Accelerated second dose appointments open today

OTTAWA – All residents who are 18 years and older and have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose will be eligible to book an accelerated second dose appointment as of today (June 28).

“In anticipation of increased demand, additional appointments will be added to the provincial booking system Monday morning,” city staff released in a statement Friday (June 25) evening.

 If your first dose was an mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer), your second dose appointment must be at least 28 days after. Those who have received AstraZeneca as a first dose can book their second dose appointment at least eight weeks after their first.

“Residents are reminded they may receive a different second dose of mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer) vaccine than their first dose at community clinics,” staff said. “Interchanging vaccines is safe and effective. The priority is to receive two doses of a vaccine to complete the series and be fully protected as soon as possible.”

To book a first or second dose appointment, visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine to access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-833-943-3900 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. You may also be able eligible for vaccination at a local pharmacy, at a pop-up clinic, or at the Bruyère vaccine clinic.

“Eligible residents can also register daily on the new vaccine wait-list tool to book last-minute, same-day COVID-19 vaccinations at community clinics for unclaimed doses,” staff said. “These appointments can open up at any time during the day and registered residents will be contacted by Ottawa Public Health by text, email or phone as they become available.”

If you have a second dose appointment scheduled in the provincial booking system and you end up booking another appointment elsewhere, please remember to cancel your original appointment. This will free up the old appointment for someone else.

“Ottawa is getting closer to community immunity,” staff said. “A record 19,736 doses were administered yesterday alone.”

Visit ottawa.ca or OttawaPublicHealth.ca for more on Ottawa’s vaccination distribution plan, including information about:

• Accessibility
• First Nation, Métis and Inuit populations
• Pharmacies
• Second doses
• Transportation to and from appointments
• Health cards
• Health care workers
• Searchable clinic map

Follow the city’s social media channels for updates on the provincial booking system. Sign up for the COVID-19 vaccination update e-subscription for regular news on the vaccine roll-out.