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COVID-19 Vaccinations Available to High-Risk and 65 Years and Older

The XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at all clinical appointments.

Port Hope, ON (October 3, 2023) - The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) would like to advise residents that the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine will be available in the coming weeks for those at high risk and those aged 65 years and over.

The Ministry of Health released its COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance which recommends a dose of the XBB 1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, providing protection for the new Omicron XBB variant. Residents at high-risk and 65 years of age and older who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine dose in the last six months or known COVID-19 infection can receive a dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine now. Residents who have not been previously vaccinated can receive the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine to start the series.

Immunization Eligibility Groups
Currently, the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine is available for the following groups:

  • Individuals at high-risk for COVID-19 related complications or hospitalization (Group 1):
    • Pregnant individuals
    • Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
    • People ≥ 65 years of age
    • All children 6 months to 4 years of age
    • Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and their household members
    • Adults or children 6 months of age and over with chronic health conditions
    • Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities

  • Health care workers and first responders

The next and final eligible group:

  • Administration to the general public, beginning at the age of 12 years and up, will likely begin late October or early November.

For those 6 months to 11 years of age please call the HKPR District Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577 x 1507 to book.

How to Book an Appointment
Appointments can be booked through the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre online or by calling 1-833-943-3900 or 1-855-797-0007 for those who are deaf, hearing or speech impaired. Please only arrive 5-minutes prior to your booked appointment.

You can also access COVID-19 vaccine doses through your health care provider and select pharmacies. Find a full list of pharmacies here.

More Information
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine including eligibility and clinic availability please visit our Immunization Clinics webpage or call us at 1-888-866-4577.

View the HKPR District Health Unit’s Respiratory Infection Dashboard.

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Media Contacts
Ashley Beaulac, Manager of Communication Services, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1212, abeaulac@hkpr.on.ca or Marianne Rock, Manager of Communicable Disease and Prevention Control, HKPR District Health Unit, mrock@hkpr.on.ca, 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1486.

About the Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides important public health programs and services to residents in Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Our dedicated team of public health professionals, led by our Medical Officer of Health, promote healthy living, protect against disease, and prevent illness and injury. We work with health care providers and community partners to address emerging health issues, service gaps and social inequities to support residents in being well and reaching their full potential. Our values of trust, engagement, accountability, and leadership guide what we do every day. Learn more at www.hkpr.on.ca.

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