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4 bd 3 BIVALENT COVID-19 BOOSTER NOW AVAILABLE j RESIDENTS 18+ ELIGIBLE FOR 2 SHOT STARTING SEPT. 26 6 ROLAND CILLIERS rcilliers@metroland.com | Thursday, September 15, 2022 | A growing number of people can now get a new booster. The bivalent COVID-19 booster dose is now available to those in a specific high- risk groups. The shot can now be booked at www.halton.ca for residents) who are: +70 years of age and old - Health-care workers 18: year’s and old- er + Moderately to severely immunoco! promised individuals aged 12 and over + Pregnant individuals + First Nation, Inuit and Métis individu- als and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over + Residents of a long-term-care home, retirement home, or elder care lodge and older adults living in other congregate set- Metroland file photo Those at high risk are now eligible for the Bivalent COVID-19 booster. tings that provide assisted living and health services. Allresidents18 and older wi be ghigible for the booster dose starting The bivalent COVID-19 eer target the original COVID-19 virus and the Omi cron (BA.1) variant. This is the first vac- cine to target a specific strain of the virus. Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region's medical officer of health, said residents are encouraged to wear masks in indoor and crowded settings. “The Health Canada approved Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster dose is a great way to gain additional protection against the COVID-19 Omicron variants, especial- ly as we head into the colder months," said Meghani. To receive the bivalent COVID-19 boost- er dose, eligible individuals must have Book your Personalized Smile Consultation today 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville villageortho.ca insidehalton.com At Village Orthodontics in Oakville, we specialize in beautiful smiles using clear aligners and traditional braces. New Patients Welcome Schedule your complimentary consultation today! me —VILLAGE— “Gb orTHODONTICs completed their primary series, usually two doses, of COVID-19 vaccine. It is rec- nded individuals receive the biva- Tent ¢ COVID- 19 booster dose six months, or 168 days, after either completing their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine, including mono- valent boosters, or having COVID-19 infec- tion. availability of the bivalent CO- VID- 9 booster is initially limited and ap- pointments are based on provincial sup- ply. All bivalent COVID-19 booster doses at Halton Region Community Clinics will be offered by appointment only (no walk-ins) starting Sept. 13. To learn more about Halton Region's COVID-19 vaccine program, including eli- gibility for the bivalent booster dose and how to book an appointment, visit www.halton.ca/COVIDvaccines. NEWS WEEKLY ROUNDUP: SIX MORE COVID-19 DEATHS REPORTED IN HALTON Six more Halton lives have been lost to COVID-19 in the past week, Halton Region Public Health reported on Friday (Sept. Since its last reporting period (Sept. 2), Oakville, Burlington and Milton have each lost two residents. That brings the to- tal death count to 408 since the onset of the pandemic. Meanwhile, 158 new COVID-19 cases were reported i in the last week — up fro: 139 over the previous period. Oakville and Burlington have the majority of the new infections — with 71 and 51 respectively — while 27 cases ne reported in Milton, with nine in Halton Hills. Hospitalizations in Halton remain rel- atively stable, with 20 this past week com pared to revious week. Halton' four hospitals have a combined acute care bed occupancy rate of 107 per cent and ICU. bed: occupancy rate of 72 per cent. Both are across the region, with five in Oakville and two in Milton. — with files from Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE GREGORY PARK Ward7 ‘own Councillor Candidate rel a=Ye fo) av, ey-1a eer: |