All adults 18 and older eligible for earlier second doses in Elgin, Oxford counties
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All adults 18 and older will now be eligible to rebook earlier second-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments, Southwestern public health said Friday in keeping with a similar provincial announcement that morning.
Earlier second doses will be available to all adults who received the first dose of an mRNA vaccine a minimum of 28 days ago. Youth younger than 18 and adults who received AstraZeneca for their first dose are not eligible under the undated guidance for an earlier second dose.
And, also starting Monday, individuals who receive their first dose will automatically be scheduled for their second dose sooner than 112 days, pending appointment availability.
Residents are asked to remain patient as appointment availability for the next two weeks may be limited.
Friday’s announcement opening eligibility to all adults follows an announcement by the health unit on Thursday that opened eligibility to residents who received their shots on or before May 30.
Dr. Joyce Lock, medical officer of health, said getting as many people their second-dose appointments as soon as possible remains key to battling the Delta variant of COVID-19, which is now circulating in the community and is expected to become the dominant strain of the virus in the coming weeks.
Adults can book online at covidvaccinelm.ca or 1-800-922-0096 ext. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
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