Albertans 18 years old and older will be able to book a second COVID-19 booster shot five months or more after taking their first booster, effective Wednesday. .“As we continue to live with COVID, vaccines remain critical to lowering your risk of severe outcomes and protecting our health-care system,” said Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping in a Tuesday press release. .The release said a second booster dose will be of most benefit to people at high risk of severe outcomes. .It said people can book online through the Alberta vaccine booking system or by calling 811. Select pharmacies will be accepting walk-in appointments. .Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said COVID-19 is concerning, so “the best form of defence continues to be prevention.” .“I urge all Albertans who have not already done so to access their first booster dose to help lower their risk of infection and severe outcomes and to carefully consider their own risk factors when making choices about when to get a second booster of COVID-19 vaccine,” said Hinshaw. .The release said people should wait at least three months after a COVID-19 infection before taking a booster dose. .“Albertans are encouraged to continue to get their first booster and to consider their unique circumstances when making choices about second booster,” said Copping. .The Ontario government expanded eligibility for second COVID-19 booster doses to Ontarians 18 years old and older last week. .READ MORE: Ontarians aged 18+ years old allowed to take second booster shot.“As we continue to manage COVID-19 for the long term, we’re expanding second booster doses and extending the availability of free rapid antigen tests to give people the tools they need to stay safe and to ensure Ontario stays open,” said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones. .Second booster doses are being administered five months after a person takes his or her first booster. While most people aged 18 to 59 years old will have strong protection against COVID-19 from their first booster, the Ontario government said expanding second booster dose eligibility allows people to have more discretion.
