Ottawa Public Health increasing operations at clinics to administer fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose

The COVID-19 vaccine immunization clinic at the Nepean Sportsplex in Ottawa, Ont. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa Public Health says it's working to increase vaccination capacity at community clinics, mobile clinics and neighbourhood hubs, as Ontario expands eligibility for a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of 8 a.m., Ottawa residents aged 18 and over are eligible to book an appointment for a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Second booster doses will be offered at an interval of 140 days after an individual receives their first booster dose.

Ottawa Public Health is currently operating two community clinics – at JH Putman School and the Orleans Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA. While a new community is scheduled to open at Century Public School on July 19, the clinic at JH Putman School will close on July 30.

"Ottawa Public Health is increasing operations at community clinics, mobile clinics and neighbourhood hubs to respond to the provincial announcement regarding expanded availability of a fourth dose (second booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals aged 18 and over," Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Trevor Arnason said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

"Ottawa residents seeking their second booster are encouraged to reach out to local pharmacies using the provincial pharmacy locator to find those that provide COVID-19 vaccines. Some primary care physicians are also providing boosters."

Ottawa's associate medical officer of health says getting the second booster dose is something to consider.

"We certainly are in a surge, it's the BA.5 variant. We're seeing here in Ottawa an increasing wastewater counts, positivity rate, hospitalizations have been going up for a few weeks and now we're seeing more outbreaks in long-term care and congregate settings," Dr. Brent Moloughney told CTV News Ottawa on Thursday.

"Certainly, those at highest risk; those over 60s, those who are immunocompromised – certainly, highly recommend that they get it, and for others it's certainly something to consider."

The health unit is recommending the following high-risk individuals get their second booster dose as soon as possible:

• Individuals 18+ who are moderately to severely immunocompromised
• Individuals aged 60 and over
• First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over
• Residents of a long-term care home, retirement home, or Elder Care Lodge and older adults living in other congregate settings that provide assisted-living and health services

You can book an appointment at a community clinic through the Provincial COVID-19 Vaccination Portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.

Dr. Moloughney is encouraging people to get their first booster dose as well.

"There's probably about a third of the population of Ottawa who have not gotten their initial booster, their so-called booster dose, and would strongly recommend they get that."

Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore suggests healthy adults may want to wait until the fall, when a "bivalent COVID-19 vaccine" may be available.

"While we're making this option available, it is important to note that healthy, currently vaccinated individuals, continue to have significant, persistent protection against severe disease even six months after the last dose," Dr. Moore said Wednesday.

"However, there may be individuals with personal or medical circumstances in those age groups who may benefit from an additional protection of a second booster."

People are urged to speak with their health-care provider to discuss whether or not to get a fourth dose.

WIth files from CTV News Toronto's Katherine DeClerq