Are You Up-to-Date With Your COVID-19 Vaccines?
Written by Comms Team, October 14, 2022
The Pfizer Bivalent Vaccine Now Available as 6-month Booster Dose for those 12 years of age or older
While COVID-19 transmission remains very high, Peterborough Public Health is reminding residents that it is very important to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. For those over the age of 5, staying up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines means having a completed primary series followed by a booster dose every 6 months. Children aged 6 months to under 5 years old are currently only eligible for a primary series.
At this time, staying up-to-date means that those over the age of 5 should receive a primary series of 2 doses (3 doses for those who are immunocompromised) and then receive a COVID-19 booster dose every 6 months. For those 6 months to 5 years of age, staying up-to-date means receiving a primary series of 2 doses at this time. More information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.
“Peterborough Public Health is using new messaging to remind residents to receive their next booster dose.” Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health explains the change in messaging, “When the COVID-19 vaccine was first released, it was a 2 dose primary series (3 doses for immunocompromised individuals). Since the primary series was made available, research has clearly showed this important protection fades over time. With this discovery, a 3rd dose was offered, and then a 4th dose. Now, the language the province and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is using is ‘staying up-to-date’ on your vaccination, which for most people means having received a COVID-19 vaccine dose in the last 6 months.”
Dr. Piggott shares, “73% of residents in our region over the age of 18 are not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines. This is a significant proportion of our residents who are now more susceptible to severe symptoms or death due to a COVID-19 infection, in particular for those of older age. With COVID-19 transmitting at high rates in our community, I strongly recommend receiving a booster dose as soon as you are eligible.”
On October 7, Health Canada approved the Pfizer bivalent vaccine for individuals 12 years of age and older. This vaccine has been adapted from the original Pfizer vaccine to target the original COVID-19 virus as well as the BA 4/5 Omicron strain. The bivalent vaccine can only be used as a booster dose for those 12 years of age and older and has a recommended interval 6 months after the last dose was received. Starting on October 17, residents 12 years of age or older will be able to book an appointment for a COVID-19 bivalent booster dose to receive the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. Please note, the Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is only available for residents 18 years of age or older at this time. More information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.
Dr. Piggott explains, “Residents have the option to receive Moderna or Pfizer for their bivalent booster dose. The Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine protects against the original COVID-19 virus and an earlier BA1 Omicron strain, but has a benefit of a slightly higher dose, which to date has made it more effective especially for older adults. The Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine protects against the original COVID-19 virus and the more recent BA4/5 omicron strain. Both vaccines are safe and effective. I strongly encourage all eligible residents to take whichever bivalent vaccine is available to them or they prefer to stay up-to-date. We will be following and will communicate quickly on emerging science if one bivalent vaccine appears to be more effective in the changing landscape of COVID-19 variants.”
Residents are encouraged to review the PPH immunization schedule and clinic calendar for updates on eligibility and appointment availability at peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics. Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be booked over the phone or online:
- Online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ OR
- Over the phone by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900
As a reminder, flu season is approaching and it is important to stay up-to-date with the influenza vaccine. Influenza vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time for those over the age of 5 years.
Dr. Piggott, will be going live on Instagram on Friday October 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to discuss the bivalent vaccine. This will be a great opportunity for residents to ask any questions they may have about the vaccine. A recording will be posted on Instagram for those unavailable to attend the live http://instagram.com/ptbohealth. Please note: An Instagram account is not required for participation.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Peterborough Public Health- About the COVID-19 Vaccines.
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For further information, please contact:
Sarah Gill
A/Communications Manager
705-743-1000, ext. 352