COVID-19 vaccine spring booster recommendations
Advisory Alert
April 6, 2023
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To: Local Health System Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Key updates for the spring COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign
In Ontario, April 6, 2023, marks the start of the spring COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign. Please be advised that the Ministry of Health has updated the COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance document. This Advisory Alert provides an overview of key changes in the COVID-19 vaccine guidance. Please refer to the updated guidance document for all the details.
Eligibility for spring booster doses
Individuals in specific high-risk populations are recommended to receive a spring booster if at least 6 months (168 days) has passed since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. These individuals include:
- Individuals 65 years of age and older
- Residents of long-term care homes, retirement homes, Elder care lodges and other congregate living settings for seniors
- Individuals 18 years and older living in congregate care settings for people with complex medical needs
- Pregnant individuals
- Individuals 18 years of age and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
- Individuals aged 55 years and older who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 55 years and older
There is no evidence that individuals aged 5 and older who have received a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) on or after September 1, 2022, and are not in the high-risk groups listed above need another booster dose at this time. They may opt to receive another booster dose this spring provided it has been 6 months (168 days) since their last booster dose and with informed consent.
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose recommendations
A booster dose continues to be recommended for all eligible persons 5 years of age and older once their primary series is complete. The interval for receiving a booster is 6 months (168 days) after the last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Individuals 5 years of age and older who have not received a booster dose since September 1, 2022, continue to be recommended to receive it, in accordance with the vaccine recommended intervals outlined below.
Interval for receiving COVID-19 vaccine booster dose
The recommended interval for receiving a booster dose is 6 months (168 days) after last dose or previous confirmed COVID-19 infection*. Clinical discretion may be used in determining intervals prior to those recommended, primarily as a result of operational considerations. The closer the timing to the optimal interval the better, as evidence shows that antibody response is higher with longer intervals between infection and vaccination as well as between vaccine doses.
Stay up to date
For those 6 months to 4 years, being up to date means having a completed primary series. For those 5 years and older, being up to date means completion of the primary series and receipt of a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) on or after September 1, 2022. For specific high-risk populations, being up to date means the completion of the primary series and receipt of a booster dose within the last 6 months.
This definition is based on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses and is subject to change as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
For detailed information on COVID-19 vaccine administration and the current recommendations for a spring booster, please refer to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 webpage.
*NOTE: A previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 is defined as being:
- Confirmed by a molecular (e.g., PCR) or rapid antigen test; or
- Symptomatic AND a household contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
Dr. Penny Sutcliffe
Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on April 6, 2023