Recognizing COVID-19 vaccine efficacy decreases over time, Southwestern Public Health is offering fourth doses to more people.
As of 9 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday), those 60 and older; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and older are eligible.
Fourth doses are available on a walk-in basis at the Southwestern Public Health office at 1230 Talbot Street.
The clinic operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
Pop-up vaccination clinics are paused between April 7 to 14 to increase staffing at the health unit’s core vaccination clinics.
The Tillsonburg clinics on April 14 and 28, and scheduled GO-VAXX Bus clinics in the region will continue as planned – visit the GO-VAXX Bus website for locations.
Pharmacies and participating health care providers are also offering fourth dose vaccines to eligible individuals.
“It is important for individuals who are most vulnerable to seek a fourth dose to increase protection against severe illness,” says Jaime Fletcher, Chief Nursing Officer and program manager of the COVID-19 vaccination effort at the health unit.
Southwestern Public Health anticipates high interest in fourth doses and asks the public for patience. If there is a line at a clinic, they ask that you return at a less busy time.
It is advised to wait five months between third and fourth dose for maximum efficacy; however, a fourth dose can be administered as early as three months since the third dose. It is also advised to wait at least 3 months since a COVID-19 infection before accepting a COVID-19 vaccine.
There is currently no fifth dose eligibility in the Province for COVID-19 vaccines.
Written by Ian McCallum
