COVID-19 vaccine boosters now available for youth aged 12 to 17

The Province of Ontario recently announced expanded eligibility for COVID-19 boosters to include all youth aged 12 to 17. The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) also recently released new guidelines on the suggested interval between COVID-19 infection and booster doses for those aged 12 and older.

Booster doses for youth aged 12 to 17

Effective immediately, youth aged 12 to 17 can receive their third (booster) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Ottawa Public Health vaccination clinics. Drop-ins are welcome at all the clinics. Please visit the Ottawa Public Health webpage for clinic locations and hours. Please consult our website regularly as clinic hours are subject to change.

If preferred, booster appointments can be booked, starting Friday, February 18, online through the provincial booking system or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900. Boosters for this age group are also available at some pharmacies administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Individuals must be 12 years old on the day they receive the vaccine and six months (168 days) must have passed since their second dose. A longer interval like this between doses results in a stronger immune response and is expected to also be longer lasting. This age group will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Booster doses for people aged 12 and older previously infected with COVID-19

Vaccination continues to be the strongest protection against COVID-19, even for those with a prior COVID-19 infection. While infection alone may provide some protection, vaccination following infection is expected to strengthen the immune response and to provide a more robust and longer-lasting protection against COVID-19.

The National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) recommends waiting three months after the onset of symptoms or after a positive test for COVID-19 before receiving a booster dose of the vaccine.