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Ontario Expands Eligibility For Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine | Kawartha 411 active cases in the country and continues to make steady progress in vaccinating more individuals, offering a booster dose will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 according to Ontario government. "Keeping a low rate of infection in our communities and protecting our most vulnerable is how we can keep our schools, businesses and social settings as safe as possible while avoiding further lockdowns," said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. "To provide every individual the best protection while learning to live with the virus for the long-term, we are prepared to expand booster eligibility to all Ontarians pending clinical recommendations, with eligibility expanding this week to individuals who face a higher risk of contracting COVID-19." Based on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and in alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's (NACI) recent recommendation, the province will begin offering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the following vulnerable populations if at least six months have passed since their last dose: 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. Booster doses are being offered to these groups based on evidence of gradual waning immunity six months after receiving their second dose and a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Ontario Expands Eligibility For Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine | Kaw... https://www.kawartha411.ca/2021/11/03/ontario-expands-eligibility-for-t... 2 of 4 1/11/2022, 3:03 PM