News Release: Vaccine Appointments for Eligible Individuals Open Saturday Nov. 6

NIPISSING & PARRY SOUND, ON - On Wednesday Nov. 3, 2021, the Ministry of Health announced the expansion of third doses for specific groups of people. To be eligible you must have had your last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 168 days ago and meet the following criteria:

• Individuals aged 70 and over (born in 1951 or earlier);
• Health care workers and designated essential caregivers in congregate settings (including long-term care home and retirement home staff and designated caregivers);
• Individuals who received a complete series of a viral vector vaccine (two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine); and
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members.

As of Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, individuals meeting the criteria listed above who have had their last COVID-19 vaccine at least 168 days ago, along with individuals previously eligible for their third dose and those eligible for their first or second dose can book their appointment online, with appointments starting as soon as Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. All clinics will be offering both Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comirnaty and Moderna/ SpikeVax.

“We have moved back to an appointment booking system to help reduce long wait times for individuals,” explains Andrea McLellan, Director, COVID-19 Immunization Strategy. “Individuals may still walk-in to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic; however, they may face long wait times.”

How to book an appointment online:

1. Have your green Ontario health card ready.
2. Visit www.myhealthunit.ca/GetVaccinated and click “Book an Appointment” to open the provincial Online Booking System.
3. Follow the online instructions.

How to book an appointment by phone:

1. Dial 1-844-478-1400. The call centre will be open to book appointments from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
2. Please be patient. The Health Unit has all available staff working the phone lines in anticipation of your call. If you do not get through, call again at a later time.

Visit www.myhealthunit.ca/GetVaccinated to stay up-to-date on local clinic locations. Individuals can also visit a participating pharmacy to get their vaccination.

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Media Inquiries:

Alex McDermid, Public Relations Specialist
P: 705-474-1400, ext. 5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca