Residents 70+ eligible for an earlier second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Waterloo Region – Starting Monday, June 7, Waterloo Region will be accepting requests for an earlier appointment for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for adults in the 70+ age group, as well as individuals who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) on or before April 18.

Today, the Province announced it is expanding accelerated second doses ahead of schedule due to an increasing supply of vaccines.

“We’re excited to be accelerating the booking of second doses for everyone 70 years of age and older as well as anyone who had an mRNA vaccine on or before April 18,” said Shirley Hilton, Deputy Chief for Waterloo Region Police Service and head of the Waterloo Region Vaccine Distribution Task Force. “With an increased supply of vaccines, we’ll be able to complete first doses sooner and administer second doses according to the Province’s accelerated schedule.”

Individuals 70+, and those who received a first dose of Moderna or Pfizer on or before April 18, can request a second dose at a shortened interval by completing a form on the Region of Waterloo website: regionofwaterloo.ca/seconddose. 

Depending on the volume of requests and vaccine supply, it may take 2-4 weeks to be contacted about an earlier second-dose appointment. As a result, those who already have a second-dose appointment scheduled in the next few weeks are being encouraged to keep their original second-dose appointment.

After COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to keep following safety measures such as wearing a mask in public places and practicing physical distancing with those outside of your household.

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