Premier Doug Ford announces the expansion of COVID-19 booster shots for Ontarians ages 18 and up. December 15, 2021. (Capture via Premier of Ontario on YouTube.) Premier Doug Ford announces the expansion of COVID-19 booster shots for Ontarians ages 18 and up. December 15, 2021. (Capture via Premier of Ontario on YouTube.)
London

Province expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots

The Ontario government has announced all adults will be eligible to receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday.

Premier Doug Ford announced Wednesday afternoon that Ontarians 18 and older can start booking appointments for booster shots on December 20, 2021 if three months have passed after their second dose. The news comes as provincial health officials try to get ahead of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Last Friday, the province first announced booster shot eligibility for those aged 50 and up would begin Monday, with plans to expand capacity for those 18 to 49 on January 4, 2022. However, the recent surge in cases has forced the government's hand to do something sooner.

"As we combat the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, nothing matters more than getting these booster doses into people's arms," said Ford. "I am issuing a call to arms. We need every member of Team Ontario to stand tall and do their part as we work to protect our hard-fought progress and keep Ontarians safe."

Additional measures announced by the province include plans to partner with the LCBO to make millions of COVID-19 rapid tests available for free at the top 100 stores in the province. The pop-up holiday schedule for rapid antigen tests does not currently include locations in southwestern Ontario. Recently, rapid tests have been distributed by some companies for employees, otherwise the tests cost upwards of $40 at pharmacies.

Some capacity changes are also on the horizon. Starting Saturday, December 18 at 12:01 a.m., any venue used for activities such as concerts and sporting events, entertainment facilities, casinos with a capacity of 1,000 people or more will be capped at 50 per cent. Ford said food and drink establishments are not affected by the changes at this time.

The latest available data suggests that the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant and will likely become the dominant variant by the end of the month.

"I need you to book your booster as soon as you're able to because we know without a shadow of a doubt that these vaccines work and boosters are the best way to prevent the worst," Ford said.

Ontario reported 1,808 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths on Wednesday, the highest number of cases reported in a single day since May. The 7-day average of new cases is now 1,514 per day, up from 1,007 one week ago.

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