory Infection Dashboard.

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