Ontario expanding eligibility for third dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Due to the increasing threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the Province is expanding the eligibility for third doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to those who face the highest risk of serious illness from the virus.

The decision is based on consultations with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and aligns with recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Per the Province’s guidelines, those who are eligible for a third dose include those undergoing active treatment for solid tumors; in receipt of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell; have moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency; have Stage 3 or advanced untreated HIV infection and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; and those undergoing active treatment with the following categories of immunosuppressive therapies: anti-B cell therapies, high-dose systemic corticosteroids, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and other biologic agents that are significantly immunosuppressive.

The recommended interval between the second and third dose is eight weeks, and those who are eligible for a third dose will be contacted by their health care provider when they are able to receive it.

The locations and timing for third doses will vary depending on public health unit and risk factors associated with the spread of the virus.